Celebrating Infiniti’s 35+ Years of Luxury

For over three and a half decades, Infiniti has been redefining what luxury means for discerning drivers around the world. Did you know that since its founding in 1989, Infiniti has sold more than 2.6 million vehicles globally? Right here in Duarte, at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, this legacy of excellence continues at Sierra Infiniti of Duarte, where Southern California drivers experience firsthand how 35+ years of continuous innovation has created a truly unique luxury automotive experience. As you navigate Huntington Drive or cruise along the I-210 corridor, the Infiniti vehicles you encounter represent the culmination of decades of engineering refinement, design evolution, and unwavering commitment to delivering performance with distinction. This milestone anniversary isn't just about looking back—it's about appreciating how Sierra Infiniti of Duarte continues to bring this celebrated heritage to life for our local community. Join us as we explore Infiniti's remarkable journey from ambitious newcomer to established luxury icon, and discover how these 35+ years of development have created the exceptional vehicles now available to Duarte drivers. Understanding this rich legacy provides valuable context for appreciating why today's Infiniti models offer such a compelling blend of luxury, performance, and innovation.
35 Years of Innovation: How Infiniti Transformed the Luxury Automotive Experience
When Infiniti launched in 1989, the luxury automotive landscape was dominated by established European marques with decades—sometimes centuries—of heritage. Entering this competitive arena required not just excellent products but a fundamentally different approach to the entire luxury experience. From its earliest days, Infiniti recognized that true luxury encompasses more than just premium materials and advanced features; it requires a holistic philosophy that places the driver at the center of every decision.
This driver-centric approach has guided the brand through 35 years of continuous innovation, resulting in vehicles that offer a uniquely engaging experience behind the wheel. According to J.D. Power's 2024 Customer Service Index Study, Infiniti ranks among the top three luxury brands in overall customer satisfaction—a testament to the brand's enduring commitment to excellence beyond just product features. For Duarte drivers, this means that when you visit Sierra Infiniti, you're not just accessing premium vehicles but becoming part of a tradition of exceptional ownership experiences. The dealership maintains this philosophy through attentive service, knowledgeable staff, and a genuine understanding of what luxury means to San Gabriel Valley residents. Over the decades, Infiniti has introduced numerous innovations that have pushed the boundaries of what's possible in a luxury vehicle, from early advances like the world's first backup camera in a luxury car to groundbreaking design elements that continue to distinguish the brand today. This legacy of forward-thinking engineering and distinctive style is evident in every vehicle on our Duarte showroom floor.
Milestone Moments: The Key Achievements That Defined Infiniti's Legacy
Driving around Duarte today, it's easy to spot the distinctive presence of Infiniti vehicles on local roads like Huntington Drive and Mountain Avenue. But what journey led to this well-established presence in our community? The answer lies in a series of defining achievements that transformed Infiniti from ambitious newcomer to respected luxury icon.
For luxury car shoppers in the San Gabriel Valley who value both heritage and innovation, understanding these milestone moments provides valuable context for the Infiniti vehicles available at Sierra Infiniti of Duarte today. Each achievement represents another step in the brand's ongoing commitment to redefining luxury on its own terms.
- 1989: The Revolutionary Launch – Infiniti debuts with the Q45 sedan featuring a groundbreaking 278-horsepower V8 and active suspension, establishing performance credentials that continue to distinguish the brand
- 1996: The Q45's Technological Leap – Introduction of vehicle-integrated GPS navigation, bringing cutting-edge technology to Duarte drivers years before it became common in luxury vehicles
- 2003: The G35 Revolution – Launch of the award-winning G35 sedan and coupe that earned Motor Trend's Car of the Year award and redefined expectations for Japanese luxury performance
- 2008: Around View Monitor – Introduction of the world's first 360-degree camera system, perfect for navigating tight parking situations at Duarte Town Center and other local destinations
- 2014: Direct Adaptive Steering – Debut of the world's first digital steering system, providing customizable steering response for everything from relaxed cruising on I-210 to spirited driving in the San Gabriel Mountains
These innovations established Infiniti as a forward-thinking brand that approaches luxury from a unique perspective. This spirit of innovation continues in the first Infiniti models that established the brand and remains evident in today's lineup at Sierra Infiniti of Duarte.
