Infiniti HQ moves back to Japan

Infiniti will leave its current Hong Kong headquarters by the middle of 2020, and relocate to Yokohama, Japan, alongside its Nissan parent.

Infiniti says rejoining the mothership will make the brand better integrated into Nissan's design, research and manufacturing systems.

It also believes the move will result in "more operational efficiencies by sharing architecture, technologies and back-office functions", which should help it compete in a "hyper-competitive, disruptive industry".

At present Infiniti has around 180 employees at its Hong Kong headquarters. Infiniti says it "will assist employees who do not relocate to Japan".

It's been a year of upheaval for Nissan's luxury marque. In March, the brand announced it would discontinue production of the Q30 and QX30 (above) models in the UK, as well as retreat from the western European market and eliminate diesel engines from its range.

These moves, it's claimed, will allow the company to concentrate on developing its new electrified vehicle platform, which will serve as the basis for a new generation of vehicles targeted at the Chinese, American and Asian markets.

Earlier this month, its boss Christian Meunier jumped ship to take over as head of Jeep.

Infiniti becomes the second luxury marque to move back in with its parents. In September 2018, Cadillac decided to abandon its New York City headquarters and move back to Detroit to be closer to its parents.

The luxury brand set up its headquarters in Hong Kong in 2012 as part of a push to become more distinct from its parent, as well as "to better understand the Chinese market".

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