Latest news with #TiagoCastro
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Wire
INFINITI to Preview Future Product Direction With QX65 Monograph and Twin QX80 Concepts at Monterey Car Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--INFINITI returns to Monterey Car Week with an audacious concept vehicle debut that accelerates INFINITI's product renaissance into the future. The concept, called QX65 Monograph, will be joined by two additional concepts that explore the confident and powerful potential of the all-new QX80 flagship. QX65 Monograph builds on the daring principles of INFINITI's Artistry in Motion design language, blending precise craftsmanship with sleek and seamless body forms. It makes its debut at The Quail on Friday, Aug. 15, and provides strong hints to the future of INFINITI's expanded model lineup. Media in attendance at The Quail will enjoy an in-depth walkaround of the concept's styling elements from Alfonso Albaisa, senior vice president of Global Design, at 12 p.m. local time. Also present will be Tiago Castro, vice president, INFINITI Americas. Alongside QX65 Monograph, INFINITI designers will showcase two stunning design exercises that imagine the possibilities of the all-new QX80. Dubbed QX80 Track Spec and QX80 Terrain Spec, these evocative models exemplify the innovative ways INFINITI clients make the most of life with their vehicles. Following its debut at The Quail, QX65 Monograph will be showcased on the Concept Lawn at Pebble Beach on Sunday, Aug. 17. Media attendees are invited to join INFINITI at its Hospitality Suite during the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where the brand proudly continues its 19-year partnership with the iconic event. About INFINITI INFINITI Motor Company is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, with operations around the world including regional offices based in the Americas, China and INFINITI International Markets in Dubai. INFINITI premium automobiles are assembled in manufacturing facilities in Japan, North America and China. INFINITI design studios are located in Atsugi-Shi (near Yokohama), London, San Diego and Shanghai. More information about INFINITI and its industry-leading technologies can be found at You can also follow INFINITI on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and see all of our latest videos on YouTube.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
Infiniti Concept Vehicles Hint At Powerful New Direction
It's a time of both change and reckoning for Nissan's Motor Co.'s luxury brand Infiniti. Faced with increased competition, lower sales and the effects of tariffs imposed on vehicles it imports to the U.S. from Japan, the brand is making moves to refine its product line and boost shopper consideration--moves that include the introduction of three concept models at next week's Pebble Beach Automotive Week near Monterey, California. That's a lot on the plate of longtime Nissan executive Tiago Castro, who was elevated to vice president of Infiniti Americas just this past April, and who noted in an interview, new tariffs on imported vehicles and parts to the U.S. were announced on his second day on the job. The three concept vehicles scheduled to make their debut on August 15 include the QX 65 Monograph. It's a two-row SUV based on a vehicle to be produced in the U.S starting next spring, employing Infiniti's Artistry in Motion design language, according to Castro. It's aimed at customers who might otherwise consider the Lexus RX series and similar competitors, he said. Joining the QX 65 are two QX80 concepts meant to push the brand to extremes. 'Think about a vertical going all the way to track, speed, excitement, the other one another type of excitement, but it's over-laying off roading, so we can see which one resonates the best with this type of clients, and we can use a new fast to market approach to perhaps bring one to the market as well,' said Castro. Such decisions on the fate of the concepts and indeed, the direction of the brand, won't be made in a vacuum. The company will be holding what Castro termed all-retailer meetings on August 19 and 20 in Las Vegas of both Nissan and Infiniti dealers that will include Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. global CEO Ivan Espinosa. 'It's going to be a joint Infiniti and Nissan meeting where we can show the overall power of the corporation and the direction and, more importantly, the commitment to Infiniti-- the understanding that a strong Nissan requires a strong Infinity,' Castro said. 'I think that's an important statement for our dealer network, for our clients and for our employees, that we are fully committed.' Infiniti is looking to re-ignite U.S. sales that were down 9% in the first half of the year, compared with the first six months of 2024. Some of that decline is attributed to lower supply of the QX50 and QX55 which are built in Mexico. Production was 'paused' after import tariffs were imposed by Pres. Donald Trump, Castro explained. Indeed, the tariffs are top of mind at Infiniti. While the QX 60 is built in the U.S. at the company's Smyrna, Tennessee plant, its other models are produced either in Mexico or Japan. For the time being, sourcing of those vehicles being imported is not changing, Castro said, although 'there's always studies being done.' Competitors such as General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. recently reported absorbing the tariff costs reduced their bottom lines by $1.1 billion and $800 million in the second quarter, respectively, rather than raise prices. But Infiniti is dealing with the added financial burden through a combination of self-examination and programs aimed at improving profitability and boosting sales. For one, the company is reviewing 82 different programs given to dealers aimed at helping them sell more vehicles. 'We are able to reduce some of those programs, get the cost of them and deploy to advertise and generate more demand, sell more vehicles as a result, make more money, and, in conclusion, deliver what we're working for,' explained Castro. 'So it's not just about good cost, it's about being more efficient and driving the right demand.' In addition, Infiniti's Performance Plus program simplifies the way retailers are reimbursed, reducing the number of key performance indicators from 15 to just five, according to Castro. Infiniti's Switch Up campaign was launched in July to help boost consumer consideration. 'This campaign provokes customers that are in shopping mode digitally to scratch their head and say, why not Infinity?' said Castro. The early results are encouraging with digital traffic on the Infiniti website the highest ever last month, according to Castro. He also noted sales of the QX 80 in the first half of the year were its best ever. Just months into his leadership of Infiniti, Castro is feeling very optimistic about the brand's future, fired up by the more powerful direction hinted by the three concept vehicles to be unveiled next week, internal changes and aggressive consumer outreach. Still, there's work to be done. 'So there's lots of opportunity,' Castro declares. 'It's about being efficient, finding our special area that we can play.'
