by Michael Satterfield - 05/24/2021
I recently had the chance to spend some time with the team from Ineos Automotive and their first vehicle the Ineos Grenadier, a purpose-built, rugged, 4X4 that they plan to bring to the US market by 2023. The early pre-production prototype that was on display is as close to the production vehicle that those of us in the media have had a chance to see yet.
But let's get the first question out of the way, what is Ineos, and why are they building a utilitarian SUV? Ineos Group Ltd is a British multinational corporation that has around 20 standalone businesses that operate almost entirely autonomously. Ineos was founded by Sir Jim Ratcliffe in 1989, with his background in chemical engineering and the financing of a private equity group, Sir Jim has built Ineos into a multibillion-dollar empire that touches almost industry in some way.
Ineos Automotive was founded in 2017 to develop an SUV that would be able to rival legendary offroad vehicles like the original Land Rover Defender and Mercedes G-Class. Ineos is also a one-third shareholder in the Mercedes-AMF Petronas Formula One Team. As to why they are building a utilitarian SUV, they say it is simply because there is a gap in the market that a niche manufacturer like Ineos can fill, and like all great ideas it started out with a sketch on a napkin at a pub.
Ineos Automotive Executive Vice President Greg Clark
To bring the Grenadier to the US market Ineos has brought on a team of automotive industry veterans led by Executive Vice President Greg Clark, who was on hand to answer questions and share the vision that Ineos has for the Grenadier in the US and globally. Clark brings with him years of experience working for major automotive brands like Jaguar/Land Rover, Mercedes, and Acura. However, the Grenadier is far from your typical SUV and Ineos Automotive is certainly not your typical automotive start-up. They are one of the only new automakers not banking their entire brand and funding on an all-electric platform seven-figure hypercar, instead, Ineos is offering a rugged no-frills SUV.
Unlike many other recent automotive startups, the Grenadier is not just vaporware, not only is the prototype we were shown touring the country, but over one hundred prototypes are in various stages of testing around the world, from the mountains of Austria to the deserts of South Africa. The Grenadier’s testing program will see prototypes accumulate over one million miles in a range of environments around the world.
The Grenadier will be powered by a BMW inline-six-cylinder here in the US, overseas versions will also get a diesel. The four-door SUV will be the only body style offered at launch, but a pickup truck variant will likely be released down the road, however, the truck version like the diesel will likely only be offered overseas. As expected official pricing won't be released until much later, but Mr. Clark indicated that the Grenadier will be competitively priced with the upper-end stickers of the Wrangler and Bronco.
We should also expect to see Grenadiers taking on off-road motorsports challenges, while nothing has been announced, it wouldn't be shocking to see specialized Grenadiers taking on Baja, Dakar, or Sonora as a way to not only prove their metal with hardcore enthusiasts but to also spread the word to the general buying public. Telling the Grenadier's story is going to be the deciding factor for Ineos making it as an automotive manufacturer, so they have to get that part right.
In my opinion, there are two retail buyers for the Grenadier, the hardcore enthusiasts who have been following the development of the vehicle since its start, and just need to know where to put their deposits down. The other group is the lifestyle buyer, they like the aesthetic and the capability, but won't really do much in the world of hardcore off-roading. The second group is the larger segment of the population and the one that Ineos has to reach if they hope to become a retail success. It is tapping into that same part of the brain that makes someone choose a Triumph motorcycle over a Honda or a pair of Persols over Oakleys. They might do the same job, but they tell a different story.
While it is yet to be seen if the new Grenadier will be the cool new SUV that can transcend class and become an automotive icon, from what I have seen they are off to a good start. Now I just can't wait to get behind the wheel of one to see if it can live up to its rugged looks and slick design features.
For more info and updates visit ineosgrenadier.com.
_websize.jpg)
