Infiniti is a luxury auto brand owned by Nissan. The company was founded in 1989 and started selling vehicles in North America. By 2010, Infiniti’s marketing network included dealers in over 50 countries. In 2020, Infiniti relocated its headquarters from Hong Kong to Yokohama, Japan, where its parent company Nissan is based.
The company focuses on North America, China, and the Middle East. Nissan’s US division sold 919,086 vehicles in 2021, up 12% compared to 2020. But Infiniti’s US sales dropped 26%. In 2021, Infiniti generated $4.1 billion in revenue versus $1.6 trillion in 2020. Small SUVs account for 34% of Infiniti’s sales. [1]
Nissan introduced the Infiniti brand to target US premium and luxury vehicle segments. Infiniti’s latest top-selling models include QX60 SUV, QX55, QX50 compact crossover, Q50 sedan, Q60 coupe, and full-sized QX80. The company added wireless Apple CarPlay to most of its 2022 lineup and updated a redesigned version of the QX60 three-row SUV.
Despite the tech upgrades, Infiniti still uses gas-only engines. In Nov 2021, Nissan announced plans to transform Infiniti into a 100% all-electric brand by 2030. The marque exited several markets in 2020, including Europe, the UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea. Infiniti left these markets due to stiff competition from Mercedes-Benz, Ford Lincoln, BMW, Audi, Acura, Lexus, and Jaguar. [2]
Here is an in-depth analysis of top Infiniti’s competitors and alternatives:
1. Mercedes-Benz
Year founded: 1926
Headquarter: Stuttgart, Germany
Mercedes-Benz is a leading German automaker that manufactures luxury vehicles. The company offers SUVs, sedans, trucks, buses, and coupes. In 2021, Mercedes-Benz had 152,000 employees and reported a 9% increase in revenue to 133.9 billion euros. [3]
Mercedes-Benz manufactures all its vehicles with a touch of class. The company also operates car repair services in more than 30 countries globally. Since its founding, Mercedes-Benz has nurtured a reputation by manufacturing classy and durable vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class is one of the most popular luxury cars worldwide. This top-selling model outperforms Infiniti in performance, tech, and sophistication. Consumers in the sedan market can purchase Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Mercedes-Benz is a formidable Infiniti competitor.
2. Ford Motor Company
Year founded: 1903
Headquarter: Dearborn, Michigan
Ford is an American auto manufacturer that offers sedans, trucks, SUVs, and heavy commercial vehicles. The company produces luxury cars under the Lincoln brand. In 2021, Ford had 186,000 employees working in its 100 facilities and made $136.3 billion in revenue.
Ford’s Lincoln competes against Infiniti in the luxury segment. Ford discontinued Lincoln MKZ and Continental, transforming Lincoln into an SUV-only brand.
In 2021, Lincoln sold 91,000 cars in China and 86,929 vehicles in the US. Its sales increased 48% in China and dropped by 18% in the US. The brand will launch a new Lincoln Zephyr in 2022 and a fully-electric Lincoln Aviator in 2024. Lincoln is a worthy Infiniti competitor. [4]
3. BMW
Year founded: 1916
Headquarter: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
BMW is a leading car manufacturer that owns several auto brands. It is synonymous with high-end luxury and comfort. In 2021, BMW had around 133,778 employees and made $118.94 billion in revenue. [5]
BMW is renowned for manufacturing technology-oriented premium vehicles and motorcycles. The company has 31 production and assembling centers in 14 countries globally. In 2019, BMW introduced an all-new BMW 3 Series with advanced technologies.
All BMWs strike a balance between high quality, style, and performance. BMW 3 Series is one of the best alternatives to Infiniti.
4. Lexus
Year founded: 1989
Headquarter: Nagoya, Japan
Lexus is the luxury auto division of the renowned Toyota. It is the top-selling Japan-made premium car brand, marketed in more than 90 countries and territories. In 2021, Lexus generated $19.3 billion in revenue. Its global sales for 2021 increased by 106% to 760,012 vehicles.
