Infiniti of Manhattan

For those of you who are looking for a more fuel effacement vehicle but don't want to sacrifice performance and speed we'd like to introduce you to the M35h.  That's right; it's a new type of high-performance hybrid. Boasting 350 horsepower and 32 mpg the M35h has already claimed a spot in the Guinness World Records this August, as the fastest accelerating hybrid available.

How did the high-performance hybrid manage such a feat? In a UK-based competition focused on fuel efficiency, it managed to beat it's official 32-mpg rating by seven cents! No other hybrid…

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced its new six-year environmental plan, Nissan Green Program 2016 (NGP 2016). This new plan will focus on three areas: reduction of carbon footprint, shift to renewable energy and an increase in the diversity of resources used by Nissan.
Nissan Green Program 2016, the company's third environmental mid-term plan, aims to deliver the following by the end of fiscal year 2016:

• No.1 in Zero-Emission Vehicles: cumulative sales of 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles across the Renault-Nissan Alliance
• Leading fuel efficiency: 35% fuel economy improvement compared with 2005 on a corporate average for all Nissan vehicles sold in Japan, China, Europe and the United States
• Leading low corporate carbon footprint: 20% reduction per vehicle of CO2 emission of corporate activities compared with 2005
• Leading closed-loop recycling: raise the usage rate of recycled materials to 25%

"More consumers are demanding products in line with their values, including cars and trucks with a lower carbon footprint. At the same time, we are using technology to make our factories greener and more efficient," said Nissan President and Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn. "Nissan wants to be part of the solution toward a sustainable society - for the sake of the planet and as a significant competitive advantage and a strategic differentiator in the global manufacturing sector."

NGP2016 represents the pillar of sustainability in Nissan's Blue Citizenship, the company's strategic platform covering the area of corporate social responsibility. Blue Citizenship focuses on three areas: Sustainability, Mobility and Community. Today's announcement of NGP 2016 is the first of many corporate initiatives under Blue Citizenship.

Detailed actions under NGP 2016 include:

1) No.1 in Zero-Emission Vehicles: cumulative sales of 1.5 million units of zero-emission vehicles by 2016 across the Renault-Nissan Alliance. On behalf of the Alliance, Nissan will lead the development of an all-new fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) together with strategic partner, Daimler.

2) Leading Fuel Efficiency: 35% fuel economy improvement compared with 2005 on a corporate average by launching products delivering class-leading fuel efficiency across a wide range of segments in Japan, China, Europe and the United States such as:

• An all-new front-wheel drive hybrid model
• An all-new plug-in hybrid model based on Nissan's unique technology
• Introducing a next-generation continuously variable transmission (CVT) and reach 20 million units of cumulative CVT production since Nissan's first launch in 1992

3) Leading low corporate carbon footprint
Reduce CO2 emissions corresponding to corporate activities by 20% per vehicle compared with 2005 through:

• Widening the scope of measurable objectives, including logistics, offices, and dealerships in addition to production sites
• Introduction of renewable energy sources for manufacturing and related facilities

4) Leading closed-loop recycling through being the first in the auto industry to set a recycling objective and adopt a comprehensive closed-loop recycling scheme, including steel, aluminum and plastic. Highlights include:

• Achieve a recycled resource usage rate of 25% by 2016
• Apply recycled materials from production waste or end-of-life vehicles and parts into new vehicles
• Reduce consumption of rare earth elements

 Back in the 1950s in Australia, 17 people fit into the original. In 2010, a group in Kentucky set the record with 20. Twenty-seven is the most that could squeeze into a New Beetle in 2001, and you can bet someone will try it with the latest Beetle, too. But Volkswagen's own communications staff in the UK were curious to see how many of them could fit into the new  Up!

So how many did they squeeze in? A total of 16 poor souls - or fifteen ladies and one chap who maybe thought he'd be in for the time of his life but probably found out otherwise. Comfortable or not, they put four on the front seats, seven in the back, one on the dashboard, one in each of the footwells and two in the trunk, with the doors and hatchback closed. Not too shabby, but we bet some group somewhere will manage to squeeze in another couple of friends sooner or later.

Michel Rojkind, the famed Mexican architect, created-exclusively for INFINITI--five artisenal structures to display the vehicles.

• For the first time in Mexico, the Essence Concept Car was presented-a vehicle that exemplifies the values, inspiration and vision of INFINITI.

