This special Shifting Gears episode marks the season finale of “Driving Performance.” Tiago Castro, Vice President of INFINITI Americas, joins Jamie Farley and Paul Kechnie to discuss the brand's bold new direction, its renewed dealer momentum, and what's ahead for luxury retail. Tiago shares the behind-the-scenes story of his decision to lead INFINITI's transformation, revealing how he secured global commitment before accepting his role.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.

02:14 Executive decisions require clear corporate commitment assurance.

05:11 Premium brands are essential for parent company strength.

09:29 Product launches can successfully ignite brand renaissance momentum.

11:57 Strategic model previews generate anticipation for launches.

17:27 Dealer programs should pass three critical effectiveness tests.

19:30 C-suite attendance demonstrates unprecedented organizational commitment levels.

22:42 High-performance manual transmissions still drive enthusiast appeal.

24:09 A hospitality mindset transforms traditional automotive customer experience.

28:09 Dealer confidence translates directly into franchise expansion interest.

32:24 Long-term investment commitments reassure retail network partners.

Additional Resources:

Driving Performance | Website

https://performancebrokerageservices.com/driving-performance-podcast/

Performance Brokerage Services | Website

https://performancebrokerageservices.com/

Performance Brokerage Services | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/performance-brokerage-services

Tiago Castro | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiago-castro-983a104

INFINITI Americas | LinkedIn 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/infinitimotor/

INFINITI Motor Company| Website

https://www.infiniti.com/

Thanks for listening to “Driving Performance.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.

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