Lexus has several models that compete with Infiniti cars, including Lexus IS 300 and 350 versus Infiniti Q50. The Lexus RX sport-utility is the brand’s best-selling model in North America. In 2022, the automaker announced several changes to the RX to boost its success.
The 2022 model has an RX 350 trim with a 295-horsepower 3.5L V6 engine. Eco-conscious consumers can buy the RX 450h hybrid with an electric motor. The company also announced the all-new RZ 450e, its first all-electric vehicle. Toyota and Nissan are the top competitors in the auto industry. This rivalry trickles down to their subsidiaries, pitting Lexus against Infiniti. Lexus is one of the top alternatives to Infiniti. [6]
5. Acura
Year founded: 1986
Headquarter: Torrance, California
Acura is a luxury car brand owned by the Japanese automobile company Honda. The company offers several models, including SUVs, Acura RDX, hybrids, NSX, coupes, and TLX sedans. In 2021, Honda sold about 4.1 million automobiles and generated $113 billion (14.55 trillion Japanese yen) in revenue. [7]
Acura TLX competes against Infiniti in the sedan segment. This stylish sedan offers advanced driver aids and solid dependability. Acura’s parent company Honda is a leading manufacturer of cars, motorcycles, aircraft, marine vessels, and power equipment.
Honda ventured into luxury vehicles in the 1980s after introducing Acura. Continuous improvement propelled Acura to a top-tier player in the luxury vehicle market, with millions of sales in the US and Europe. Acura TLX is one of the best alternatives to Infiniti.
6. Audi Group
Year founded: 1909
Headquarter: Ingolstadt, Germany
Audi Group is a multinational auto conglomerate and a subsidiary of Volkswagen. The group owns several luxury car and motorcycle brands, including Audi, Ducati, Lamborghini, and Bentley. In 2021, Audi Group had around 91,000 employees and generated €53.1 billion ($49.97 billion) in revenue. The four brands produced 1,688,978 vehicles in 2021.
Audi, Lamborghini, and Bentley are luxury cars like Infiniti’s vehicles. The group delivered 8,405 Lamborghinis, 293,069 Audi Q5 SUV, and 59,214 Ducati motorbikes. The Audi Q5 SUV retained its place as the group’s best-selling car globally, followed by the Audi Q3, Audi A6, Audi A4, and Audi A3. Unlike Infiniti, Audi already has several all-electric vehicles on the market.
In 2021, the group sold 81,894 pure-electric models. According to Audi, an improved chip supply chain will boost its output by 100,000-200,000 vehicles. Audi Group offers the best alternatives to Infiniti across the board. [8]
7. Porsche
Year founded: 1931
Headquarter: Stuttgart, Germany
Porsche is a luxury auto brand owned by Volkswagen Group since 2012. The company produces luxury vehicles, including sports cars, sedans, and SUVs. In 2021, Porsche had around 24,000 employees and generated 30 billion euros in revenue.
Both Porsche and Infiniti operate in the luxury automobile market. But Porsche is expanding into electric and autonomous vehicles. In 2020, the company introduced its first modern-era electric sports car.
Porsche Taycan gained traction in North America, with high demand in the market. The brand will produce electric SUVs by 2022. Porsche is one of the best alternatives to Infiniti. [9]
8. Jaguar Land Rover Limited
Year founded: 2013
Headquarter: Whitley, Coventry, UK
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is a British automotive giant and a subsidiary of India’s Tata Motors. The company produces luxury cars and utility sport vehicles bearing the Jaguar and Land Rover marques. In 2021, JLR had around 44,000 employees and generated 19.73 billion British pounds in revenue. [10]
Jaguar and Land Rover compete against Infiniti in the luxury vehicle market. Both marques have long histories going back to the 1940s. The Jaguar XE is an alternative to Infiniti Q50, while the latest-generation Range Rover luxury SUV competes with Infiniti QX60 SUV.
