Who Makes INFINITI – Where Are INFINITI Made?

Last updated May 31st, 2023

While many questions asked at Evans INFINITI of Dayton are about our cars and their features, plenty of Cincinnati residents need to learn where INFINITI vehicles are made or who makes them. Many of our Dayton customers have asked us, "Who makes INFINITI?" Many of them also want to know where INFINITI's vehicles are made. We’ve got you covered at Evans INFINITI of Dayton with everything you need to know and more about INFINITI, where it’s made, and why it’s the brand it is today!

Nissan makes INFINITI vehicles. Nissan is a Japanese automaker, and INFINITI is its luxury brand. For that reason, some INFINITI vehicles are based on Nissan's lineup. However, they are heavily revised and have far more luxury features. From small sport sedans like the INFINITI Q50 to the large QX80 SUV with its third row, Nissan produces INFINITI vehicles at several locations worldwide. The INFINITI models sold here in Dayton, OH, are made in Japan, Tennessee, or Mexico. 

The Conception of INFINITI and Why it’s Revered Today

To better understand INFINITI as a whole and its reputation for quality and luxury, we need to dive into INFINITI’s history before looking at where INFINITI's specific models are currently made for sale in the USA.

The Fateful Day: November 8, 1989

However, the episodes leading up to this event are a large part of what defines INFINITI as a brand today. INFINITI’s conception occurred just around when Lexus and Acura were released. On November 8, 1989, INFINITI cars began being sold on American soil. This came with increasing demand in America for luxury cars, specifically sedans. Nissan, Toyota, and Honda created luxury brands to capture this burgeoning market.

What resulted was not only competition between the Japanese luxury car brands, which kept innovations coming at a steady rate, but also this was when the legendary INFINITI Q45 and M30 were released. Initially, you had to go to a Nissan dealership to get your hands on one of these coveted automobiles!

As the INFINITI brand evolved, it began to distance itself further from its origin in Nissan while keeping its roots. Drivers wanted a unique car beyond that of a scaled-up Nissan, and INFINITI delivered. With that said, these originals were released in progressively better versions until the 2000s and 2010s. That says something about INFINITI that’s truly remarkable: there’s a robust reputation for creating vehicles people love, trust, and want to see again in the next model year within INFINITI.

INFINITI in the 90s: Redefining Performance

 In the 90s, the INFINITI brand began to release more vehicles. This was when the INFINITI G series was born.  Including the compact INFINITI G20, the G series remained in production until the 2015 model year, then called the Q40. However, it was during the 90s that INFINITI found itself as a brand. With unpopular, zen-focused advertisements, INFINITI had to dodge its vehicles being dubbed ‘the Japanese Lincoln’ and created vehicles behind the pack in terms of performance. New car sales suffered as a result, but this was subject to change in just a few short years…

Everything changed for INFINITI in the 2000s when they began to zero their focus on performance. Quickly transitioning to the title ‘the Japanese BMW’ instead, INFINITI began to produce high-quality, high-performance, luxury cars like nobody’s business. 2003 the INFINITI G35 won the Motortrend Car of the Year. Coming from a struggling brand, these are massive improvements in a relatively short period. This focus on performance paid off, but another focus was relevant during the 2000s. That further distanced INFINITI from its Nissan roots, spearheaded by the Nissan Motors President, Carlos Ghosen.

The 2010s and Beyond Performance and Luxury Stand Out

In the 2010s, INFINITI began to define what it meant to have a high-performance engine. So much so that INFINITI sponsored Red Bull Racing in the 2011 season; INFINITI made these significant accomplishments by partnering with Renault, a French auto manufacturer, to design its high-performance engines. During this time, crossover after crossover was released by INFINITI, following INFINITIs firing SUV in the late 90s. 

As we get later into the 2010s and the 2020s, INFINITI becomes more recognizable as the brand it is today- producing high-performance luxury cars effortlessly. Notably, in INFINITI history, in 2021, INFINITI pledged to make the entire INFINITI lineup all-electric by 2030. Once again, INFINITI defines the future of what vehicles can be instead of what they are currently. 

INFINITI: True Character in Today’s Brand

INFINITI’s rocky years are what forced INFINITI to innovate, succeed, and surpass its competitors. To understand the history behind what makes an INFINITI an INFINITI is to understand the grit and character underneath the hood, in the suspension, and in the elegant design of each INFINITI today. 

While it’s great to dive into the history of such an influential brand of vehicles, Dayton buyers may still harbor a question or two about the manufacturing of current INFINITI models. Below you’ll find the answer to the question: Where are your INFINITI vehicles made today?

INFINITI Sedans - Made in Japan

Currently, INFINITI produces all their sedans available in the US in Japan, Nissan's home country. These models include the INFINITI Q50 and the Q60.

INFINITI Q50

Made in Japan, the INFINITI Q50 is a four-door sedan that offers luxury and performance in the exact vehicle. Its V6 engine outputs 300 horsepower; it's a sports car that handles like one. The Q50 also has excellent safety features, including forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking.

INFINITI Q60

The INFINITI Q60 is the two-door counterpart to the INFINITI Q50. The Q60 will roar down the highways around Dayton and look great doing it. It is also a performance vehicle and can even be outfitted with port 400 trim, which features a powerful 400-horsepower engine! Made in Japan.

INFINITI SUVs & Crossovers - Made Around the World

While all INFINITI produces all their sedans in Japan, INFINITI's SUVs are made in Mexico, Japan, and the USA.

INFINITI QX50

Made in Mexico, the INFINITI QX50 is one of the newer vehicles in INFINITI's lineup. As the first production vehicle with a Variable Compression Technology (VCT) engine, the QX50 delivers more power and efficiency than similar vehicles. This is an advanced technology, and the innovative engineers at INFINITI are the first to bring it to market.

INFINITI QX55

Made in Mexico, the INFINITI QX55 is the "coupe" version of the QX50, offering a smaller, more sleek SUV to drivers who value maneuverability. Like its sibling, the QX55 has luxury features, including an innovative infotainment system that makes managing your music and navigation a breeze.  

INFINITI QX60

Made in the USA, the INFINITI QX60 is currently the only INFINITI vehicle produced in the USA, specifically in Tennessee. The QX60 is, in many ways, INFINITI's flagship vehicle, offering a luxurious three-row interior and distinct luxury styling. INFINITI also redesigned the QX60 for the 2022 model year! It now offers cutting-edge style and technology. A top choice among Cincinnati families, the INFINITI QX60 offers the comfort and versatility that Ohio families want from their crossover or SUV.

INFINITI QX80

Made in Japan, the INFINITI QX80 is the only INFINITI SUV made in Japan and is also their largest vehicle. Based on the Nissan Armada, the QX80 has an expansive interior and truck platform that allows it to tow up to 8,500 lbs. However, it looks and feels very different from the Nissan. Its interior appointments are truly opulent, and all models have extensive features. With a sizeable third row, this is a top choice for active Kettering families.

INFINITI Vehicles - Sold Right Here in Ohio

Setting the standard for luxury and value, INFINITI's sedans and SUVs are a top choice among Ohio families who want true luxury but without the markup of European competitors. While INFINITI's vehicles are made worldwide, Evans INFINITI of Dayton has the best selection in Centerville, OH. We're proud to offer our Cincinnati and Kettering customers these high-tech, luxury vehicles. Contact us today to set up your test drive of INFINITI's stellar lineup of sedans and SUVs or task any questions. View our specials and current inventory to find the perfect INFINITI vehicle.

Shop INFINITI Sedans Shop INFINITI SUVs Schedule a Test Drive