Enhanced and extended Infiniti role for Vettel announced at the 2013 New York International Auto Show

Vettel to play an increased role in developing new Infiniti models

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (27 Mar, 2013)

On the opening day of the New York International Auto Show, Infiniti announced Sebastian Vettel, Infiniti Red Bull Racing driver and triple Formula One World Champion, as Director of Performance for the premium automotive brand.

This latest announcement extends and enhances Vettel's relationship with Infiniti which formally began in 2011. In this capacity, Vettel already has played a crucial role in developing Infiniti's vehicle line-up, starting with the exclusive Infiniti FX Vettel Edition and most recently with the all-new Infiniti Q50.

Making the announcement, Infiniti President Johan de Nysschen said: "Sebastian's talent and ability behind the wheel is unquestionable and his role in developing Infiniti vehicles has already proven invaluable. How many premium automotive brands can honestly say its vehicles have been developed alongside a triple World Champion? As our technical collaboration with Infiniti Red Bull Racing continues to deepen, so does our relationship with Sebastian who will be crucial to the development of our future vehicle line-up, ensuring Infiniti stands for passion and performance in a brand that challenges the status quo."

Vettel has been central to the development of the new Infiniti Q50 from its early stages. He spent time with Infiniti engineers in Japan, providing them with his world-class chassis dynamics, performance and handling feedback. He was then involved in testing early models alongside Infiniti Red Bull Racing Test and Reserve driver Sebastien Buemi in Japan, around the famed Nürburgring in Germany, and at the Formula One pre-season test at the Spanish Circuit de Catalunya in early March.

As Title and Vehicle Performance Partner of Infiniti Red Bull Racing from the start of the 2013 Formula One season, Infiniti has deepened its technical relationship with the Team. This announcement ensures that Vettel will become involved in the development of more future Infiniti vehicles.

"I am really happy to extend my relationship with Infiniti and become their Director of Performance," said Sebastian Vettel. "Helping to develop the Infiniti Q50 was a very different type of driving duty for me but I approached it in exactly the same way as I do my Formula One car. I am looking forward to working closely with Infiniti in developing more of their road cars into the future."

-Ends-

About Infiniti in Formula One
Infiniti, the premium automotive brand, starts the 2013 season as Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner of Infiniti Red Bull Racing. With a deepened technical collaboration across people, process and technologies, an 'open door' approach is enabling both sides to access a pool of innovation, new technologies and R&D resources in the shared pursuit of precision and performance.

Since the partnership's inception in 2011 it has already seen the launch of the Infiniti FX Vettel Edition and product development input from Sebastian Vettel and test driver Sebastien Buemi for the all-new Infiniti Q50 premium sports saloon. Infiniti continues to be the most visible automotive brand in Formula One, and the deepened partnership will ensure closer alignment on an increasing number of future team collaborations.

For further information on Infiniti in Formula One, contact Tom Foy on +44 7557 203 651 / tfoy@infiniti-performanceteam.com

About Infiniti
Infiniti, the premium automotive brand, reflects its brand promise "Inspired Performance" with a model line-up of saloons, coupés, SUVs and crossovers featuring exhilarating performance, emotive design and cutting edge technology. Infiniti continues to launch across the globe through a dedicated network of Infiniti Centres that share a commitment to exceptional hospitality throughout the entire period of ownership.

•   Infiniti was launched in 1989 in the United States. Infiniti's global footprint expanded into Canada in 1990, Taiwan in 1997, the Middle East in 2004, Korea in 2005 and Russia in 2006. Global expansion continued in 2007 with Infiniti Centres opening in the Ukraine and in one of the world's fastest growing luxury automotive markets, China. In 2008 Infiniti launched in Western and Central Europe which has added 19 additional markets. Infiniti is sold globally in 47 markets to date.

•   Since May 2012, Infiniti Motor Company Ltd's new global headquarters is situated in Hong Kong, headed by Johan de Nysschen as President of Infiniti.

•   Since the 2011 season Infiniti has been a major partner of the Red Bull Racing team. In 2012, three-time world champion Sebastian Vettel was appointed Infiniti's first ever Global Brand Ambassador. The team will be known as Infiniti Red Bull Racing from the 2013 season as the relationship evolves to make Infiniti the title partner and lead technical partner with a shared engineering expertise that delivers benefits for the race track and the road.

For more local information on Infiniti please visit
www.infiniti-me.com
m.infiniti-me.com (mobile website)
facebook.com/InfinitiMiddleEast (Facebook page)

or contact:
Francesca Ciaudano
Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager
Tel: +971 4 881 7500
Fax: +971 4 881 9747
E-mail:francesca@infiniti-me.ae

Jason Simms
Infiniti press office
Tel: + 971 55 123 9700
E-mail:jason.simms@ketchum-raad.com

© Press Release 2013