In 2021, JLR sold 420,856 vehicles, including 334,586 Land Rovers and 86,270 Jaguars. But the company has not delivered 154,000 cars due to semiconductor shortages. This figure includes 36,000 Defender off-roaders and 30,000 Range Rover luxury SUVs. JLR is one of the top Infiniti competitors. [11]
9. Aston Martin
Year founded: 1913
Headquarter: Gaydon, United Kingdom
Aston Martin is an automobile manufacturer that produces luxury sports cars and grand tourers. Its vehicles are aesthetically designed but cost more than Infiniti’s luxury vehicles. In 2021, Aston Martin had around 3,000 employees and generated 1.095 billion GBP in revenue.
Aston Martin is synonymous with high-end luxury vehicles. The brand operates the Aston Martin Formula 1 team and around 160 car dealerships in 53 countries. Its F1 team scored only six points in the first half of the 2021 season, but the company developed a faster car and introduced it for the Spanish GP.
F1 races advertise Aston Martin’s innovative development processes to the target audience – millionaires who are captivated by fast cars. The company has been associated with British culture since 1982 as the royal car dealer for the Prince of Wales. Aston Martins is an ultra-luxurious alternative to Infiniti. [12]
10. Alfa Romeo Giulia
Year founded: 1910
Headquarter: Turin, Italy
Alfa Romeo is an Italian luxury car manufacturer owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Its 112-year history includes countless race wins and several world’s most evocative road cars. Did you know that Enzo Ferrari, the founder of Ferrari, started his career at Alfa Romeo?
Alfa Romeo was one of the most iconic racing car brands globally. But its vehicle variety shrunk to two models, Giulia saloon and Stelvio SUV. In 2022, the company launched Alfa Romeo Tonale to provide a family SUV option and bolster the bottom line.
The Tonale competes against Infiniti QX60 SUV and big-hitters, such as the Audi Q3, BMW X1, and Volvo XC40. But it has more character than most mid-size SUVs on the market. Alfa Romeo is an iconic alternative to Infiniti. [13]
11. Volvo Group
Year founded: 1927
Headquarter: Gothenburg, Sweden
Volvo is a Swedish auto manufacturer specializing in sedans, wagons, buses, and trucks. Its top-selling luxury sedan models include Volvo S60 and Volvo S90. In 2021, Volvo Group generated $41.1 billion in revenue. [14]
Volvo S60 and S90 compete against Infiniti cars. The S60 is Volvo’s premium compact sedan with a 250-hp engine, while S90 is spacious with a more powerful 316-hp engine. Both have unique designs and advanced safety features. Volvo is one of the top alternatives to Infiniti.
References & more information
- Karkaria, U. (2022, Jan 4). Nissan-Infiniti: US deliveries swing to 8.7% gain in 2021. Auto News
- Duffer, R. (2021, Sep 30). What’s New for 2022: Infiniti. The Car Connection
- Carlier, M. (2022, Apr 4). Revenue of Mercedes-Benz Group 2020-2021. Statista
- Traugott, J. (2022, Jan 17). Lincoln’s 2021 Sales Report Is Bittersweet. Car Buzz
- Carlier, M. (2022, Mar 22). Global revenue of BMW Group 2007-2021. Statista
- McIntosh, J. (2022, May 19). Lexus teases all-new 2023 RX ahead of the end-of-May reveal. Driving Magazine
- Carlier, M. (2022, May 20). Honda’s worldwide automobile sales 2002-2022. Statista
- Autocar News (2022, Mar 17). Audi Group posts record profits despite global sales dip. Autocar
- Carlier, M. (2022, Mar 16). Porsche’s revenue 2011-2021. Statista
- SRD (2022, Mar 10). Jaguar Land Rover: global sales revenue 2011-2021. Statista
- Gibbs, N. (2022, Jan 14). Jaguar Land Rover sales slip 1% in 2021 due to weaker demand. Auto News
- Senior Editor (2022, May 21). Aston Martin: Red Bull Car’s “Similar Concept” was a Surprise. The Race
- Pitt, T. (2022, May 21). Alfa Romeo Tonale review: hybrid SUV leads the Italian renaissance. City A.M.
- Carlier, M. (2022, Mar 22). Volvo Group – Statistics & Facts. Statista
- Featured image by Ali Zangi
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