2027 Infiniti QX65 midsize crossover. The five-seater is the latest entry to the Nissan luxury brand's expanding portfolio.Ed GarstenLow-slung in bright red with sharp, black accents and a front-end that announced itself, the new Infiniti QX65 mid-size, five-seat crossover looked like an aggressive visitor barging into a portfolio with relatives that could be described as distant.Having arrived just this past June, the QX65 is the newest model in the luxury brand's portfolio, set to expand by almost 300% in the next five years.Rear view of 2027 Infiniti QX65.That growth will come as the Infiniti and Nissan brands share investments in platforms, revealed Eric Ledieu, vice president Infiniti Americas, during a wide-ranging interview at the Nissan Technical Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan, outside Detroit.AdvertisementAdvertisement"At the end of the decade, we see our showroom as a seven vehicle showroom, one sedan and six SUVs, from medium all the way to extra large, and a few in between," said Ledieu.Expanding Infiniti's offerings is in line with what Ledieu observed is an increased "fragmenting" of the luxury segment where each vehicle serves a specific purpose that includes a premium adventure, a purely premium experience with off-road capabilities or moving around down comfortably, but in luxury.Eric Ledieu, vice president, Infiniti Americas."We want to be able to have that coverage of about 85% of market," Ledieu explained. "We want to be able to be in both those places, and really, if you look at our SUV lineup, by the end of the decade, we'll be able to do all those things."One area Infiniti isn't likely to expand into is battery electric vehicles, opting instead to concentrate on hybrids, based on an overall decline in EV sales and surge in consumer hybrid interest.AdvertisementAdvertisementInfiniti's first hybrid offering will be a midsize SUV based on the company's series-based hybrid technology, followed by frame-based vehicles with a more traditional parallel hybrid system, according to Ledieu."There's definitely an element of convenience that's lost by going fully battery electric, and really, most of that is when you get out of these really dense urban populations, and you go throughout the United States of America and so that infrastructure still has a lot of work to be done," declared Ledieu. "Is there a future that includes more battery electric than today? Likely, but is it going to be the mass the mass way of the business? I don't think so."Ledieu's sentiment mirrors comments made by Nissan chairman of the Americas Christian Meunier in a June interview where he noted EVs represent less than 6% of the total market and with Tesla capturing more than 50% of that, "there's not a lot of market left for all the other OEMs."Indeed, by the second quarter of 2026, hybrids captured an all-time high 14.1% of the U.S. market, with total volume up 82% since 2023, according to Cox Automotive.AdvertisementAdvertisementAs for Infiniti's sales for the first half of the year it's a mixed story.Through June, the brand's overall sales were down 1.7% with retail sales off 3.7%. But Ledieu looks at those numbers as a bit of a lagging indicator of Infiniti's sales trajectory pointing out continued growth of the QX60 and QX80 and that June was the first full month of sales for the QX65.2027 Infiniti QX80 is the brand's three-row flagship SUV."When you look at how all things wrapped up, it was great, and matter of fact, for QX80, it was our very best first quarter fiscal year for us, second quarter for the calendar year ever on QX 80 business, so really, really strong," he said.One gambit Infiniti is trying in order to attract more male customers is creating a sport trim that offers a little more aggressive styling and sportier interior.AdvertisementAdvertisementLedieu believes the ploy is working, offering, the sport trim represents between 25%-35% of the brand's business and perhaps capturing about 40% of QX65 sales, "at least that's what we've planned. Time will tell us whether we gauged it properly, but it's a very meaningful segment for us."One piece of news Ledieu is closely watching is the stalemate over negotiations for a new USMCA trade agreement which would affect the costs related to imported vehicles and parts.But even though Infiniti's parent company is Japan-based Nissan Motor Co. Ledieu points out the U.S. represents 80% of the brand's business and by the time its portfolio reaches seven models, five will be built in the United States and this year alone, about three-quarters of Infiniti vehicles will be built in Tennessee.A long-time Nissan employee, Ledieu was elevated to his current position only last February from his last post as director, Infiniti sales and regional operations.AdvertisementAdvertisementHaving been in his current role for just over four months, Ledieu has set out three definite goals that start with "covering the base."He explains that as offering vehicles in segments where the consumer is, representing 80% to 85% coverage of the of the luxury industry.Numbers two and three are bringing back performance elements to the brand, and maintaining the brand's reputation for a positive total ownership experience.When combined, the three goals are all focused, he says, on one thing: "the immediate task for Infiniti is to get it back on its feet."This article was originally published on Forbes.com
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