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Creating a new vehicle from the ground up is a daunting challenge, even for billionaires. Numerous obstacles and delays are anticipated, particularly when venturing beyond the conventional SUV or sedan categories. The Ineos Grenadier is an entirely new offering from a fledgling company that has garnered significant attention.
Last year marked the rollout of the first Grenadier units in North America, facilitated through a network of 21 associated dealerships. The inaugural vehicle was delivered in Scottish White, and earlier this year, the company revealed that all 2024 models had already sold out, pushing subsequent orders to a 2025 delivery date. While this is encouraging news for a new brand, Ineos faced a setback this week as Grenadier production was halted, with no clear timeline for resuming operations.
What’s Causing the Delay?
The production suspension has been linked to an issue concerning a “trim part,” which Ineos identifies as a vital component necessary for the sale of the vehicles. The problem stems from the supplier of this part, details of which Ineos has kept under wraps, except to confirm that the supplier is facing serious financial difficulties.
This development raises questions, particularly regarding why a billionaire-backed auto brand doesn’t simply seek another supplier for the part to maintain production flow. In response to this, Ineos CEO Lynn Calder commented, “I know that the supplier is working really hard to try and turn around their business, and I want to give them every opportunity to do that.” Despite this, Ineos is actively searching for an alternative source that can supply the missing component, with production potentially resuming in late 2024 or early 2025.
The Genesis of the Grenadier
If you’re unfamiliar with the Ineos Grenadier, its visual similarity to Land Rover’s classic Defender might be striking. This resemblance is intentional; Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire head of Ineos, admired the Defender and, upon learning of its production cessation, sought to acquire the remaining manufacturing equipment to continue producing the rugged SUV. His offer was declined.
Undeterred, Ratcliffe took the initiative to sketch his idea for a Defender-like vehicle on a napkin, sparking the formation of Ineos Automotive. Following this, he purchased a largely unused Mercedes factory, and amid a tumultuous 2020, the Grenadier made its debut. Currently, it is available for sale, but buyers may face extended wait times due to the recent production issues.
A New Player Facing Challenges
This setback coincides with the rollout of Ineos’s second model, the Quartermaster, which has launched in the European market. The pickup variant of the Grenadier is also available for purchase in the U.S. However, CarBuzz reported earlier this year that its pricing is impacted by the “chicken tax,” which imposes a 25% tariff on light-duty trucks manufactured abroad and sold in the U.S. It remains unclear whether the trim component issue will also affect the pickup model.
Nonetheless, this situation could disrupt the company’s ambitions to expand into the Mexican and Chinese markets, pushing these plans to the back burner. This comes shortly after Ineos announced an indefinite hold on its first electric vehicle project, the G-body-inspired Fusilier, due to a decrease in consumer demand for EVs and uncertainties surrounding associated taxes and tariffs.
Speculating the Cause
Ineos is withholding specific details, but many speculate that a trim part wouldn’t typically hinder a vehicle’s sale, as modifications can usually be made post-sale. One prominent theory—though it is purely speculative—is that the trim part might refer to the vehicle’s seating. This assumption is bolstered by the fact that Recaro, the Grenadier’s seat supplier, has faced a widely publicized bankruptcy, creating a potential connection between the two narratives.
Hopefully, the challenges affecting production will be resolved, allowing Ineos to continue its mission to deliver a distinctive take on the off-road SUV and truck market.
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