Infiniti hasn’t really said much about other than to describe the car vaguely as “a stylish, high performance five-seat luxury vehicle with zero-emissions technology.”

As a side note, Nissan launched its Leaf electric car earlier this year, and the new Infiniti is expected to share some of that hardware. The new EV will join the 2012 Infiniti M35h hybrid as part of Infiniti’s emerging “eco performance” strategy.

Ric Fafard  -  888-756-1919

Infiniti has not given much in way of details yet, handling this version similar to how they teased us with the JX. What I do know is the FX “Sebastian Vettel Edition” is based on the FX50 Sport Premium Package and will feature changes to the engine, transmission and body, which should enable it to reach speeds in excess of 186-mph, Whoa! 

The interior will also be personalized to Sebastian’s taste, taking the already exclusiveness and individuality of the FX to new heights. The Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany will debut this beauty on September 13, 2011. Not sure about American production but I do know that Sebastian has his eyes set on the Autobahn with its derestricted speed limits in the very near future.

 Stay tuned. 

Ric Fafard  888-756-1919

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

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

He started off with Soybean, vegetable oil and animal fats that can be used to make diesel fuel. Next was corn, when combined with 15% gasoline and 85% ethanol which we know is derived from corn, ends up as E85 gasoline and can be used on “Flex Fuel” vehicles.

Then there are solar powered and electric cars which we are seeing more and more of. 

Do you think some day hopefully in the not too distant future, we will be able to dethrone gasoline and become less dependent on foreign oil?

Ric Fafard  888-756-1919

 What a great time of the year for ice cream I think. Whether it’s from your local supermarket or your favorite ice cream parlor, nothing beats it on a sweltering day.  

Here in Norwood we have Friendly’s here on Route 1, and then there is Cold Stone and Bubbling Brook in our neighboring town of Westwood.   From soft serve cones to a blown out sundae, it’s making me want to go get one right now.  I have been to all of them before and each one has that one special you can’t pass up.

So go ahead,  indulge yourself at least once this summer because doesn’t get better than now.

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.

I was raised a military brat and our one or two week family vacations were always interesting because I lived most of my childhood overseas, we went to some pretty amazing places. Then it occurred to me that my summers were structured as well. From being a member of the library “Book of the week Club”, or scouting events, even time spent at summer camp, we continued to learn throughout the summer even though we weren’t in a classroom.

I decided to take a moment to look on line and was pleasantly surprised by all the activities that are available in Norwood. I read a wonderful blog about Norwood’s public library, and yes they have a book club. I visited Norwood boys and girls scouting website’s, took a glimpse at all the activities associated with Norwood’s recreation department whether it was basketball, field hockey, soccer, they had it all. I even noticed that Norwood has a kid’s day camp dedicated to teaching dance. I know that all of these summer activities helped me as a kid stay active, discover new interests, learn rather than “brain drain”, and forge new relationships. The more things change the more they really do stay the same.

With all these activities available to our Norwood residents, everyone should check them out!

Meantime, as I was following up on my daily responsibilities here at Infiniti of Norwood, my mind had a tendency to drift occasionally to thinking about the beach, barbeques, maybe a weekend get away to the cape. It really is the best time of the year I think. Even during the work week there is still enough daylight hours in the evening when I get home to sit and relax outside enjoying what summer nature has to offer.

Here at Infiniti of Norwood, we occasionally break out the barbeque pit during the day and serve up some, dogs, burgers, perhaps some steak tips, and the side dishes that accompany it, potato salad, green salad, macaroni salad, you get the idea. It surely beats our amazing snack bar in the service lounge.

I played my first round of golf on Sunday, Father’s day, with my son at Norwood Country Club, located at 400 Providence Highway just up the road from Infiniti of Norwood. As I am thinking of summer fun, I noticed the Town of Norwood officially opens its pool season June 25th. This is a classic summer activity for kids and adults alike to cool off on those hot, sticky days. One of my favorite summer activities is the summer concerts on the common in the center of Norwood which begins June 26th. I break out my lawn chair and trek into town for a couple hours of great music while enjoying a cool summers evening breeze. Summer is also a time for parades and no one can resist a parade, I know I can’t. I am excited and eagerly waiting for Norwood’s July 4th parade which runs through town and is always a great take.

When I come across one of those not so nice summer days, whether it’s overcast, raining, or just god awful humidity, all I have to do is think about this past winter and the nearly 74 inches of snow we received and I say to myself it’s better than having to go out and clean snow off the cars!

I began my business career in the petroleum industry, holding various positions involving either the procurement of or retailing of gasoline. I spent nearly twenty years doing this until the 2006 when I felt the pinch of an ailing economy and the sudden news of an eminent layoff. With very few options available, I thought about all the things I liked doing from childhood right up until that day and what kept coming back was “cars”.

As a kid, I had a penchant for being able to name any year, make, model car I saw on the road. We used to have contests when we went on family outings, you know, those long drives where you were stuck in the car for four, five, maybe six hours. It helped to pass the time and was better than singing ninety nine bottles of beer on the wall.

Well I decided that I wanted to try the car industry and I have never looked back since. I started at Honda first, did a short stint with an exclusive pre owned dealership, when I was asked to join a Ford dealership on the south shore as their internet manager. I was nervous that the transition from sales to internet would difficult but it wasn’t. It was then that I knew I had found my niche, the internet.

I was offered a phenomenal opportunity here at Infiniti of Norwood and once again I know that I have made the right decision coming here. This is an award winning dealership with outstanding product specialists that know the cars in and out, warm and friendly showroom, and the best service advisors and technicians in New England.

As I grow with Infiniti of Norwood I will continue to post my experiences and look forward to meeting new faces everyday.

If you love your job you aren’t working!