Infiniti QX30 compact SUV to join new Q30 in Sunderland production

Nissan has confirmed that the compact SUV Infiniti QX30 will join the Q30 hatchback in production at Nissan’s Sunderland plant from the second half of 2015.

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The 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show saw the arrival of the Infiniti Q30 compact hatch as a concept, with plans to put it in to production in 2015 at Nissan’s plant in Sunderland. And it will be joined by the Infiniti QX30 compact SUV.

Based on the underpinnings of the Mercedes A-Class, the new Infiniti Q30 is Infiniti’s first foray in to the compact market, and it seems Infiniti are keen to simultaneously tap in to the compact SUV market with the higher-riding QX30 as Infiniti’s take on the Mercedes GLA.

Infiniti are expecting to churn out 60,000 Q30 and QX30s a year in Sunderland – and plans to extend production to Mexico in 2017 if sales stack up – with the cars exported around the world including to the US and China where Infiniti expect the Q30 and QX30 to mop up the most sales.

Engines for the Q30 and QX30 will also come from Mercedes, which will mean a choice of both petrol and diesel 2.0 litre engines with various power outputs.

Apart from going head-to-head with Mercedes own A-Class and GLA, the new Infiniti compact SUV will also be aiming at the Audi Q3 with the QX30 and prices are likely to come in at a similar level to the Q3’s – £25-£35k.