Atsugi City, Japan – Nissan Motor Company has announced the creation of the new Infiniti Business Unit (IBU), which will be based in Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The IBU will be headed by corporate vice-president Akihiro Otomo, who will be responsible for the brand’s global operation.

The new IBU was established in April, 2008 and will solidify global business operations for Infiniti, ensure consistent development of the brand globally, and drive its profitable growth worldwide. The IBU encompasses the fields of product planning, technical development, purchasing, quality, manufacturing, marketing, sales, and after-sales.

“After being named as one of the breakthroughs for the Nissan Value-Up business plan in 2005, Infiniti has made significant progress towards becoming a globally recognized luxury brand,” Otomo said. “We have recently launched Infiniti in new markets such as Russia, China and Korea. As a result of this geographic expansion, as well as a strong product line-up, our global sales volume has increased. However, our challenge does not end here. I expect that the new global structure of the IBU will lead to further enhancement of our cross-functional and cross-regional activities. We should see the positive results during the next mid-term business plan, as the Infiniti business continues to grow.”

In fiscal year 2004, only seven per cent of Infiniti sales came from outside the U.S.; in fiscal year 2007, 17 per cent came from outside the U.S., and the percentage is expected to rise in the future. Infiniti will begin operations in Europe this fall and will launch the all-new FX crossover globally later this year.