Is INFINITI made by Toyota?
No — INFINITI is Nissan's luxury vehicle division, not Toyota's.
Infiniti was launched by Nissan in 1989 to compete with premium brands such as Lexus. It operates as a distinct luxury marque under the Nissan Motor Company and is not owned or manufactured by Toyota, which runs its own luxury arm, Lexus. The following sections explain the ownership structure, branding, and what this means for consumers today.
Ownership and branding
Below is a concise summary of who owns Infiniti and how it fits into the broader automotive landscape.
- Infiniti is the luxury vehicle division of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., established to compete in the premium segment.
- Toyota does not own Infiniti; Toyota's luxury brand is Lexus, which is a separate company and branding strategy.
- Infiniti operates within the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance framework, not under Toyota or its branding.
Conclusion: Infiniti remains Nissan's luxury arm and is independent of Toyota's branding and corporate structure.
Does Infiniti share any ties with Toyota?
There are broad industry collaborations among automakers, but there is no official ownership or manufacturing link between Infiniti and Toyota. Infiniti is a Nissan brand, while Toyota's luxury offering is Lexus.
- There is no parent-child relationship between Infiniti and Toyota.
- Infiniti and Lexus (Toyota's luxury brand) target similar premium segments but operate under different corporate umbrellas.
- Any shared technology would come from general industry collaboration or supplier networks, not a brand alignment.
Conclusion: Infiniti is not made by Toyota; it remains Nissan’s luxury division with its own model lineup and branding.
Context and what this means for consumers
For shoppers, the key takeaway is straightforward: Infiniti models are designed and produced by Nissan facilities under Nissan's corporate strategy, while Toyota offers Lexus as its luxury label. This distinction matters for brand identity, warranties, dealership networks, and service experiences.
Summary
Infiniti is Nissan’s luxury brand and has operated independently of Toyota throughout its history. Toyota markets its premium offerings under Lexus, not Infiniti. While automakers collaborate in various ways on technology and production, Infiniti and Toyota are not the same company, and Infiniti is not manufactured by Toyota. For consumers, this means different ownership lines, dealer experiences, and model strategies depending on whether they choose Infiniti (Nissan) or Lexus (Toyota).
