EUROPEAN SALES MARCH - Infiniti sales increase by nearly 200% in the first Quarter and by 126% in March.

• Fastest growing UK automotive brand in 2016 – registrations up by 126% year on year
• First quarter European retail sales pass 6,000 cars, a 192 % increase year-on-year
• In March, Europe sales grow 232% to more than 3,900 cars
• Game changer – nearly 4,000 Q30s sold in the first quarter
• Record number of dealership openings – footprint grown by 33%
• First-ever Infiniti network of Authorised Service Partners

Infiniti, in Western Europe, has made its largest ever footprint increase since it began trading in 2008. The premium car manufacturer has announced record business results for the European markets for March and for the first quarter of 2016. 

More than 3,900 cars have been sold in Western Europe during March, a record month with an increase of 232% compared to March 2015. During the first quarter, the brand sold more than 6,000 vehicles across the continent, almost three times as much as in the same time period of the previous year. 

The strongest contributor to this result has been Q30, the all-new Infiniti premium active compact.

Throughout EMEA (Europe, Russia, Middle East and Africa), Infiniti sold almost 10,000 vehicles, up 51% from Q1 of 2015. In line with the growth in sales, the company established more new dealerships at a record pace. In the last twelve months Infiniti opened 25 new Centres.

Best sales growth in history

In March and during the first quarter of 2016 Infiniti UK is the fastest growing brand in the country, according to the recent registration figures released from the SMMT. In March the brand increased its volume by 153% month on month and by 125% year on year, more than any other vehicle manufacturer in the UK across both periods.      

In France, retail* sales went up to 1,359 cars in the first three months of 2016 versus 345 in the respective period of 2015. During the month of March, almost 1,000 Infiniti cars were sold in in France, nearly five times as many as in March 2015.

From January to March, Infiniti in Germany has almost tripled retail* sales up to 863 in the first three months of 2016. In the Italian market, 570 vehicles were sold year-to-date. The Middle East is among the most successful regions for Infiniti globally, with more than 2,400 vehicles sold in the last three months, which accounted for the best ever sales figures for three consecutive months in Infiniti Middle East’s history.  

Q30, the strongest contributor

Q30 has demonstrated its game changer capabilities, being the bestselling Infiniti model in the region since its market introduction. In the first quarter of 2016, the UK was the strongest Q30 market with almost 1,000* vehicles sold, followed by France where nearly 800 Q30s found customers. In Germany as well as in Italy more than 500 models of the Infiniti premium active compact car have been sold so far. Nonetheless, Q50 keeps being popular. Infiniti sold almost 10% more of its premium sports saloon from January to March than in the same time period of the year before, putting more than 1,300 cars on the continent’s roads.

Record extension of Infiniti network

In the last twelve months the company opened 25 new Infiniti Centres – more than ever before in a single year. Infiniti in France is currently leading the list, offering its cars through a network of 20 dealerships across the country. In the UK two new outlets have recently commenced trading in Cambridge and Bristol making the total up to 11 centres across the country plus two retail outlets in Westfield London and Stratford. In addition to this – starting from zero – Infiniti has signed up a European-wide network of Authorised Service Partners in the last 52 weeks. The first one in the UK is now operating in Exeter. As such, 38 Service Points ensure customers a quick and reliable assistance and repair service.

François Goupil de Bouillé, Vice President of Infiniti Europe, Middle East and Africa emphasizes: “We are very proud to have almost tripled our sales in Europe in the first quarter and nearly reached the 10,000 sales mark in our entire EMEA region. Infiniti is becoming a serious contender in the European premium automotive market. Our Q30 premium active compact has initiated a period of accelerated growth with new models, like QX30 active crossover, the upgraded Q50 saloon and the brand-new Q60 sports coupe, joining the portfolio this year.”

Globally, Infiniti ended the first quarter of 2016 with exceptionally strong sales numbers. In March the brand achieved an all-time record by selling more than 24,900 vehicles globally, an increase of 22% over March 2015. This marks the 19^th consecutive month with global year-on-year growth. In the first quarter, Infiniti sold more than 57,200 vehicles, which surpasses the first quarter of 2015 by 9%. It is the best ever first quarter in Infiniti’s history worldwide.