Neil Winton of the Detroit News documents Infiniti’s European success:

Infiniti has said its sales in Western Europe will nearly double in the year ending March 2012 to between 7,000 and 8,000. Infiniti also predicts a strong sales increase for Russia, where volume should rise to between 7,000 and 8,000 compared with about 6,000 the previous year. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn wants to more than triple Infiniti’s annual sales to 500,000 by 2016 and win 10 per cent of the global luxury market. Ghosn also wants to attack China, where Infiniti market share is two per cent. The target is at least eight per cent by 2016.

The M30d is expected to be the biggest seller in Europe, powered by a 235 hp 3.0-liter V6 diesel. The M37 has a 3.7-litre V6 316 hp gasoline motor. The third engine option is the M35h gasoline-electric hybrid. The hybrid combines a 302 hp 3.5-liter V6 with a 67 hp electric motor and will allow electric-only driving of up to maybe two or three miles, on a good day.

You can read Neil’s entire article here.

The new live assistant and telematics feature is a live voice driver assistance service similar to On Star but with an accent on concierge services. The system permits Infiniti drivers to connect with a live call center for any type of service and will also allow the call center to even download driving instructions right to the cars navigation system. The new rear collision technology will automatically apply the brakes if when the driver backs out of a park space and threatens to make contact with an unseen object. 

It was also confirmed that the JX will come equipped for a V6 engine, probably the 3.7 liter and a continuously variable transmission. 

Also, the second row will be able to slide forward to allow more leg room for third row passengers and also will be able to hold a baby seat that doesn’t have to be removed in order to get into the third row. 

All said so far, this looks to be a crossover that will appeal to families that want luxury but with an emphasis on convenience. 

Keep you posted! 

Ric Fafard    888 756 1919

I was driving to work here at Infiniti of Norwood the other day and as I slowed my car down for an upcoming red light I got this mysterious clunk emanate from underneath. The resolution turned out to be nothing more than adding some transmission fluid to correct the problem. This got me thinking what about the rest of the car?  So I decided to have a full inspection of the car. 

I had my tires checked for uneven wear that could indicate under inflation, unbalanced tire or a misaligned wheel.  I had battery, belts, hoses, and all my fluids checked as well as headlights, tail lights and my turn signals to make sure they were all in good working order as well. 

We have a great service department here at Infiniti of Norwood so for all youInfiniti owners get your car in for a check up. Remember, by taking these small steps your car will stay running newer, longer and will keep you safe on the road.

 Ric Fafard  888-756-1919

2012 Infiniti JX Concept

 Yesterday in Pebble Beach California, Infiniti unwrapped the new JX Concept.  Seeing that the JX will bridge the gap between the FX and QX its exterior sort of blurs the two models together. There are certainly some unique curves on this car most notably the sigma shaped D pillar. 

This is going to be a seven passenger crossover, which will come in front wheel drive or all wheel drive versions. Since this is still considered a concept car I am not sure of  final details yet but I would assume it will be powered by Infiniti’s 3.7 liter engine. 

Expect more details to emerge later this year when the production version will be rolled out at the 2011 Los Angeles auto show in November. 

Production is expected to begin in Smyrna, Tennessee the beginning of the new year with the JX in our showroom here at Infiniti of Norwood sometime early spring of 2012.

Ric Fafard  888-756-1919

Could this be your new G Convertible?

Infiniti FX just by servicing your car at Infiniti of Norwood!  You could also win a VIP trip for two to a Formula One Race in Great Britain, Australia, Spain, Monaco, or Canada!  There are also 200 prizes of a two-year Infiniti Essential 1 Elite Maintenance Vehicle Service Plan.  Entering this contest is easy:

Come to Infiniti of Norwood between August 1, 2011 and September 30, 2011 to have your vehicle serviced (can be any type of service on your vehicle), then go to www.InfinitiAtYourService.com and enter the unique PIN then select “Go” to pre-populate your information (VIN, first and last name, street address including city, state and ZIP, e-mail address, telephone number [including area code]). Create and confirm a password and then enter your current odometer reading as of date of registration. You will receive one (1) entry into the Sweepstakes Drawing and one (1) online play in the Instant Win for a chance to win an Instant Win Prize.

For all the rules and details, visit www.Infinitiatyourservice.com

“The new Infiniti Personal Assistant benefit is a great addition to the Infiniti Total Ownership Experience, providing true ‘anything, anytime, anywhere’ concierge service with the personal touch of talking to real people, not some computer data site,” said Infiniti Americas Vice President Ben Poore. “There’s seemingly no limit what Infiniti Personal Assistant can do for you – adding to the pleasure of driving and owning an Infiniti vehicle.”

Infiniti is the first luxury automobile brand to offer this type of service nationally in the United States. Infiniti purchasers are registered with the service before taking delivery of their new Infiniti M, G, QX, FX or EX, and can begin utilizing the service immediately. Along with owners’ cell phones, assistance is also available via e-mails, text messaging and online portals.

