The first luxury vehicle to come out of Nissan Motor Company’s Smyrna Vehicle Plant finally rolled off the factory floor. Bathed in a coat of Emerald Green paint and equipped with seating for seven was the first production 2013 Infiniti JX35 SUV which will hit showroom floors in March. Alongside the posh hauler’s American arrival will be a shift towards a more U.S.-centered Infiniti production. “We expect the inspired design and quality craftsmanship built into every new Infiniti model that rolls off the Smyrna production lines will deliver inspired performance that is second to none,” said Susan Brennan, Vice President Manufacturing Smyrna and Decherd.
Final assembly isn’t the only Tennessee product to be found on the JX. The Dechard Engine Plant will be the home of the 3.5 liter VQ35 V6 that powers all or the front wheels of the Infiniti. With a competitive $40,450 base price, 21 mpg in mixed driving, 265 horsepower and fluid but cutting design work, the latest luxury Nissan should make a splash in the highly crowded third row premium segment. Innovative features such as the world’s first Back Up Collision Intervention system that will control the brakes if a crash from the rear looks possible. “The luxury crossover market is the fastest growing luxury segment in America, representing a huge opportunity for Infiniti,” said Infiniti Americas Vice President Ben Poore. “In fact, we expect JX to quickly become our second highest volume model, right behind the popular Infiniti G-line.”
Source: Infiniti
