The coming GT-R: Thinking outside the box at Tokyo show

[htownboy]

"Unlike the Skyline, the GT-R will be designed as a sports car, not a coupe based off a sedan like the G35 Coupe. Although Nissan head Carlos Ghosn has confirmed the GT-R will be sold globally, the question is whether the Corvette-fighter will make it to North America as an Infiniti or Nissan -- or maybe even both."

See article;
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...cialGlobeAuto/

[GforceI]

It has to be an Infiniti. I mean if I take my 70k dollar sports car in for service and drive away in a beat up sentra as a loner (if nissan dealers give loaners) I would be pissed to say the least. Has to be an Infiniti just has to be....

[Rampant]

I actually hope they do some platform sharing, otherwise it will be way too expensive to make strong sales (which it clearly needs to do).

As far as the Nissan/Infiniti thing, if Ford can sell a $150k+ GT, and Chevrolet sell a $75k Vette, why can't Nissan sell an expensive sports car?

Well, besides the nameplate recognition thing.

Truth be told though, that is a HUGE hurdle. Ford can do it on history (baby boomers who can afford one remember the first GT40) and Chevy can do it because it has several other cheaper Vette models as well as a long history.

At a rumored $60k-$70k, it is a HUGE leap from a 350Z to the GT-R, and with little brand racognition (outside the small enthusaist/video game playing circles), it would be a difficult, but not impossible, marketing proposition to plant the GT-R in Nissan showrooms and generate the sales needed.

Ultimately though, it will probably be an Infiniti. And as long as it doesn't equate to a very heavy car with excessive luxury appointments, I am fine with that.

[Hyde]

its most likely an Infiniti Here

[elau]

Originally Posted by Rampant

As far as the Nissan/Infiniti thing, if Ford can sell a $150k+ GT, and Chevrolet sell a $75k Vette, why can't Nissan sell an expensive sports car?

Because most people still have a hard time sinking that kind of dough on a Japanese car. Look at NSX, that's a prime example.

Well, besides the nameplate recognition thing.

That's the main thing. Honestly, before I bought the G and frequent this board, I never heard of Skyline. Let alone Nissan is coming out with the GT-R. And I still don't think I will spend that kind of money on a Nissan, or Infiniti, or Lexus for that matter.

Truth be told though, that is a HUGE hurdle. Ford can do it on history (baby boomers who can afford one remember the first GT40) and Chevy can do it because it has several other cheaper Vette models as well as a long history.

Goes back to what I said, most baby boomers remember Japanese cars as lawn mower. Remember the early Honda Civic with the 2-stroke engine? And the joke about Japanese steel used on cars?

At a rumored $60k-$70k, it is a HUGE leap from a 350Z to the GT-R, and with little brand racognition (outside the small enthusaist/video game playing circles), it would be a difficult, but not impossible, marketing proposition to plant the GT-R in Nissan showrooms and generate the sales needed.

The car only sells to a limited number of buyers. Hope Nissan is not sinking a boat load of $$$ on this, they may not recoup the money spent.

[TwiBlueG35sedan]

Lexus and Infiniti are trying to raise up their status even more, getting closer and closer to Benz and BMW. The top end models of these two German marques are costing $100k plus, and Lexus is going to come out with a $90-$100k LS600h, then selling a $70k GTR would actually help Infiniti to create a real luxury automaker impression. I don't see the advantages to sell GTR under Nissan brand, since it already has a 350Z, and Infiniti is still lacking a pure sports car. It is not like you have to establish an extra luxury brand to sell GTR alone, Infiniti is already here. With the recent success of the G35 coupe/sedan and M45/M35, wouldn't it be a good time to raise the brand's image even more?