Drive Magazine August 2013

Page 57

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t might not look it at first glance, but this Infiniti M 37 is really another tune of the downsizing hymn that this issue has been all about. In fact the message of the entire Infiniti brand, much like the whole Lexus go-to-market approach, pushes the same agenda. It goes something like this...

"Oh dear, times are looking tough and the bank/insurance company/stock exchange will only be giving me half an annual bonus this year. Perhaps I should hold off on ordering the standard replacement to my 3-year old 5/E/7/S German saloon right away. In fact, I've always fancied myself a bit different to the other Directors/ Partners/Whizzkids, so maybe it's actually time to go for a car which doesn't cost 7 figures with options." Now people like this might not really exist of course. And perhaps more importantly, this line of thought isn't really how success is bred, from our earliest years, in modern society. So it's a brave message, and they're quite honest and up front about it. But still, Infiniti sales have hardly given the meaningful players in this space sleepless nights since the brand came to SA.

Poor Sales Do Not Bad Cars Make This particular car though, is really quite remarkably good to drive. And would be good to own too I expect. Yes, sure, of course. It is still "just" a smart Nissan. But Lexus has shown us that these kinds of sub-brands

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