Production of the Ineos Grenadier has been paused as the company faces a significant shortage of a critical component. This disruption stems from issues with a supplier that is currently grappling with potential bankruptcy.
Ineos Automotive, part of billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s chemical enterprise, announced that manufacturing of the Grenadier SUV and Quartermaster pickup at its Hambach facility in France has been temporarily halted. CEO Lynn Calder highlighted that the production stop is due to a critical component shortage linked to a supplier in a pre-insolvency situation.
Calder noted that while the specific part has not been disclosed, it is essential for completing the vehicles. She explained: “It’s a trim part but one that we can’t sell the car without.”
The resumption of production could be delayed until late 2024 or early 2025.
“The supplier is working diligently to resolve its issues, and we want to provide it the necessary time to do this” Calder added. This setback is particularly challenging as the company has just launched the Quartermaster in Europe.
A spokesperson emphasised the complexity of automotive supply chains, but ensured us that Ineos Automotive South Africa have decent stock levels in bot the Grenadier and Quatermaster: “Our production at Hambach has encountered a critical component shortage beyond our control, causing a pause in our production schedule. This is a temporary challenge, and we expect that production constraints at Hambach will impact supply until the beginning of 2025.
We don’t see this challenge extending further into 2025. Supply chain issues have been impacting the automotive industry for several years now, due to a variety of complex global problems that have changed over time. We are not alone in facing these issues.
However, we have good stock levels of ready-to-go Grenadier and Quartermaster models available across our active markets. Our retail partners will be able to assist customers in locating matching and/or similarly suitable vehicles to fulfill demand during this time. Customers with existing orders which will be delayed are being contacted over the next few days.
We are leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to get our manufacturing back up and running, to catch up with demand as swiftly as we can.”
The Grenadier, which has been in production since 2022, was conceived by Sir Jim in a London pub of the same name. Initially intended to be manufactured in Bridgend, Wales, the company opted for a ready-made facility in France, previously owned by Mercedes, which allows for better supply chain logistics.
Ineos Automotive has received positive feedback from customers globally, with the Grenadier now available in over 45 countries, including upcoming sales in China and Mexico. Having been launched in 2016, the company is projected to sell over 20 000 vehicles by the end of this year.
