00:00 Pras Subramanian
We’re at the Quail event at the Infiniti stand. I’m here now with Thiago Castro, the head of the Americas here at Infiniti, with the new vehicle, the QX65. Now, it’s a concept but we’re going to see a similar car. Talk to me why this product is so important in that ultra competitive mid-size SUV space.
00:16 Thiago Castro
First of all, thank you for for joining us here, Pras. It’s a it’s an honor to have you here. QX65 monograph, beautiful vehicles you see. Uh we’re trying to attack this uh the biggest segment in the industry, really for the luxury industry, with a true roll fastback, really sexy SUV which will bring more customers to Infiniti and allow us to continue our growth path. Um so that that’s the event here. Showing the vehicle in front of a lot of people. This is a concept as you just said, uh but it gives you a good hint of what’s coming next spring, 2026.
00:57 Pras Subramanian
So, yeah, but next spring, right. So, but but Infiniti though is in the middle, I I believe, of a product Renaissance. Talk to me about that and how the QX kind of sits in that in that perspective.
01:07 Thiago Castro
Absolutely. So we’re in the middle of a product Renaissance that really started with the QX80 uh last year. This vehicle has built been building momentum. We actually had this year the best seven months ever in sales for the QX80. So really good moment. Uh we are now transition to launching the new QX60. That’s our three row SUV uh is smaller than the QX80. Uh also doing really well. Both of them are up year over year. And next year, we launched the QX65. And the goal now as we accelerate the future is to launch one vehicle per year for the foreseeable future.
01:51 Pras Subramanian
So you mentioned, you know, strong sales of the of the 80, which is that full-size SUV back there. It’s a very popular segment in America. But Infiniti overall with Nissan, you know, you had a rough patch and you’re sort of emerging from that. What’s sort of the game plan there to get that, the two brands sort of on the right path here in the United States?
02:13 Thiago Castro
So so first of all, yeah, nobody can just say that we didn’t have a tough year last year. Very clear. Uh but here’s the important part. We have a very clear understanding what needs to happen. There’s full alignment in the global team and the regional leadership team that, in order for Nissan to be stronger, Infinity needs to be strong. So we’re going to invest in the right product and the right moment. Uh today, in addition to the QX65, you can see two concept cars for the QX80. So this is our flagship model. What we’re trying to do is to check with the market, what do people really like. We’re look at two sides of the spectrum. One is the QX80 Tracks Pack. Tracks Pack is think about getting our current engine and increasing horsepower and torque by more than 50%. Torque is up to 750. So think about this. And then horsepower is 650 plus. But not word plus is just plus, you know? So I mean, pretty competitive features here.
03:58 Pras Subramanian
Absolutely. uh with Infiniti and kind of versus the competition. But Infiniti being a Japanese automaker and having a presence around the world, tariffs are sort of a thing that’s that’s a story these days in the automotive sector. Do you have a deal with Japan in the US with like 15% that helps, but not with Mexico and Canada. Where do you sit there? How do you battle tariffs from an Infiniti point of view?
04:25 Thiago Castro
Well, the first step for us was to understand the the product portfolio and how can we optimize delivery. So for example, QX50, we had to pause the production into the US. Uh and but in Canada there’s a lot of opportunity. So we ship more vehicles there. We also increase production of QX60 that is built here in the US. The good news, for example, is the QX65 behind us will be built here in the US as well. So very important for us to increase that footprint. Um but then we continue to accelerate um for example on the flagship model uh that I just mentioned. We we want to continue to bring them and not stop, you know. The customers are reacting very well and we need to deliver the vehicle.
05:16 Pras Subramanian
So even if they’re built abroad in other places where you’re facing tariffs, you’re able to still sell the product and maybe absorb some of that cost.
05:25 Thiago Castro
Absolutely. And then identify you know, where’s the opportunity for example to reduce costs every elsewhere. There’s other things you can do. So it is a evolving uh challenge for sure. Uh but we have to do this.
