Johan de Nysschen Leaves Audi for Infiniti

Johan de Nysschen will join Nissan's Infiniti luxury brand as senior vice president of Nissan Motor Company in charge of the Infiniti division based in Hong Kong starting July 1st reporting to Andy Palmer, Nissan Motor Company Executive Vice President, product planning, business strategy, marketing communications and responsible for the Infiniti division.

De Nysschen just left his role as President of Audi of America which he held for the past seven years. During his 19 years at Audi he also served in executive positions in South Africa and Japan. Prior to joining Audi, de Nysschen worked for BMW in South Africa. He holds a bachelor's degree from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and an MBA from the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

He moves from a U.S. position at Audi where sales records are being set monthly to a global responsibility at Infiniti, a luxury brand that is just launching a worldwide footprint. Geographically, he moves from the Washington, D.C. area to Hong Kong, the former British colony and English-speaking gateway to China and an area where one might expect a factory to be built at some point. Best of luck to Johan in his new challenge.

2012 Infiniti M Hybrid For $53,700 On March 16

The all-new 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid, which goes on sale March 16, will cost $53,700 with a 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine, which paired with the 50 kW electric motor, provides a hybrid system net power of 360 horsepower. The Infiniti M Hybrid features the all-new Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid™ system, a one-motor, two-clutch parallel hybrid design that utilizes precise, high-speed motor control technology enabled by the powerful Lithium-ion battery, allowing power to be delivered directly to the vehicle's 7-speed automatic transmission. Estimated fuel economy is 27 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, with combined fuel economy rated at 29 mpg.  The new Infiniti M Hybrid can drive on electric power alone at speeds up to 62 mph and can travel on electric propulsion for up to 1.2 miles at a time. Tests have shown that in mixed driving, the Infiniti M Hybrid is able to drive in electric only mode for as much as 50% of the time. 

The 2012 Infiniti M performance luxury sedan is also offered in four non-hybrid models, which go on sale March 2, with a starting M.S.R.P. of $47,700 for the Infiniti M37 RWD, $49,850 for the Infiniti M37 AWD, $59,100 for the Infiniti M56 RWD and $61,600 Infiniti M56 AWD.

Infiniti To Debut QX56 SUV At New York Auto Show In Early April

Nissan/Infiniti will participate in the New York Auto Show after no announcements in Detroit, except for a media event showing off the two vehicles above which had already been shown. The new M sedan made its World Premiere in Beverly Hills a month ago.

The 2010 Infiniti G37 Sedan and G37 Coupe are now on sale with a 328 horsepower 3.7-liter VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift) V6 engine delivering and 270 lb-ft of torque mated to a choice of a 7-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission. Also available is the Infiniti Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system (G37x Sedan AWD, G37x Coupe AWD).

The G37 Sedan starts at $33,250 and the Coupe at $36,050 with the G37 Convertible available in early February. The 2010 Infiniti G37 Sedan and G37 Coupe are now on sale with a 328 horsepower 3.7-liter VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift) V6 engine delivering and 270 lb-ft of torque mated to a choice of a 7-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission. Also available is the Infiniti Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system (G37x Sedan AWD, G37x Coupe AWD). The G37 Sedan starts at $33,250 and the Coupe at $36,050 with the G37 Convertible available in early February.

The all-new 2011 Infiniti M sedan is scheduled to go on sale in late March available in two model designations – the Infiniti M56 with an all-new 420-horsepower 5.6-liter VVEL Direct Injection Gasoline™ V8 and the Infiniti M37 with a 330-horsepower 3.7-liter VVEL V6. The Infiniti M56 and M37 will be offered in a choice of rear-wheel drive or with Infiniti’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system.

Lots of news from Nissan and Infiniti but budgets have prevented full blown displays and press conferences in certain markets.