The British-designed, Austrian-engineered and German-powered heavy duty 4×4 will go into production in Wales at the end of 2021 as part of a £600 Million investment directed by one of the richest men in Britain, Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The British-designed, Austrian-engineered and German-powered heavy duty 4×4 will go into production in Wales at the end of 2021 as part of a £600 Million investment directed by one of the richest men in Britain, Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Heavily influenced by the previous Land Rover Defender loved by INEOS Group boss Sir Jim, it will be built in a new factory at Brocastle Industrial Estate, Bridgend and roll off production lines there towards the end of 2021, creating 200 jobs in the factory next to the Ford Bridgend engine plant which closes this year. If demand for the BMW-powered Grenadier lives up to expectations, another 300 jobs will be created and the new factory expanded.
The company images show a long-wheelbase model as well as a double-cab pick-up version but more bodystyles will follow depending on demand from particular markets after it initially goes on sale in the UK and Europe and production is ramped up for global sales in places such as Australia and Africa.
Built from the ground up on an all-new platform, the INEOS Grenadier has been designed on purpose: namely to meet the demands of its future owners for a rugged, capable and comfortable go-anywhere working vehicle.
“The brief was simple. We set out to design a modern, functional and highly capable 4×4 vehicle with utility at its core”, said Toby Ecuyer, Head of Design. “A design that is ‘easy-to-read’, with no ambiguity about the Grenadier’s role in life.Grenadier is highly capable, but we have been able to stay true to the essence of creating a utilitarian vehicle that will stand the test of time”.
Dirk Heilmann, INEOS Automotive’s CEO, said, “We are delighted to be able to share the design of the Grenadier so early in the process. We have a very challenging programme ahead, as we put prototypes through their paces in all conditions, on the way to accumulating some 1.8 million test kilometres over the coming year.”
He has spent 20 years with Ineos and is a self-confessed car-nut, having traversed Fuerteventura in an old Jeep Wrangler and hopes to cross Canada from coast to coast and looks forward to travelling to some of the most remote places on earth with the Grenadier.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman of INEOS, said, “The Grenadier project started by identifying a gap in the market, abandoned by a number of manufacturers, for a utilitarian off-road vehicle. This gave us our engineering blueprint for a capable, durable and reliable 4×4 built to handle the world’s harshest environments. But it had to look the part as well. As you will see today, Toby and his team have done a great job in delivering a design that is both distinctive and purposeful.”
Robin Roberts
Courtesy of Wheel Within Wales