Infiniti’s UK sales were up 45% in March 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 and 23% over the first three months of the year.

Sales over the full financial year increased by nearly 15%, fuelled mainly by the FX (soon to be called QX70) and the more recently introduced Infiniti M35h saloon (soon to be known as Q70).

Since the opening of the first Infiniti Centre in Reading on October 2009 there are now a further six centres in the UK.

This network is expected to expand quickly over the next six months with three further locations in Norwich, Southampton and St. Albans.

Other areas such as Milton Keynes, Cardiff, Liverpool, Exeter, Cambridge, Leicester, Nottingham, Bristol, Newcastle and Belfast – in addition to even more centres around London –- are currently being evaluated. 

According to a recent independent brand tracking survey there has been a significant increase in awareness of the Infiniti brand.

In the UK during 2011 only 51% of the people interviewed had heard of the premium brand. In 2012 the figure shows an upward trend of 13 percentage points to 64%.

Jean–Pierre Diernaz, marketing director at Infiniti for the Africa, Middle East, India and Europe (AMIE) region, said: “Formula One as well as other hugely popular events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed has significantly raised awareness of the brand in the UK.

“With further involvement in Formula one as well as the launch for Q50, we expect another significant increase of the brand equity over the next 12 months.”

The all-new Q50 – the first Infiniti to receive a Daimler-sourced but re-engineered 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine - was first shown in Europe at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year. 

It is currently being presented at each Infiniti Centre throughout April, some five months ahead of its arrival in the autumn.

Anyone interested in seeing this vehicle should contact their nearest Infiniti Centre.