Infiniti, the luxury division of automaker Nissan is all set for record global sales this financial year. The company expects to sell more than 200,000 units, and aims to produce more vehicles in Europe and possibly the United States. The record 200,000 units would be 33 percent more compared to the 150,000 units sold in the fiscal year that ended on March 31, mostly in America. Last year, Infiniti’s U.S. sales accounted for 98,461 units through March, which was still down 6 percent. By increasing production and sales, Infiniti aims to do business of half a million units by 2017. According to the company sources, most of the sales this year will be from China. On this basis, Nissan will build two China-specific Infiniti models in China starting in 2014.

“This year we’ll probably sell more than 200,000 units. That’s the first time in our history. The needle’s starting to move,” said Andy Palmer, the head of Nissan Motor’s Co. during the Beijing Auto Show. As Infiniti tries to compensate foreign exchange hits on vehicles made in Japan, it is expected that more overseas output will follow. The next model that the company plans to produce is the entry-level sedan based on the Etherea concept, which was shown last year at the Geneva Auto Show.

“That car, due in North America as early as next year, won’t come from Japan. In all probability it will be made in Europe,” Palmer said. Besides, at the Smyrna, Tenn., plant, Nissan started the production of the JX crossover — the first Infiniti made outside Japan since the QX56 SUV. The new model is expected to be Infiniti’s No. 2 seller in the United States, behind the G sedan. The production version of the LE Concept shown at the 2012 New York Auto Show also could be bound for the United States. The electric vehicle which will be built at North American plant shares its platform and drivetrain with the Nissan Leaf electric. The vehicle will go on sale in 2014.

via Autonews