Infiniti axes QX4 SUV

Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.'s Infiniti luxury division has quietly dropped its QX4 SUV. Production of the luxury truck stopped in November 2002, and the last units currently are being sold down.

Instead of replacing the midsize luxury QX4, which sold just under 17,000 units last year, Infiniti will offer the FX45 and FX35 cross/utility vehicles (see story, p.58), which go on sale in the U.S. early this year, as well as a fullsize SUV, still more than a year off.

“The luxury SUV segment is showing signs of growth, but all the growth is coming out of fullsize product,” says Mark McNabb, Infiniti vice president and general manager. “Any product similar in size to QX4 has not grown.”

The move is part of Infiniti's push to refurbish its brand image and freshen its lineup. Although Infiniti considers the FX to be its future “halo vehicle” and is clearing the lineup of older models, that doesn't mean it's ready to ditch its former “halo” product, the ailing Q45 flagship luxury sedan.