2008 Infiniti G37 coupe
The 2008 Infiniti G37 coupe is redesigned for the new model year.

The 2008 Infiniti G37 coupe becomes the latest addition to the portfolio of Nissan's luxury division. This redesigned model comes on the heels of the 2007 revamp of the company's entry-level G35 sedan. Officials are hopeful the G37 will maintain Infiniti's overall leadership in luxury coupe sales versus BMW's 3-Series, as well as build sales for the nameplate as a whole.

Infiniti at a Glance
Infiniti launched as Nissan's luxury brand in 1989. The goal, according to company statements, was, "to establish a concept of automotive luxury where a personal and rewarding driving experience is more important than the car alone." To make that happen, Infiniti-parent Nissan went to great lengths to make sure that customers got the red-carpet treatment both during and after the purchase experience. As far as product, the idea was to build cars that not only delivered the luxury features that buyers expected, but also to make them engaging to drive.

It worked at first, but Infiniti spokesman Kyle Bazemore said that the division lost its way in the late 1990s. Products ended up being little more than slightly gilded versions of similar Nissan vehicles. While the brand still delivered on its promise of good customer service, officials knew that they had to improve the product.

Fast-forward to 2003 with the introduction of the first-generation G35 sedan and coupe. These new midsize cars were based on a new, rear-wheel-drive platform that would also see use in Nissan's 350Z sports car. G35 was a far cry from the underwhelming G20 sedan, which was based on Nissan's compact Sentra. The G35 coupe and sedan earned critical acclaim across the automotive industry. The Auto Editors of Consumer Guide added the G35 to its Recommended list in its very first year, calling the car, "a credible and less-expensive alternative to rival models [from Audi, BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz]. Sedan or coupe, it's nimble, fast, and more spacious than most direct competitors."

The positive press resonated with shoppers as 2003 saw Infiniti's sales jump to 118,655 from 2002's total of 87,911. 2004 and 2005 saw better numbers yet, with the latter checking in at a peak of 136,401. Credit not only the G35, but also an overall revamp of Infiniti's product lineup to include vehicles such as the midsize M sedan, FX crossover SUV, and QX56 large SUV. Last year, Infiniti saw a drop to 121,146, despite the launch of the redesigned G35 sedan. Officials attribute the decrease to clearing out inventories of the old G35 coupes and sedans to make way for the new versions. Through the first six months of 2007, Infiniti's sales are up 8.8 percent over last year.