Drew Dowdell

XA... no Scion would get mad...

XB.... grrr... ditto

XC... arg! Volvo got that one

XD.... DAMMIT!! WE NEED A WHOLE NEW NAMING SCHEME!!

By Drew Dowdell

January 24th, 2013

Yesterday we reported that the Infiniti Q60 coupe would not go on sale until the 2016 model year. It turns out we were half right. That Q60 coupe arriving in 2016 is going to be first coupe to be based on the new Q50 sedan revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this month. However, in order to speed up the process of renaming the entire model lineup, Infiniti is performing what is likely to be the least costly mid-cycle refresh ever; the current G37 coupe will be renamed Q60 for the next model year and then soldier on into 2015 before being replaced. Infiniti wants to complete the renaming process that all of the current Infiniti models will go through by this summer.

Infiniti vigorously defends their renaming scheme, but what do you think? Is it wise to through out all brand equity, especially that of your most well known models, in the quest for uniformity?

Album: 2014 Infiniti Q50 Live

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I really like the interior... but what is with those center vents?

LOVE the color!

2016 model will be 2 years into the new model's run...almost time for an MCE

Gah! Ugly!

Unless things have drastically changed with the versa handling, you may find that department wanting.

This new Malibu was prolly designed before the decision was made to follow the imports and take away the customer's choice to order one with a V6.

Ford is an import now?

Sonata and Optima are the only imports that don't offer a V6 in their mid-size car.

Camry has one, Accord has one, Altima has one, Passat has one, Mazda 6 has one,

In fact, GM is arguably one of the leaders in this trend from when the Regal debuted.

This new Malibu was prolly designed before the decision was made to follow the imports and take away the customer's choice to order one with a V6.

Ford is an import now?

Sonata and Optima are the only imports that don't offer a V6 in their mid-size car.

Camry has one, Accord has one, Altima has one, Passat has one, Mazda 6 has one,

In fact, GM is arguably one of the leaders in this trend from when the Regal debuted.

Actually the Mazda 6 loses it's V6 with the re-design for 2014 with the 2.5 as it's only offering for NA. So much for Zoom Zoom at Mazda with a deficit of over 80 HP compared to the Korean twins and cars like the V6 CamCord and Altima.

GM can hardly be accused of following Mazda on this front when Mazda is 2+ years behind GM

+1 on the TDI

right near my grandmother.

What in the hell did they do to that Firetruck?

heck, if he gets it done, I'll stop by on a trip out there and do a story on it if he's willing.

+1 and nary a beige Camry to be seen

I'm not sure all the gains could be credited to the 9-speed. There will be engine improvements and better weight management as well.

I think "up to" $70k is not unexpected

Driven the same way, the Volt will post better numbers than the Cruze on the highway.... I know you know better than to just go by EPA rating.

The sport utility vehicle is right there in front GMT.... that light green Chevy Wagon. It's out skiing (see the ski racks on the roof?) and as a wagon, it has lots of utility! I'm surprised you couldn't see it.

clearly aiming for Baby Grand Cherokee

That kinda burns me.... interior aside, how hard would it have been for Chrysler to build the 200c concept as is? THAT car would have sold and would have been a premium vehicle to wear the Chrysler name. It would have allowed Chrysler to drop the lower end 300C and push transaction prices higher though volume would be lower.

bump. Any new ones?

It's not Mitt saying it now.

Happy Birthday snosage!

I've updated the article with an album of pictures from the show floor shot by Z-06 and BlackViper.

That would be an interesting Marketing Campaign. Import from Detroit!

Chrysler might take issue with that.

>>“The current Chryslers on the road today certainly don’t reflect where we’re headed. What I can safely say is we are deviating from where we are today, completely."<<

This sort of corporate commentary always amazes me. All I ever read out of the above is 'Our current stuff is a mistake, trust me that we'll get it right the next time'.

You just don't DO this sort of thing intentionally in commerce.

I really like the current 300, I don't know that they can go in another direction with it and not alienate the current customer base.

This new Malibu was prolly designed before the decision was made to follow the imports and take away the customer's choice to order one with a V6.

Ford is an import now?

Sonata and Optima are the only imports that don't offer a V6 in their mid-size car.

Camry has one, Accord has one, Altima has one, Passat has one, Mazda 6 has one,

In fact, GM is arguably one of the leaders in this trend from when the Regal debuted.