Infiniti moving headquarters from Hong Kong to Japan

Infiniti is moving closer to its parent company.

Infiniti says the move will "provide greater efficiencies and enhance collaboration with parent Nissan,” which is based in Yokohama. That integration will be key for Infiniti as it ramps up development of its next-generation battery-powered vehicles.

Despite moving back in with its parent company, Infiniti vows to continue operating as an independent premium brand. However, Infiniti will share architecture, technologies and back-office functions with Nissan.

Infiniti established its headquarters in Hong Kong in 2012 as a way to better understand the Chinese market. Infiniti currently employs 180 people at its Hong Kong HQ; it's not known if Infiniti will extend a relocation offer to all of those employees.

Infiniti's move back to Japan comes at a turbulent time for Nissan. Corporate partner Renault is currently holding merger talks with FCA, and it's unclear how Nissan would fit into that proposed 50-50 partnership. Renault holds a 43 percent stake in Nissan.