Envisioning, producing, and selling a new vehicle from scratch is a seriously tall order, even for a billionaire. Various hurdles and set-backs are expected, especially when dealing with a vehicle segment that sits well outside the standard SUV or sedan arena. The Ineos Grendier is a brand-new product from a brand-new company, and one that’s caught plenty of attention.
Last year, the first North American examples were made available through a network of 21 associated dealers, the first of which was delivered in Scottish White, while earlier this year, the company announced that it had sold out for 2024, effectively pushing any orders beyond that point to a 2025 delivery date. That’s great news for a young brand, but this week, Ineos’ Grenadier production unfortunately came to a halt and there’s been no definitive restart established.
What’s the Hold Up?
The cease in production is attributed to a “trim part,” according to Ineos. The company refers to said part as a critical component and that without it, the vehicles cannot be sold. The source of the problem is the trim part’s supplier, who Ineos has kept tight-lipped about, only adding that the supplier is currently facing a pre-isolvency situation.
If you’re like most, you’re currently questioning why an auto brand with a billionaire owner doesn’t just turn to a different supplier to produce the part and keep things moving. To that end, Ineos’ chief executive, Lynn Calder, stated, “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.” Meanwhile, Ineos is in fact in search of another company that can produce the missing part in the meantime. The only estimate given was a potential production return in late 2024 or early 2025.
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How The Grenadier Was Born
If you’re not familiar with the Ineos Grenadier, then one glance at the images that accompanied your click probably had you scratching your head, as its resemblance to Land Rover’s classic Defender is uncanny, and that’s no accident. Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire CEO of Ineos, a massive British chemical outfit, had a thing for Defenders, and when he found out production was ending, offered to buy Land Rover’s remaining tooling at the time in order to keep the off-road capable SUV going. His offer was rejected.
Down but not out, Ratcliffe did what every great upstart does and sketched out his version of a Defender-like vehicle on a napkin, which would later serve as the catalyst for Ineos Automotive. The purchase of a once well-used Mercedes factory followed and midway through a very tumultuous 2020, the Grenadier made its first public appearance and today, is available for purchase, though based on this new production issue, will be hit with a significant wait time for potential buyers.
New Blood Facing An Uphill Battle
The setback comes on the heels of the brand’s second vehicle, the Quartermaster being made available to the European market. The pick-up truck version of the Grenadier can also be purchased in the U.S., but as CarBuzz reported earlier this year, its price is elevated due to the “chicken tax” that adds a 25% tariff to light-duty trucks built outside the U.S., then sold here. No word on if the Grenadier trim part also affects the pick-up.
It will, however, have an effect on the new automakers’ plans to launch their products into both the Mexican and Chinese markets, which may have to be put on the back burner. This, not long after Ineos announced an indefinite hold on their first EV effort, the G-body-esque Fusilier, which is a result of reduced EV demand by consumers and uncertain tax and tariffs that might accompany the electrified off-roader.
What Could It Possibly Be?
Ineos is keeping te details private, but in most eyes, a trim part wouldn’t stop a vehicle from being sold and later updated once said part is available. Poke around the internet’s vast number of watercooler conversations and one theory, and, it’s only a theory, is that the trim part is actually the vehicle’s seating. The idea’s been mentioned multiple times and the thought is that with Recaro being the Grenadier’s seat producer and that company going through a very public bankruptcy, both story lines connect.
With any luck, the situation holding up production clears up and Ineos continues its push to offer their unique take on the capable off-road SUV and truck market.