Ineos Automotive began production of the Grenadier four-wheel drive vehicles for the North American market last week. The first US-spec Grenadier, a Belstaff Fieldmaster version in Scottish White, rolled off the production line on Thursday. Production is based at its facility in Hambach, France.
The UK-based business, which focuses on tough, practical SUVs, has already received 7,000 orders for the US market. It anticipates starting deliveries to the US in November and to Canada in January. North America is anticipated to be Ineos Automotive’s largest market once it is established.
The Ineos Grenadier is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine and has a full box-section ladder frame chassis with heavy-duty solid beam axles. It includes a variety of features like a 70:30 split rear door and integrated roof bars and is built for versatility and practicality. Modern technology, comfort, and a functional design are all combined in the interior.
Ineos Automotive purchased the Hambach facility from Mercedes-Benz in January 2021 and made over $53.4 million (50 million euros) in improvements to support the production of the Grenadier. The assembly line has cutting-edge components, such as a new, partially automated paint shop, a fully automated body shop and an improved quality centre.
The CEO of Ineos Automotive, Lynn Calder, expressed excitement about the production milestone and emphasised the Hambach plant’s strategic importance. Ineos Automotive, and the Hambach plant in particular, are celebrating a significant milestone with the start of North American vehicle production, according to Calder. “We have been ramping up the production rate over the last six months to ensure we can deliver to customers as quickly as possible while maintaining the world-class quality standards we set for ourselves.”
The North American division of Ineos Automotive, with headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina, is getting ready to reveal its initial list of appointed dealers. The upcoming announcement and the process of bringing the Grenadier to customers excite Greg Clark, Executive Vice President of the Americas for Ineos Automotive. The automaker’s global footprint, which already includes more than 20 markets, will be significantly strengthened by this expansion.
By the end of the decade, Ineos intends to introduce three new models, including two all-electric vehicles, in addition to the Grenadier. A hydrogen-powered version of the Grenadier was also planned, but the launch was delayed due to a lack of infrastructure.