Infiniti recently announced that it will raise the MSRP of the all-new 2010 Infiniti QX56 2WD by more than $1,000. In addition, the price for Infiniti auto parts is on the rise as well.

One can only speculate as to the reason for the price increase. Perhaps it is an attempt to recover from price increases for raw materials, distribution, or employee wages. Then again, Infiniti marketing experts may assume that, by hiking the price on the latest model, consumer will be enticed to purchase the lower-priced 2009 models, thereby making way in the showroom. Perhaps the price hike can be attributed to new governmental emission requirements, all of which cost the manufacturer more money in the long run. Or, maybe the reason for the price increase is old fashioned… greed.

While standard maintenance Infiniti auto parts will be available, consumers can expect to pay a higher price for them. Likewise, as the old Infiniti models are replaced by the new, recycled or used parts may prove difficult to find at a reasonable price.

What can consumers expect to receive from the higher priced, new 2010 model? Nothing, except for the higher payments. The only difference between the newer model and the older versions is one color deletion, Serengeti Sand, which was offered for the last time in the 2009 edition. So, if you fell in love with this color, it will not be available in the future for this make and model.

Despite the increase in price, the MSRP for the Infiniti QX56, both in the 2WD and the 4WD versions, remains lower than the Cadillac Escalade and the Lincoln Navigator, the model’s major competitors. And, while Infiniti auto parts may increase in price as well, the price will still remain less than the price of comparable parts for competitor’s models.

Infiniti, the child company of Japanese automobile maker Nissan produces premium vehicles that achieve a new class of quality in the production of their lines of luxury vehicles. Their competition just won’t offer what they do for their price.

The Infiniti 2010 FX line has two engine options available, the V6 and V8. Whether or not you find the power of the FX35 V6 engine enough or opt for the V8 engine which is provided with the FX50 package depends on if you’ll need hauling power and the ability to accelerate from zero to sixty in five seconds. If you opt for the FX35, the rear-wheel-drive of course gets a better mileage than the available four wheel drive and you’ll lose the ability to drive both on-road and off but there is a four-wheel-drive option available as well for those who like the ability to control their own path and drive off-road.

The four-wheel-drive model is available in the Basic Sport Utility package along with the Infiniti V8 engine. With the 5,026 cc, 5 liter V8 front engine outfitted with a 95.5 millimeter bore, 87.7 millimeter stroke, 10.9 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing and camshaft with a total of 32 valves. You won’t find the Basic Sport Utility package lacking for power accented by Infiniti’s typical luxury car attributes.

Whether it’s the “Infiniti Intelligent Key” Push Button Ignition to it’s Rear Active Steer system – the premier of this system in an SUV you won’t find this vehicle lacking. The rear-steering system helps add a degree of response and stability while features such as the push button ignition to cutting edge navigation and entertainment systems help remind you that this is a machine of the future and the features that flesh it out won’t let you forget it.

Infiniti was first introduced to the American public in November of 1989. The Luxury car division of Nissan has dealers in various countries around the world and has more than 230 dealers.

Surprisingly, in the beginning, the Infiniti brand was poorly received in the United States. That may be due in part to an unusual advertising approach. The initial marketing idea was to rely on a Zen influenced advertising concept. All the commercials produced showed beautiful nature themes that focused on tranquility. As relaxing as the commercials may have been, they were all missing one crucial thing: photos of the vehicles. This proved to be not a good idea when trying to introduce a brand new car line up to the American populace. It is rather difficult to build brand recognition when no brand is being shown. The spots were finally pulled and replaced with commercials that actually showed the vehicles. This combined with several award-winning models finally put Infiniti on the map in the luxury automobile division.

The Q45 lead the way for Infiniti. The vehicle had many desirable features and a top of the line engine at the time. Some of the award winning features included the 278 hp V8 engine, four wheel steering and interior luxury options.

For a while, it seemed that Infiniti would have no problem competing against the likes of Acura, Lexus, BMW or Audi. However, the M30, introduced in 1990, was never able to keep up. There were many reasons for this however some of this most prominent include the lake of various in its engine and transmission. There was only one engine offered with the vehicle which was the 162 horsepower Nissan VG30E V6 3000 and only one transmission, the Nissan RE 4R01A 4 speed automatic. Marketed as a sporty two-door coupe, this engine and transmission combination did not offer near the power that the consumers in this market were looking for. The M30 was never a success and Infiniti discontinued it after just 3 years.

The biggest success for Infiniti during the nineties was the introduction of its Luxury SUV, the QX4. Virtually no one else in the market, besides Land Rover, had anything like the QX4, which for the first time, left Acura and other Luxury automakers scrambling to catch up. The QX4 was built on a truck platform and offered the ability to traverse road conditions in relative luxury.

By the year 2000, Infiniti was losing a lot of ground to the competition and it teetered on the edge of extinction. The company was able to redefine its goals and finally come up with a winner. It was introduction of the G35 that finally took Infiniti back to the top. The sporty sedan was very well received and was named Motor Trend Car of the Year in 2003. Its American version the FX35/45 crossover was as equally successful. Finally, Infiniti had hit upon a winning combination: the handling of a sports car with all terrain capability.

With its redefined goals and focus on what a consumers want in a luxury vehicle, Infiniti appears to have a bright future ahead.