The Infiniti Personal Assistant benefit is offered at no cost for the first four years of Infiniti ownership. In addition, 4-year companion accounts (providing access from an additional phone number) are also available at a minimal cost, as are 4-year Certified Pre-Owned and 1-year Infiniti pre-owned vehicle accounts.

“Whether making dining reservations at your favorite restaurant, making an online purchase, or just catching up with the latest sports scores, there are just so many benefits to using the Infiniti Personal Assistant that you’ll wonder how you got along without it before,” adds Poore.

The rollout of Infiniti Personal Assistant has begun, after a highly successful nine-month test period in four major cities, and will be available in all markets within the next 90 days. Top user topics to date have included directory assistance, dining suggestions and driving directions. Infiniti Personal Assistant is supported by MyStar, Dallas, TX.

STEP #1: PREPARE YOUR PHONE

Turn Bluetooth on:

1. From the main screen, select SETTINGS
2. Select GENERAL
3. Select BLUETOOTH

STEP #2: PREPARE YOUR VEHICLE

1. Press the button
2. Say “Connect Phone”
3. Say “Add Phone”

STEP #3: PAIR YOUR PHONE TO THE VEHICLE

On your phone:

1. From the main screen, select SETTINGS
2. Select GENERAL
3. Select BLUETOOTH
4. Select MY CAR
5. When prompted enter the PIN code “1234″ and press DONE

On your vehicle:

1. Say a name for the phone
2. The system confirms the name
3. Say “Yes”

STEP #4: ADDING YOUR CONTACTS TO THE VEHICLE PHONEBOOK

Each paired phone has its own dedicated phonebook. Two phonebook setup options are available depending on your phone’s support for Phonebook Access. 

Option 1: Phones which support Phonebook Access:

When a phone is connected to the system, the phonebook is automatically downloaded to the vehicle. No additional setup is required to begin voice-dialing contacts by name. 

Option 2: Phones which DO NOT support Phonebook Access:

On your vehicle:

1. Press the button
2. Say “Phonebook”
3. Say “Transfer entry”
4. Say the name of the contact

You may either transfer the contact via Bluetooth or enter the number by voice command. 

To enter a phone number by voice command:

1. Speak the digits of the phone number

To transfer a phone number via Bluetooth, on your phone:

1. Phone provides no means to transfer contacts via Bluetooth

As per usual, Infiniti is being very secretive about this new model. There are not many details as of this time, however expect much more information when the JX makes it official debut at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 18, 2011. What is known about the new crossover is that it will challenge the conventional thinking when it comes to luxury SUV’s, and will be at the top of its class when it comes to performance and available technology.

We at Infiniti of Norwood will welcome this new addition to the Infiniti lineup with open arms. We hope that you will be excited as we are when this amazing model debuts. As your Boston Infiniti dealer, we hope you have a great summer, and hope to see you soon here on the Automile!

This has been an ongoing trend for the past few years.  The truth is that new car sales have been down due mostly to the current recession and stagnant economy that has been a reality since at least 2008.  Because new car sales have been lower than in the past few years, there are less and less vehicles being traded into car dealerships as well, creating this inventory shortage that we see today.  With 2009 new-vehicle sales representing about 60% of what they were in 2005, up to 40% fewer used cars were being traded in. 

Values are up so sharply for some cars that it’s tempting to trade in a car that’s only about a year old.  According to financial experts, the values of used cars are likely to stay very strong throughout 2011.  If you are looking for a good time to trade in your vehicle for a newer model, there may never be a time better than this.  Car dealers are in an interesting spot, in which they need your current vehicle more than they ever have.  In turn, it may be to your benefit to sell or trade your car at the peak of its value to upgrade to something that you would ordinarily wait for.

Infiniti of Norwood has always been very aggressive with our offers on trade-in vehicles, but we are now more aggressive then ever.  Simply put, we need your car and we are willing to pay top market value for it.  There has never been a better time for you to get the most money for your car than now. 

Chris Goodhue is a Business Development Representative at Infiniti of Norwood.  If you have questions or comments about this blog, please call 888-756-1919.

I am back to work here at Infiniti of Norwood after an extended July 4^th weekend for me.  It’s a rarity for me so needless to say spending two or three days in a row with time off, I enjoyed every moment of it.

The Norwood 4^th of July parade was once again a great success. Everyone who I saw or spoke with had a great time. I spent the evening watching the fireworks from our neighboring town of Walpole from my balcony and it was awesome. It was definitely a great take.

Now that I am back to work, I thought I would mention that Wednesday’s are massage day here at the dealership. The therapist is awesome and you walk away feeling invigorated and ready to go another ten rounds.  So if you are scheduled for service, just browsing, what ever your business here is, check it out! She is parked in our service waiting area and is here from 9am until 4pm. 

The company she works for is called Infinite Massage and they are a National network of professionally licensed, insured and screened chair massages and mobile spa providers.