Global Recognition: How Infiniti Became an International Luxury Benchmark
What began as a bold experiment in North America has evolved into a respected global luxury brand with presence in over 50 countries. This international expansion represents one of Infiniti's most significant achievements over its 35+ year history.
Infiniti's journey to global recognition began with careful expansion into strategic markets, gradually building a worldwide reputation for distinctive vehicles that offer a compelling alternative to traditional European luxury. The brand's unique combination of Japanese craftsmanship, performance-focused engineering, and bold design has resonated with discerning drivers around the world.
- Strategic market expansion: After establishing itself in North America, Infiniti entered the Middle Eastern market in 1996, followed by Korea in 2005 and Russia in 2006
- European introduction: The brand made its European debut in 2008, challenging established luxury marques on their home turf
- Chinese market entry: Infiniti began selling vehicles in China in 2007, quickly establishing itself in the world's largest automotive market
- Global production: The opening of manufacturing facilities in the UK and China demonstrated the brand's commitment to becoming a truly global luxury automaker
- International racing success: Participation in Formula 1 through the Infiniti Red Bull Racing partnership from 2011-2015 showcased the brand's performance credentials on the world stage
This global recognition has direct benefits for Duarte drivers. As Infiniti continues to compete and succeed in demanding international markets, the vehicles offered at Sierra Infiniti of Duarte benefit from the brand's commitment to meeting the highest global standards for quality, performance, and innovation.
According to Interbrand's Best Global Brands report, Infiniti has consistently ranked among the world's most valuable automotive brands, with particularly strong performance in metrics related to design distinctiveness and customer experience—qualities that are immediately apparent when you visit our Duarte showroom.
Innovation Beyond Vehicles: Infiniti's Contributions to Automotive Technology
How has Infiniti's technological innovation changed the driving experience for Duarte residents over the past 35 years? The answer reveals the brand's far-reaching impact on automotive development.
Throughout its history, Infiniti has pioneered technologies that have not only enhanced its own vehicles but influenced the entire automotive industry. This commitment to innovation is particularly valuable for drivers in Duarte and the surrounding San Gabriel Valley, where diverse driving conditions demand vehicles with advanced capabilities.
Lane departure prevention, first introduced by Infiniti in 2004, has proven especially valuable for Duarte commuters navigating busy Southern California freeways. This technology, now widely adopted throughout the industry, had its luxury market debut in Infiniti vehicles, demonstrating the brand's commitment to practical innovations that enhance safety and convenience.
Similarly, Infiniti's development of the world's first production variable compression turbo engine represents a fundamental advance in internal combustion technology. This innovative powertrain, available in vehicles at Sierra Infiniti of Duarte, provides both the performance expected of a luxury vehicle and the efficiency increasingly important to environmentally conscious California drivers.
A local success story illustrates the real-world impact of these innovations: A Duarte resident who commutes daily to downtown Los Angeles credits his Infiniti QX50's ProPILOT Assist system with transforming his stressful rush-hour drive into a significantly more relaxed experience. The system's intelligent cruise control and steering assistance technologies, developed through decades of Infiniti innovation, provide practical benefits that enhance quality of life for local drivers.
The Duarte Connection: How Infiniti and Sierra Infiniti Have Grown Together
What makes Duarte such an ideal home for Infiniti's luxury heritage? The answer lies in the special relationship between this distinctive brand and our unique Southern California community.
Sierra Infiniti of Duarte has evolved alongside the Infiniti brand, growing from its early days to become the premier luxury automotive destination in the San Gabriel Valley. This parallel development has created a dealership perfectly attuned to both the brand's values and the specific needs of local drivers.
Duarte's strategic location at the edge of the San Gabriel Mountains provides the varied driving environments where Infiniti vehicles truly shine. From navigating city streets to cruising scenic mountain roads, local conditions showcase the perfect balance of performance and comfort that has defined Infiniti throughout its 35+ year history.
