Infiniti is First Automotive Manufacturer to Offer Consumer Ratings and Reviews

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Recognizing both the power of recommendation and the well-established role of online research in the decision to purchase a new vehicle, Infiniti has become the first automotive company to provide consumer-generated reviews and ratings for its products on the brand's website.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080506/INFINITIBADGELOGO )

Visitors to www.InfinitiUSA.com can read reviews from Infiniti owners. 900 reviews on seven different vehicles are currently available, and reviews will be continuously added as the brand solicits them through ongoing communication with its owners.  In early 2011, Infiniti will allow owners to submit reviews directly from www.InfinitiUSA.com.

"The Infiniti ownership experience extends well beyond the driving experience of our owners and into their lifestyle, which includes peer-to-peer and social media channels," said Ben Poore, vice president, Infiniti Business Unit.  "Providing the forum for Infiniti owners to share their experience with others who are researching and considering an Infiniti is a natural extension for us of the total ownership experience.  And, we know our current owners are our best advocates."

In addition to providing consumer-generated content on its website, the Infiniti brand is active in many social media channels because Infiniti desires to connect with owners and allow them to connect with each other.  For example, in recent months Infiniti Facebook members have participated in exclusive new vehicle launch driving programs for the 2011 Infiniti M and 2011 Infiniti QX.

Infiniti's partner in adding the owner-generated content to its website is Bazaarvoice.

"Bazaarvoice was founded five years ago with the vision of bringing the voice of the customer into the center of the brand experience," said Brett Hurt, founder and CEO of Bazaarvoice.  "Infiniti's launch of Ratings & Reviews marks an important first for automotive sector and another key milestone for our company.  We're proud to partner with Infiniti in giving drivers a voice on the Infiniti site and providing the information that shoppers need to move from research to purchase.  Reviewers are associating words like "love," "performance", "quality," "fun to drive", and "power" with the brand, inspiring confidence in shoppers and encouraging them to spend more time with the Infiniti brand, request a brochure, visit a dealer, and ultimately become loyal Infiniti owners themselves."

The program began this spring and will expand over the next few months as more reviews are posted to the site and additional Infiniti owners share their reviews. In addition to creating a transparent forum for people to talk about their Infiniti, the reviews also provide the brand with valuable information and insight.  

"We value this additional channel of feedback from our customers," said Poore.  "Our team will be reviewing the content for insights and opportunities to continue to refine and enhance both our products and our ownership experience."

About Infiniti

Infiniti offers a full-line of luxury performance automobiles that inspire at every turn, including the G Coupe, Sedan and Convertible, M sedan, EX and FX crossovers, and the QX full-size SUV.  More information about Infiniti and its Total Ownership Experience® can be found at www.InfinitiUSA.com.

About Bazaarvoice

Bazaarvoice's Software as a Service (SaaS) social commerce solutions have served more than 150 billion pieces of customer-generated content on more than 950 brand web sites like Best Buy, Blue Shield of California, Costco, Dell, Macy's, P&G, Panasonic, QVC, and USAA in 36 countries. The company connects organizations to their influencers through a unique network that reaches hundreds of millions of consumers around the globe, enabling authentic customer-powered marketing. Through syndication, analytics, partnerships, and consulting, Bazaarvoice brings the voice of the customer to the center of their clients' business strategy, proving "social" can drive measured revenue growth and cost savings for manufacturing, retail, travel, and financial services companies. Headquartered in Austin, the company has offices in Amsterdam, Düsseldorf, London, Paris, Singapore, and Sydney. For more information and access to client success stories, visit www.bazaarvoice.com, read the blog at www.bazaarvoice.com/blog, and follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bazaarvoice.

SOURCE Infiniti