Ineos confirms Mercedes factory acquisition
New Grenadier will be built alongside Smart models in France
Ineos has taken its most significant step yet towards Grenadier production with the acquisition of a high-tech production facility in Hambach, near the French/German border. The former Mercedes-Benz site – bought for an undisclosed sum – currently builds Smart EV models, but it is said to be ready for ‘large’ vehicle manufacturing. Ineos will continue to produce Smart’s EQ fortwo at the facility under contract with Mercedes, further strengthening ties between the two brands and presumably providing it with an additional revenue stream.
The agreement - which takes place nine months since Ineos confirmed its partnership with Mercedes-AMG’s F1 team, and five months since the Grenadiar was digitally unveiled - is set to create 1,300 new jobs. Ineos said the deal means its 4x4 is on course to arrive on roads at the start of 2022, with the Hambach site set to start production at the end of next year. Group chairman, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, added that “Hambach presented [the firm] with a unique opportunity that [it] simply could not ignore: to buy a modern automotive manufacturing facility with a world-class workforce.”
Ineos CEO, Dirk Heilmann, reckons that the Hambach site represents the company’s “biggest milestone yet in the development of the Grenadier”. He said that preparations are underway “to build [the] 4x4 from late next year for delivery to customers around the globe.”
It’s not yet clear how existing deals with the likes of production specialist Magna Steyr will be affected. The Austrian firm – which knows a serious amount about building genuine off-roaders – has been helping with development of the BMW-powered Grenadiar, and earlier plans suggested the finished machine would be made at a purpose-built plant in Bridgend. At that stage, Ineos said it intended to make 25,000 units per year. It’s possible that the Hambach plant’s larger capacity could see that number increase.
https://twitter.com/faisalislam/status/13363332650...
To varying degrees I think all of the below can tick at least two of those above.
James Dyson
Richard Branson
Jim Ratcliffe
Phillip Green
I am sure if the public get their way the next will be Mr L Hamilton - another tax exile....
It's the logical decision - but the problem was the PR was designed to be without pure logic and suffused with patriotism - this car will end up being as British as the new Defender which is a little ironic.
Mind you - workers in France Germany and other countries should be scared as well - I mean the new BMW X3 electric being built in China in JV with a company wholly owned by the Chinese Government - I think Auto workers throughout Europe may be in for a rude awakening as tough new emission legislation sees their jobs offshored and all effective power going to this new market, with Daimler seemingly at the forefront of reducing the importance of German manufacture in its communication.
The one strange thing was the Crossblade production, if anyone remembers these. They were pushed to the side at their end of the production line and seemingly forgotten... Maybe waiting collection by Robbie Williams?
Good luck to Ineos.
Looks totally pointless now and will
Have to complete on merit will be hard
When for instance a Hilux is about 20 k tows 3.5 tons
Has a world wide Service network and proven
Reliability , you can also get a base model Landcruiser for a few thousand more !!!
INEOS Group Chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe said: “We have looked long and hard at possible manufacturing locations for Grenadier across the world with lots of good options to choose from. The decision to build in the UK is a significant expression of confidence in British manufacturing, which has always been at the heart of what INEOS stands for.”
Also, they've already started building the infrastructure around the new (now not to be) Bridgend plant!! Someones already out of pocket.
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