Infiniti may finally be ready to move on from one of its most criticized decisions in recent history. Senior executives at Nissan and Infiniti have openly admitted that the brand’s current Q and QX naming strategy has created confusion, and a replacement system is now under review.
Speaking to journalists in Japan, Nissan Americas chief product and planning officer Ponz Pandikuthira said the existing badge structure has become difficult for customers to understand. His comments suggest Infiniti could soon return to clearer and more recognizable model names.
Executives Admit Current Names Missed the Mark
Pandikuthira did not hold back when discussing the current alphanumeric naming system.
He said both he and Christian Meunier are not fans of the brand’s “alphabet soup,” explaining that many buyers no longer know which model is which or even which brand makes them.
That frustration reflects what many car buyers and enthusiasts have said for years. Infiniti’s Q and QX lineup often lacks the instant recognition that rivals have built with stronger model identities.
How Infiniti Got Here
Infiniti introduced the Q and QX naming system in 2012 under then-president Johan de Nysschen. The change rolled out for the 2014 model year.
Several familiar names disappeared overnight:
- G sedan became the Q50
- M sedan became the Q70
- FX crossover became the QX70
- Original QX SUV became the QX80
The idea was to create a cleaner, unified global lineup. In reality, many buyers felt the opposite happened.
Why Names Like FX Still Matter
Pandikuthira specifically mentioned the old FX name, calling its loss a tragedy. That matters because names like FX carried personality. They stood for a specific type of vehicle and built emotional recognition over time.
That is something premium brands depend on. A memorable name can become a badge of identity, while random numbers often feel forgettable.
Infiniti’s challenge now is not just renaming cars, but rebuilding that emotional connection with buyers.
Future Models Could Trigger a Reset
Infiniti still has several launches coming under the current structure. Later this year, the brand is expected to introduce the QX65, a two-row model related to the QX60. The next-generation Q50 is expected next year, followed by a new QX50 in 2028.
But executives admit the numbering logic is becoming harder to sustain.
Pandikuthira pointed out the confusion directly: if there is a 60 and 65, what comes next? Does a larger two-row model become 70 or 75? Does a three-row SUV take that slot instead?
His answer was simple: it’s a mess.
Customer Clarity Comes First
The bigger message from Infiniti is that customer understanding now matters more than internal naming logic.
That could mean reviving heritage names, simplifying the lineup, or creating a completely fresh identity system. Whatever direction Infiniti chooses, one thing is clear: the brand knows it needs to fix the problem.
For many buyers, that change cannot come soon enough.
