Production-ready Ineos Grenadier models are just around the corner now!
In fact, Ineos has announced that full pricing and specifications for the Grenadier for all markets besides North America will be announced in April 2022. Ineos Australia has announced preliminary pricing and specs already.
At this time you’ll also be able to finalise your order online or through a local dealer.
The company acquired the ex-Smart in Hambach, France in January 2021, and has spent the past 12 months reconfiguring the production line solely for the Ineos Grenadier.
The company has now begun manufacturing its first “production try-out” Grenadier models on the dedicated production line.
Ineos has invested over €50 million ($79 million) in addition to the €470 million ($743 million) invested by Mercedes-Benz in 2019 for the new production line which includes a new semi-autonomous paintshop, as well as an upgraded general assembly facility.
Ineos also says its nearing the end of the first production try-out phase. During this time it has built 130 Grenadier models, which provided crucial information to the engineering team.
These vehicles have been sent around the world, most recently to Australia, for final rounds of testing and certification.
The company is now gearing up for its second production try-out phase that starts in March 2022 and will validate the assembly process and build quality before series production slated for July 2022.
“Some 15,000 customers worldwide have reserved their Grenadier,” said Dirk Heilmann, CEO of INEOS Automotive.
“We want to deliver a vehicle that’s ready, and we won’t cut corners. With the benefit of the highly skilled and experienced team at Hambach, as well as the expertise in safety and quality that we have employed, we are on target to begin series production in July.”
First deliveries of the Grenadier to Australian customers are expected to arrive in mid-2022 according to the Australian website.
MORE: 2022 Ineos Grenadier review, prototype ride-along
Available in a five-seat wagon body, or two- and five-seat utility wagon body initially, there’s also a double cab ute version of the Grenadier that’s confirmed for Australia as well.
It’ll be a spiritual successor to the original Land Rover Defender, and a contemporary competitor to the Jeep Wrangler five-door, Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, and Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Indicative pricing for the Grenadier is from $84,500 before on-road costs. This entry price will apply to both petrol and diesel models, each covered by an unlimited kilometre, five-year warranty.
MORE: Ineos plans to support independent mechanics and the 4×4 aftermarket
Standard fare for the Grenadier will be retuned BMW inline-six engines, stripped back off-road suspension, solid axles, permanent 4×4, a mechanical transfer case for low-range, three diff locks, and a box-section ladder frame chassis.
Australia is considered internally to be a “core launch market” for the Grenadier alongside Europe, the US and South Africa, meaning locals get priority access to the Grenadier.
Ineos Automotive in Australia will be a factory-backed operation rather than an independent licensed distributor.
The company has appointed well-known auto executive Justin Hocevar to head up its Asia-Pacific operations.
Ineos will establish a network of franchise dealers and service centres, but use an agency model – meaning it’ll own all its new and demo stock until the customer takes delivery, which means set prices and access to national inventory from anywhere.
The company is expected to launch in Australia with about 16 dealers, scattered in all capitals alongside a few regional centres. By the end of the year three, the goal is to more than double this and cover 98 per cent of the market.
The company has previously confirmed there’s a hydrogen fuel-cell Grenadier in development, also reportedly an all-electric version is also in the works.
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