Walk into an Infiniti dealership today and things might feel a little... quiet. Maybe even a little empty. With the Q50 sedan recently retired and the QX50 and QX55 headed for the exit door, it's easy to look at the sparse showroom and wonder if the brand is packing its bags. You aren't the only one asking. If you've spent any time on car forums lately, the question is Infiniti going out of business pops up like clockwork.
The short answer? No. But the long answer is a lot more complicated than a simple yes or no.
The Reality of the Sales Slump
Numbers don’t lie, and for Infiniti, they’ve been pretty brutal. Back in 2017, the brand was a powerhouse, moving over 150,000 units in the U.S. alone. Fast forward to 2025, and they barely cleared 52,000. That is a massive drop. When a luxury brand loses nearly two-thirds of its volume in less than a decade, people start talking about "the end."
A lot of this comes down to a product drought. For years, Infiniti felt like it was stuck in a time loop. While rivals like Lexus and Genesis were pouring money into hybrid tech and flashy new designs, Infiniti was mostly selling the same platforms with slightly different grilles.
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Is Infiniti Going Out of Business? Not According to the 2026 Plan
If you ask Tiago Castro, the vice president of Infiniti Americas, the brand isn't dying; it’s basically just shedding old skin. He’s been very vocal about a "disciplined product cadence" starting right now. Instead of trying to have ten different models that sell okay, they are betting everything on a "five or six model" lineup that people actually want.
The strategy is focused on high-margin SUVs. The all-new 2025 QX80 has actually been a massive hit for them. It sounds counterintuitive, but while their overall sales were down 9% in 2025, the QX80 had its best retail year in history. People are willing to pay for the big, expensive stuff.
What’s Coming Next?
The roadmap through 2028 is actually surprisingly busy for a brand people think is folding:
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- The QX65: This is the big one for 2026. It’s a two-row, mid-size "crossover coupe" designed to hunt the Audi Q8 and BMW X6. It’s based on the QX60 but looks a lot more aggressive, taking cues from the old-school FX that people still love.
- The Return of the Sedan: Believe it or not, a Q50 successor is rumored for 2027. Word is it might even have a manual transmission option and a twin-turbo V6.
- A Hybrid "Game Changer": By 2028, a new compact SUV using Nissan’s e-Power hybrid tech is supposed to hit the streets. This is intended to be the volume seller that replaces the QX50.
The Dealer Perspective: Why It Feels Like a Struggle
Even with new cars on the horizon, the people selling them are feeling the pinch. According to data from Haig Partners, Infiniti dealership valuations are currently on the lower end, often hovering between $0M and $2M in "blue sky" value.
Many dealers are surviving solely on their service departments and used car sales. It’s a tough spot to be in. If you're a dealer, you're basically being told to "hang on" until 2026 and 2027 when the fresh inventory finally arrives. Some are doing just that, while others are looking for the nearest exit ramp.
What This Means for You
If you’re looking at a new or used Infiniti, the "going out of business" rumors shouldn't necessarily scare you off, but they should change how you shop.
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First off, parts and service aren't going anywhere. Because Infiniti shares so much DNA with Nissan, you’ll be able to get your car fixed long after the warranty expires. The real concern is resale value. If the brand continues to struggle with its identity, those trade-in values might not hold up as well as a Lexus or a Porsche.
On the flip side, because people are nervous, you can often find some of the best lease deals in the luxury segment. Dealers are hungry to move metal.
Actionable Steps for Potential Buyers:
- Check the Production Dates: If you're looking at a QX50 or QX55, remember they are being discontinued after 2025/2026. This is prime "clearance sale" territory.
- Focus on the QX80 or QX60: These are the pillars of the brand right now. They will likely receive the most software updates and long-term support.
- Verify Local Dealer Health: Before buying, see if your local Infiniti dealer is "dual-ed" with a Nissan store. These dealerships are much more stable and less likely to close their doors unexpectedly.
- Wait for the QX65: If you want the "new era" of Infiniti, wait until summer 2026. This model will be the real litmus test for whether the brand can actually make a comeback.
The brand isn't dead yet. It's just in a very awkward, very public transition. Whether they actually pull off this 40th-anniversary comeback in 2029 depends entirely on if the new QX65 is a hit or just another "me-too" SUV.