Infiniti confirms Q30 hatchback, QX30 crossover for 2015 production

Buyers may not have to wait until North American production begins in 2017.

A Nissan executive has confirmed that the Infiniti Q30 hatchback and its crossover counterpart, the QX30, will begin production in 2015.

"[Infiniti president] Johan de Nysschen just said that we'll build our Q30 premium compact car and the QX30 crossover in the UK (Sunderland) next year," said Nissan's British-born Chief Planning Officer, Andy Palmer, in a Twitter post. "I'm Proud."

Nissan and Daimler earlier today announced that their new jointly-owned production facility in Mexico is aiming to begin production in 2017. The Q30 and QX30 have been reported as likely products for the plant, which is expected to focus on the Mercedes MFA architecture that underpins both Infiniti models.

The Japanese automaker previously outlined plans to invest more than $400 million to expand the Sunderland facility in preparation for the Q30, bringing the annual capacity up to 60,000 vehicles.

The production identity of the Q30 and QX30 remain unclear, pending formal unveilings that are likely scheduled for early next year.