Infiniti centres plan in the UK

Infiniti, the luxury automotive brand from Japan, is now well on its way to the UK with the first Centre under construction and on schedule to open its doors on the outskirts of Reading, close to Junction 11 of the M4, during September 2009. Infiniti Europe can also reveal for the first time publicly the name of its UK Partner for this site and two further Centres due for London. As with other markets, Infiniti Europe has partnered with groups that have solid experience of retailing luxury brands. In this case, it’s Infiniti because the Partner selected for the London/M4 area is also the brand’s current distributor in the Lebanon.

Operating the Infiniti Centres in Reading, West and North London will be Rymco UK, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rasamny Younis Motor Co SAL – the Infiniti Partner in the Lebanon. Paul Atkinson has been appointed as Managing Director of Rymco UK Ltd following a number of years working as a Franchise Director with premium and luxury brands in the UK at Inchcape Retail and Jardine Motors Group.

More Centres will be added progressively in key metropolitan areas over the following one to two years. Infiniti is aiming for a network of around 12 Centres in the UK although its coverage will extend to almost the entire country due to the Infiniti VIP Service which offers customers collection and delivery of their vehicle for annual maintenance up to 150 miles from the Infiniti Centre (beyond this is also available at customer contribution).

The full Infiniti range of performance cars including the G37 Saloon, G37 Coupé, G37 Convertible, EX37 coupé crossover and the FX line of crossovers will be available from launch. This line-up will be expanded to include a larger saloon model and a performance V6 diesel during 2010.

As with the rest of Europe, the Infiniti Centres that will be operated in the UK by Rymco follow the IREDI concept (Infiniti Retail Environment Design Initiative) which aims to create a welcoming and hospitable environment for buying and servicing Infiniti’s performance cars. The architecture is energetic and modern, with an accent on natural materials and warm furnishings.

Here Japanese luxury meets Japan’s renowned reputation for premium service. Infiniti calls this the Total Ownership Experience. As the name suggests, this ethos which is central to the brand is not just applied at the time of purchase. It also extends throughout the whole period of ownership with many benefits including collection and delivery of an Infiniti for servicing, and a mobility service that covers the owner whatever vehicle he or she might be in. Nobody understands this commitment to quality service better than an existing Infiniti Partner, especially one that has operated in a fast growing luxury market like the Middle East.