As hard as it is to believe, there are two virtually identical versions of the Infiniti M sedan sold in Japan--one wearing Nissan badges and the other badged as a Mitsubishi.

An Infiniti M being sold as a Nissan in Japan is nothing out of the ordinary, as this has always been the case with Infiniti models, with several other examples of the upmarket vehicles also donning Nissan badges for sale in the automaker’s home market.

However, this is the first time that the cars have been badged as a Mitsubishi.

Mitsubishi revives Proudia and Dignity nameplates

Mitsubishi is returning to the luxury segment in Japan after an almost decade-long hiatus with the revival of its upmarket Proudia and Dignity nameplates. While the previous generations of both cars were developed by Mitsubishi, though versions of both were also sold as Hyundais in some markets, but that’s another story, the latest Proudia and Dignity are just rebadged versions of the Infiniti M.

The Mitsubishi Proudia is based on the regular Infiniti M and comes with the choice of 2.5-liter V-6 and 3.7-liter V-6 engines, and rear-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations. The Nissan version is labeled a Fuga.

The Mitsubishi Dignity, meanwhile, is based on the long-wheelbase Infiniti M35hL, which is also sold in China, and comes exclusively with Infiniti’s 3.5-liter V-6 and electric motor hybrid combo. The Nissan version of this model is called the Cima.

Unlikely to be offered by Mitsubishi USA

As Carscoop points out, the only differences between the Mitsubishi and Infiniti versions are minor cosmetic changes, like the addition of a revised bumper and grille plus new badges. At current exchange rates, pricing of the Proudia starts around $50,400 while the Dignity lists for as much as $105,200.

All of this suggests that the Mitsubishi versions of the Infiniti M are unlikely to be offered to U.S. customers.

If you’re wondering why Infiniti would allow Mitsubishi to sell a competing version of its flagship sedan in the first place, the reason stems from a product-sharing deal agreed by Mitsubishi and Nissan back in 2010. In return for the M, Mitsubishi will supply Nissan with a new electric commercial vehicle. There’s also thought to be collaboration on the development of a range of new minicars, or ‘Kei’ cars as they’re labeled in Japan.

Japanese-market Mitsubishi Proudia is a rebadged Infiniti M

Japanese-market Mitsubishi Proudia is a rebadged Infiniti M