The community's demographics align perfectly with Infiniti's target audience: discerning professionals who value distinctive design, engaging performance, and thoughtful innovation. This natural fit has helped Sierra Infiniti of Duarte build lasting relationships with customers throughout the region, from Monrovia and Arcadia to Azusa and Glendora.
Over the years, Sierra Infiniti has demonstrated its commitment to the local community through sponsorship of events at City of Hope National Medical Center, participation in Duarte Route 66 Parade, and support for education initiatives at local schools. These activities reflect Infiniti's global philosophy of meaningful community engagement.
As both the brand and the dealership celebrate over three decades of growth and achievement, Sierra Infiniti of Duarte continues to embody the best of what Infiniti represents: distinctive luxury with a personal touch, advanced technology with practical benefits, and performance that enhances everyday driving.
Test Your Knowledge: Infiniti Anniversary Edition
As we celebrate Infiniti's 35+ year journey, test your knowledge of the brand's connection to Duarte with this quick question:
Which Infiniti technology innovation has proven most valuable for drivers navigating the unique traffic patterns of the San Gabriel Valley?
A) The world's first production variable compression turbo engine
B) ProPILOT Assist with intelligent cruise control and steering assistance
C) Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection
D) Infiniti InTouch dual touchscreen system
The answer reveals how Infiniti's commitment to practical innovation has created features particularly well-suited to the specific driving challenges encountered in and around Duarte.
Infiniti's 35-Year Timeline of Major Achievements
Year | Milestone Achievement | Significance to the Brand | Impact for Duarte Drivers |
1989 | Brand launch with Q45 flagship sedan | Established Infiniti as a performance-focused luxury alternative | Introduced Southern California to a new vision of Japanese luxury |
2003 | Introduction of G35 sedan and coupe | Motor Trend Car of the Year award; sales breakthrough | Perfect vehicle for both I-210 commutes and Angeles Crest Highway drives |
2007 | Launch of first Infiniti crossover (FX) | Created "Bionic Cheetah" design language | Ideal for Duarte families needing versatility without sacrificing performance |
2014 | Introduction of Q50 with Direct Adaptive Steering | World's first digital steering system in a production car | Customizable steering response for diverse San Gabriel Valley driving conditions |
2019 | Launch of QX50 with VC-Turbo engine | World's first production variable compression engine | Balanced performance and efficiency for environmentally conscious Duarte drivers |
2024 | 35th Anniversary Celebration | Recognition of brand's enduring luxury heritage | Special events and offers at Sierra Infiniti of Duarte |
Experience the Legacy of Luxury at Sierra Infiniti of Duarte
Throughout this celebration of Infiniti's remarkable 35+ year journey, we've explored how a bold vision has evolved into a distinguished global luxury brand. From groundbreaking innovations like the original Q45's active suspension to today's cutting-edge variable compression turbo engine, Infiniti has consistently pushed the boundaries of what's possible in a luxury vehicle while maintaining its distinctive approach to premium automotive experiences.
At Sierra Infiniti of Duarte, we're proud to represent this extraordinary legacy in the San Gabriel Valley. Our showroom features the latest expressions of Infiniti's 35+ years of continuous refinement—vehicles that combine engaging performance, distinctive design, and thoughtful innovation in ways that perfectly complement the Southern California lifestyle.
Our team's deep understanding of Infiniti's heritage allows us to provide an ownership experience that honors the brand's traditions while embracing its forward-looking spirit. From the moment you enter our dealership, you'll discover how the history of Infiniti informs every aspect of our approach to customer service, vehicle presentation, and ongoing support.
We invite you to visit Sierra Infiniti of Duarte to experience firsthand how 35+ years of luxury innovation have created vehicles of exceptional character and capability. Whether you're drawn to the athletic performance of the Q50 sport sedan, the versatile luxury of the QX60 family crossover, or any other model in our lineup, you'll discover how Infiniti's rich heritage enhances your driving life in tangible, meaningful ways.