---

2002 Q45 Powers Infiniti Into Performance Luxury Leadership Position

8 January 2001

2002 Q45 Powers Infiniti Into Performance Luxury Leadership Position; Company Also Reveals FX45 Concept

    GARDENA, Calif., Jan. 8 Following record sales in calendar
year 2000, Infiniti enters the new year with a pair of dramatic new vehicle
introductions on Tuesday January 9 at 11:30 a.m. EST at the 2001 North
American International Auto Show in Detroit -- the 2002 Infiniti Q45
performance luxury sedan and the futuristic Infiniti FX45 Concept crossover
SUV.  The two vehicles are part of Infiniti's plan to totally reinvigorate and
expand its product lineup in the next few years.
    The expansion of Infiniti's product line is being fueled by a resurgence
in sales and brand acceptance and parent company Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.'s
(NML) renewed profitability.  In November 2000, Nissan released financial
figures showing a consolidated operating profit of $1.24 billion and an
operating margin of 4.5 percent for the first six months of fiscal year 2000
-- the company's best performance in a decade.
    "Nissan's improved financial position allows us to strengthen all our
brands, including Infiniti, by continuing to enhance both our products and
services," said Carlos Ghosn, President, NML.  "With Infiniti, this means
accelerating the future of automotive luxury through product design and then
aligning our customer services with these products for a unified, exhilarating
total experience."