The inaugural vehicle to roll off the line was the first Infiniti Q50L, the long-wheelbase version of the Q50 premium sports saloon, which is aimed exclusively at the local market.

The Xiangyang plant is a manufacturing complex jointly established by Dongfeng Motor Corp and Nissan Motor Co Ltd and offers an annual production capacity of 250,000 vehicles, 60,000 of which are dedicated for Infiniti production.

The carmaker said the start of local production signifies an important milestone for Infiniti to become a mainstream player in the Chinese premium automotive market.

‘Today we are here to witness Infiniti’s big step forward in China. We continue to expand our business in China and develop Infiniti as a truly global premium brand,’ said Dr Daniel Kirchert, president of Dongfeng Infiniti Motor Co Ltd and managing director of Infiniti China. ‘Local production demonstrates Infiniti’s long-term commitment to the Chinese market. We will bring Infiniti’s renowned global quality standards and its premium experience even closer to Chinese consumers.’

China is now the third country to produce Infiniti models in addition to Japan and the US, with Infiniti saying this marks the next step in its global growth plan to expand the brand’s portfolio while establishing a broader global manufacturing footprint. It also underlines its determination to turn China into Infiniti’s second volume hub globally.

In addition to the Infiniti Q50L, Infiniti will also soon start producing the localised QX50 long wheelbase version at the Xiangyang Plant. Both vehicles are tailored for the Chinese market, expanding Infiniti’s product portfolio for the Chinese consumers.

The start of production follows the establishment in September of Infiniti’s joint venture Dongfeng Infiniti Motor Co Ltd with local partner Dongfeng Motor Corp to jointly expand in China’s premium car market. Infiniti aims to raise sales in China to 100,000 vehicles by 2018, over half of which will be locally produced models.

In the first three quarters of 2014, Infiniti has been the fastest growing premium auto brand in China as its sales increased by 91% year-on-year to nearly 20,800 vehicles.