Infiniti to here

The new year will not only herald the arrival of new models, it will also bring in new brands and manufacturers.

Nissan will enter the crowded luxury car market with some of its Infiniti range, starting from the third quarter of 2012. The brand is manufactured in Japan and the first models on offer will be the Infiniti FX sport crossover, the G37 sport convertible and coupe and the Infiniti M luxury performance sedan.

Initially they will be sold in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane through partnerships with established retailers.

The historic British marque, Morgan, has been revived and a few of a limited run of its first output, the Eva GT, will make their way here.

And yet another German-based car maker, Opel, is setting up shop, basing itself at sister brand Holden’s Port Melbourne headquarters from the second half.

Its top-end car is the AWD Insignia.

Niche Proton-owned British brand Lotus is also making a big push into Australia, appointing a new importer, Ateco Automotive, increasing its model range and slashing its prices.

Indian manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra, which holds a controlling stake in Korea’s SsangYong Motor, and the Chinese manufacturers Chery, Great Wall and Geely, which owns Volvo, will keep hammering away at the bottom end of the market.

Kia will enter the luxury market in 2014 with its Genesis brand and slightly away from the theme, we may even get the new Maserati Kubang SUV. It will be powered by Ferrari and built by Jeep on a Grand Cherokee platform. Is nothing sacred?

BRW

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