Deliveries at Nissan Motor Co.'s Infiniti luxury brand jumped nearly 34 percent year on year to 40,188 vehicles in 2015, reflecting higher volumes for two locally produced models.

 

Combined sales of the two models, the long-wheelbase version of the Q50 sedan and the QX50 crossover, reached 23,431 vehicles, accounting for 58 percent of Infiniti's volume, according to Infiniti's China office.

 

The two models are built at Nissan's joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Corp. in the central China city of Xiangyang.

 

Infiniti did not disclose sales of other individual models.

 

Local production has helped Infiniti to offer more competitive prices, since the Q50 and QX50 are not subject to steep import tariffs. Nissan has taken other steps to boost Infiniti volume, such as expanding its network of dealerships.

 

As of December, Infiniti had 112 dealerships in China, up from 80 in 2014. This year, Infiniti will open more stores and launch sales of the all-wheel-drive QX30 baby crossover.

 

Globally, Infiniti sold 215,250 vehicles in 2015, an increase of 16 percent compared with 2014.