Return Of The G20
April, 1998 -- Infiniti reintroduced the G20 sedan this week during press days at the New York International Auto Show at Manhattan's Jacob Javit's Convention Center. This ends a two-year hiatus of the G20's production that began with the discontinuation of the line in 1995. Like the original G20, the new model is based on Nissan Corporation's home market Primera.
According to Infiniti Vice-President, Tom Orbe, the G20 is supposed to appeal to young up and comers who may be buying in the luxury market for the first time. Prices for the G20 are expected to start under $25,000.
The original G20 was discontinued after the 1995 model year due to soft sales. Orbe claims that the strong economy and rising stock market are reasons that the G20 should survive this time around. The strong success of Audi's entry-level A4 and BMW's 318i are seen as reinforcements of this idea by Infiniti executives.
The G20 is powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine that presently appears in the Nissan 200SX coupe and Nissan Sentra SE sedan. Likewise, the G20 shares suspension components and interior pieces that are similar to the bargain basement pocket rockets from Nissan.
This leaves us wondering how Infiniti expects to sell 15,000 or more G20s per year. Several of Edmund's staffers fit the G20's target demographic (25-45 years of age with an income of between $35,000 and $80,000 per year), yet most of them would not consider paying the extra $7,000 that the G20 costs when compared to the excellent Sentra SE sedan.
Despite our misgivings about its price, we think that the G20 is an attractive sedan that will turn the heads of plenty of yuppies in training. The car's European styling and the Infiniti name will be enough to bring people into the showroom. Infiniti's excellent warranty coverage and outstanding dealer body will probably be enough to seal the deal for many customers.
April, 1998 -- Infiniti reintroduced the G20 sedan this week during press days at the New York International Auto Show at Manhattan's Jacob Javit's Convention Center. This ends a two-year hiatus of the G20's production that began with the discontinuation of the line in 1995. Like the original G20, the new model is based on Nissan Corporation's home market Primera.
According to Infiniti Vice-President, Tom Orbe, the G20 is supposed to appeal to young up and comers who may be buying in the luxury market for the first time. Prices for the G20 are expected to start under $25,000.
The original G20 was discontinued after the 1995 model year due to soft sales. Orbe claims that the strong economy and rising stock market are reasons that the G20 should survive this time around. The strong success of Audi's entry-level A4 and BMW's 318i are seen as reinforcements of this idea by Infiniti executives.
The G20 is powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine that presently appears in the Nissan 200SX coupe and Nissan Sentra SE sedan. Likewise, the G20 shares suspension components and interior pieces that are similar to the bargain basement pocket rockets from Nissan.
This leaves us wondering how Infiniti expects to sell 15,000 or more G20s per year. Several of Edmund's staffers fit the G20's target demographic (25-45 years of age with an income of between $35,000 and $80,000 per year), yet most of them would not consider paying the extra $7,000 that the G20 costs when compared to the excellent Sentra SE sedan.
Despite our misgivings about its price, we think that the G20 is an attractive sedan that will turn the heads of plenty of yuppies in training. The car's European styling and the Infiniti name will be enough to bring people into the showroom. Infiniti's excellent warranty coverage and outstanding dealer body will probably be enough to seal the deal for many customers.
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