Yesterday evening more than 350 guests came together to celebrate the official launch of INFINITI's luxury automotive lineup. In an atmosphere that perfectly combined art, gastronomy and the finest wines, the five new vehicles, currently available in INFINITI Centers, were presented. José Muñoz, President and General Director of INFINITI, greeted guests with inspiring words and explained why the brand has arrived to Mexico with its message of All or Nothing. Socialites, celebrities, important business people and media representatives were present for an exceptional evening, capped off with a performance by Magos Herrera, one of the most beautiful jazz voices on the current Mexican contemporary scene.

Inspired by key attributes of the INFINITI brand-Inspired Performance, Brave, Human Touch-Mexican architect Michel Rojkind created five exclusive structures to display each of the INFINITI models. Various master craftsmen-using the most advanced techniques-worked for days to bring each of the structures to life, which posterior to the event will be exhibited to support a number of philanthropic organizations.

The evening would not have been complete without a message from INFINITI's global ambassador, Sebastian Vettel, the youngest double world champion in the history of Formula 1 racing. Vettel perfectly embodies the values of the INFINITI brand, in particular as INFINITI FX50S owner. He also worked on a special FX50 Sebatian Vettel version (a unique concept for Sebstian Vettel featuring his own F1-inspired changes).

Clearly, the culminating moment of the launch event was the unveiling of the Essence Concept Vehicle-a distillation of the brand's values and vision; the brand's muse that functions as an inspiration for the creation and design of the entire INFINITI portfolio, thanks to its sensuous curves and expressive lines?An imposing vehicle that was present for this first and only occasion in Mexico.

Infiniti has made Malaysia its second market in ASEAN with its official inauguration of a dedicated showroom and the premier release of four performance models.

The introduction of Infiniti to Malaysia follows launches in Western Europe, select South American and Asia Pacific markets.

Currently sold in 36 countries, and ranked the fastest growing import luxury brand in the United States in 2010, Infiniti's entry into Malaysia is part of the brand's global expansion drive over the next two years.

The premier release of four performance models in Malaysia includes the FX37 performance SUV, the EX37 performance crossover, the M37 performance sedan, and the G37 Sports Coupe.

Retailed through the Infiniti Center by Inspired Motor Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between Auto Dunia Sdn Bhd and Edaran Tan Chong Motor, the 8000 sq ft IREDI (Infiniti Retail Environment Design Initiative) showroom located in the heart of the capital's Golden Triangle promises innovative service and a total ownership experience.

"Demand for luxury cars has been expanding rapidly in Southeast Asia in recent years. This is reflected in the growing number of upwardly mobile consumers in the region following several years of very strong economic growth. In a growing automotive market like Malaysia where a strong demand for premium cars is on the rise, Infiniti delivers a unique proposition of vehicles with distinctive design, high performance drivability, and progressive luxury," said Mr Toru Saito, Infiniti's Corporate Vice President.

Mr Saito said: "The arrival of Infiniti in Malaysia comes at a time when the luxury automotive market is experiencing positive growth. With a 40 percent increase in the luxury car market last year, we are excited to be in a position to offer luxury car buyers in Malaysia a distinctive brand that epitomizes luxury performance. Our plan in Malaysia is to capture five percent of local luxury car market in the next five years by progressively introducing new models in new segments and more Infiniti Centers in key market locations throughout the country."

The Infiniti offers a unique experience for those who seek the ultimate in luxury motoring. Every detail of Infiniti is anchored by a fidelity to Japanese tradition for preciseness and inspired by artisanry.

Describing this underlying principle in the concept of Infiniti as 'Inspired Performance', Mr Saito concluded by saying that "The spirit of craftsmanship and innovation embodied in Infiniti is driven not only by a Japanese sense of reverence and perfection, but also mirrors the tastes of our clientele who are uncompromising in their pursuit of the very best in life."

On the branding and partnership front, the recent appointment of Formula One champion, Sebastian Vettel as Infiniti's first ever global brand ambassador and partnership with Red Bull racing reinforces the brand's passion and dedication to performance and technology.

Infiniti's global collaborations with the finest luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Bell & Ross and Cirque du Soleil has also played a pivotal role in accentuating the brand's association with haute culture and luxury.

The  2012 Infiniti M35h recently broke the hybrid speed record. At Infiniti of Manhattan, this doesn't come as a surprise as we expect nothing less.

The hybrid offering from Infiniti has a tentative spot in the 2013 Guinness Book of World Records, if a certain other Japanese luxury automaker can't best its performance. The 2012 Infiniti M35h currently features an impressive 0-60 sprint time of 5.5 seconds, while the Big L's GS 450h currently achieves a 5.6 second sprint from 0-60 miles per hour. But, considering the fact that the Infiniti M35h also boasts a…