LONDON: Ineos Automotive’s French plant in Hambach is back to action stations after a pause in production for the Grenadier and Quartermaster 4X4s.
The resolution of a critical shortage of seats after supplier insolvency at the end of last year saw the production line restart on-time, as announced in November.
The supplier is believed to be Germany's Recaro, which filed for bankruptcy in July 2024 but was rescued months later by Italian auto parts maker Proma Group. Recaro is relaunching this year as OEM production is shifted to Italy.
Meanwhile, the Ineos plant celebrates the start of its third full year of Grenadier series production, with customer orders already leaving the plant gates.
The first vehicle off the line on Jan 16 was a Scottish White Utility Wagon (5-seat) destined for southern France, followed by a pair in Devil Red - a bold, new exterior colour.
Devil Red marks the first opportunity to tweak the product offering for Grenadier Station Wagon and Quartermaster, adding the eleventh shade – a solid red available with the contrast roof in white or black.
Also joining Devil Red off the line for the new year will be customer orders of Grenadier 1924. Adding a package of key lifestyle accessories and premium design flair for customers that want to add timeless and durable style to their 4X4’s substance, the Belstaff centenery celebration special edition is limited to 1,924 units.
All has not been quiet, however. With smart ForTwo production coming to an end earlier in 2024, the now defunct production line has been dismantled to open further space for future Ineos product developments.
“We’re very grateful for the patience of our customers, suppliers and production teams as we worked through a difficult situation," said Ineos Automotive SAS president Philippe Steyer.
"We are very proud of our Hambach facility, it is testament to the grit and rigour that underpins Ineos, reopening the doors ready to build on the solid foundations laid last year”
The Grenadier is now available to customers in 50 countries worldwide, having opened the doors to Mexico and China at the end of 2024.
