Infiniti Americas VP talks QX80 luxury SUV, outlook on EVs

Infiniti debuted the 2025 Infiniti QX80, the latest model of its full-size luxury SUV line, at a live-streamed event in New York City on Wednesday. The automaker — which is the luxury vehicle division of Nissan (NSANY) — reports the starting price for the base model is $82,000 with the higher-end models peaking above $110,000.

Infiniti Americas Group VP Craig Keeys sits down with Yahoo Finance's Pras Subramanian to discuss Infiniti's share of the luxury auto market and the company's future timeline for electrification and EV offerings.

"You can see the speed of adoption in terms of an electrified power train evolution, whether it's hybrid or full EV, is dynamic. And, in fact, it slowed down a bit on the EV side and it's accelerated on the hybrid side," Keeys says. "And I think it gives infinti an opportunity to assess the landscape as we bring costs down."

For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance Live.

Editor's note: This article was written by Luke Carberry Mogan.

Video transcript

RACHELLE AKUFFO: All right, shifting gears now Yahoo Finance's prized Subramanian is standing by with Craig Keeys Infinity Americas group vice president. Take it away Pras.

PRAS SUBRAMANIAN: Thanks Rachelle, so Craig, big day for Infinity last night in New York City. You guys revealed the new QX80 the flagship SUV $100,000 car here, competing against a number of big players in space. Tell me about this new vehicle and why you think Infinity is set up here for success?

CRAIG KEEYS: Thank you Pras. It absolutely was an amazing evening. We launched the all new 2025 QX80 on the edge at Hudson Yards 100 stories up. So as we talk about literally elevating luxury, we also elevated the QX80 1,100 feet above the street. I think the technology, the design and also the hospitality embedded in the vehicle is what's going to ultimately set us apart from the competition.

You mentioned a six figure price, the starting price is actually $82,450. So very competitive. And the average transaction price in that segment is about $116,000. So I think we're placed extremely well. And again, if I go back to the three pillars that I sent her around, the design, the drive and also the hospitality. The technology I think will speak for itself. And clients will see the attractiveness of this launch.

PRAS SUBRAMANIAN: So Infinity operates in the luxury space like you mentioned, we're talking about Lexus Cadillac, the Mercedes and BMW of the world. Infinity sales actually up nearly 40% last year, which I found surprising in that competitive space. What do you think is driving a infinity success but also be the luxury space in general?

CRAIG KEEYS: Thanks for saying that. We were very proud of our accomplishment last year with that 40% growth. We launched about two years ago a QX60 in the ESUV segment and that's been about 50% of our sales.

PRAS SUBRAMANIAN: What does it mean ESUV?

CRAIG KEEYS: ESUV is a large SUV and and ultimately, it's a three row, six passenger SUV and where I was going is that momentum is what really drove the sales improvement year over year. This year, we're looking to tack on another 10% growth. And we're going to do it focused in the SFUV segment with QX80. This is going to be a very exciting period for us and our retailers.

PRAS SUBRAMANIAN: I think people are also watching the product portfolio. What's next for Infinity and you mentioned obviously the QX80. But also electrification, the first EV coming out. You guys took your time with that electrification strategy. What's behind that and what's going to happen with the new EV that's coming out hopefully in the next year or so?

CRAIG KEEYS: So we did take our time with that. And I think back in October, you remember at the Japan mobility show, we confirmed four models, two of them to be electrified. And I think we're in a good place as Infinity because you can see the speed of adoption in terms of an electrified powertrain evolution whether it's hybrid or full EV is dynamic. And in fact, it's slowed down a bit on the EV side and it's accelerated on the hybrid side.

And so I think it gives Infinity an opportunity to assess the landscape as we also bring costs down. And the other thing I would point to is the customer experience, we're very centered on our clients from the inception of the company in 1989. We've always wanted to be much more than just the product. And so we center around the client experience. And recently with the cold spells that we've had around the country, we saw some challenges with EVs.

And I want to make sure that we have time to, again, assess the landscape, do all the right things. So the client experience remains as high as it is today.

PRAS SUBRAMANIAN: So real quick last question here, we saw the US government changing a lot of the strategies in terms of how they want to affect EV adoption in the US via tailpipe emissions and things like that. That also means that less vehicles will be around for a bit longer and hybrids potentially. What's the hybrid strategy for Infinity? Is that a viable area for you guys for growth?

CRAIG KEEYS: We don't speculate on future product but what I will tell you is that we're always going to assess what's happening in the industry. Now we've confirmed that essentially 40% of our lineup will be electrified by 2030, which includes the two EVs. But I think as client demands change, any company would be smart to make sure they keep the finger on the pulse of what's happening in the marketplace.

PRAS SUBRAMANIAN: Pulse in the market also talking to the dealers down at the dealer level to see what's going on with the electrification and the cars there. Craig, congratulations on the QX80. Thanks so much for joining us. Craig Keeys, vice president of Infinity Americas group. Back over to you Rachelle.

RACHELLE AKUFFO: All right. Thank you so much. Our very own Pras Subramanian, I've got my eye on that truck. Let me save my coins to get that sensory version that 102K. But we'll see. Thank you both.