Infiniti, the luxury automotive marque from Japan, on Thursday announced that it would sell its range of sedans, coupes and cross-overs in South Africa from June 2012.

Already a competitive contender in countries around the world, the introduction of Nissan's luxury performance brand to South Africa is a first for the African continent.

Nissan SA Managing Director Mike Whitfield is delighted by this development: "We are thrilled to be bringing Infiniti to South Africa," says Whitfield, "and we are confident that it will be as successful here as it is in many other regions around the world."

Infiniti is the luxury automotive brand from Japan with a model line-up of sedans, coupes, SUVs and crossovers. Initially, the Infiniti model range for South Africa will comprise the Infiniti FX performance SUV, EX luxury compact SUV, the Sporty G Coupe, the spirited G Cabriolet and the unique Infiniti M luxury sedan.

Infiniti enthusiasts will be able to purchase and service their vehicles at Infiniti Centres in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. The first centres will open in Hatfield, Pretoria and Melrose Arch, Johannesburg in mid-2012, followed by Durban and Cape Town, which will open in the fourth quarter of this year.  
 
Continued Whitfield: "Infiniti delivers a unique combination of peace of mind, hospitality and driving pleasure. Our tagline, 'Inspired Performance' illustrates that Infiniti cars are so much more than machines that move you from one place to another. Infiniti has an emotional, inspirational appeal, offering a very personal style of modern luxury for people inspired by originality and design who seek enriching experiences."

Whitfield says Infiniti's service philosophy is a core part of the brand's DNA: "For Infiniti, it is always about the unwavering commitment we make to our customers. The 'Total Ownership Experience' is part of that promise and it is founded on three pillars. The first is driving pleasure. Second is our hospitality - we want our guests to feel comfortable and this is always presented in a luxurious and inviting environment. The third pillar is peace of mind. We believe that every customer should enjoy outstanding service throughout their ownership of an Infiniti and be able to count on knowledgeable people who are committed to ensuring their satisfaction."

In South Africa, Infiniti will be strengthened by a financial division: Infiniti Financial Services, which will focus on vehicle finance in the luxury market and offer innovative products and services to both companies and individuals.

The South Africa Infiniti introduction follows those in Indonesia, Panama Malaysia and Singapore last year, while this year will see Infiniti expanding into Chile and Australia.