Bloomberg
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
Infiniti Unveils Full-Size Luxury SUV QX80
Nissan's Luxury vehicle division Infiniti recently reset its luxury full-size SUV offering after 14 years by launching the QX80. We got a look at the new unveil with Tiago Castro, Infiniti Group Vice President (Source: Bloomberg)
Newsweek
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
As Its Parent Company Stumbles, Infiniti Hopes to Shine
Infiniti, like its parent company Nissan Motor Corporation, is in the midst of a pivotal year. The premium arm of the Japanese company has fresh product to offer customers and a lineup that is bringing in more affluent buyers than ever before in North America. Deliveries of the redesigned, full-size, three-row Infiniti QX80 are ongoing and a refreshed QX60 is making its way to dealer lots nationwide. In the next fiscal year, Infiniti is expected to begin selling its new QX65 SUV, and two years later, an all-electric Infiniti SUV will come to market. "This is a very important year for Infiniti. We have now the QX80 at full speed. We're going to have QX80 for the full year," Tiago Castro, vice president of Infiniti Americas, told Newsweek. "We had the best-ever QX80 month in February and the best-ever March, which made the best-ever first quarter of the calendar year for QX80. So that tells me that we're building the momentum," he said. QX60, a midsize three-row SUV, is more popular with U.S. audiences in 2025 than the QX80. Its design and technology refresh is focused on lifting it in a fashion similar to the success the company has had with QX80. "What we're trying to do with QX60 with this refresh is bringing the design cues of QX80 into the QX60 so they're really showing that family resemblance. And then parallel to this, bring all the same technology, things like the Google infrastructure that supports our IT system that gives your ability to do so much with the Klipsch audio system with up to 20 speakers, which is pretty amazing," Castro said. The company will introduce Sport versions of both SUVs, a package that adds darkened fascia and wheels to the model in place of brighter finishes. Unique upholstery options and badging are also included. "These next few years are make-or-break for Infiniti. Once a legitimate contender in the U.S. luxury space, especially in the 1990s and early 2000s with performance-oriented sedans and a clear design identity, the brand has since lost momentum and market relevance. Years of underinvestment, shifting leadership, and an unclear product vision have left Infiniti struggling for identity in a crowded luxury market dominated by German, Korean, and even electric startups," Paul Waatti, director of industry analysis at AutoPacific, told Newsweek. Castro is relatively new to his role. He had one full day on the job before the Trump administration's first major tariff announcement. "It's been very educational," he said. Instead of standing still and taking time to settle into the role, Castro dove in and took immediate action. "I've been meeting with dealers throughout the country. We set up Zoom calls. I met over 20 of them the other day in Nashville. We had dinner with another ten," he said ahead of the New York International Auto Show in mid-April. He relayed that the dealers have expressed to him that the QX80 is "extremely exciting." Castro said: "It started to build momentum, and we needed to stay consistent, focused on that model to really create a halo for this brand. And, they believe the QX60 now has a lot more potential than we have shown [in the past]. So, we need to work together with the retailers to continue to consistently deliver results and build momentum and let customers know how great the product is, but more importantly, how great the client experience is." Reports late last year indicated that Nissan Motor Corp. was on the brink of bankruptcy. On May 13, the automaker revealed the Re:Nissan plan, a pathway forward to enhance performance and create a leaner, more agile business. There is considerable cost savings planned for the current fiscal year. This and future restructuring under the plan is expected to create "a framework to secure operating profitability and free cash flow in the automotive business by fiscal year 2026," the company said in a press release at the time. Despite the very public woes of Nissan Motor Corp., Castro said, "There's a lot of optimism. The new management team coming in with Christian Meunier [Nissan America's chairman who was appointed in January], who is extremely focused on product. He believes in Infiniti wholeheartedly, and the new [Nissan Motor Corp.] CEO Ivan Espinosa. In fact, Christian, Ivan and I worked together for three years in Brazil. So, we know each other well. Ivan is very aligned with this direction. So, we're going to build a product plan that will continue to build on the momentum." Grille of the 2026 Infiniti QX60. Grille of the 2026 Infiniti QX60. Infiniti Waatti said: "Compounding the challenge facing Infiniti is the instability of parent company Nissan. As Nissan battles global restructuring, resource constraints, and a still-fragile brand perception, Infiniti is left walking a tightrope—tasked with reinventing itself while relying on a parent brand fighting its own battles." "That said, the next phase offers a narrow but real opportunity. If Infiniti can capitalize on electrification, modern design, and an improved ownership experience, while finally delivering products that compete head-to-head with luxury stalwarts, it may reclaim relevance. But make no mistake: this is a final proving ground. There's little room left for incrementalism or misfires," he said.
