Production of Ineos Automotive's Grenadier 4x4s in Hambach (Moselle), suspended since September due to a “seat shortage”resumed his “full activity”a first vehicle having already left the site, the group of British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe announced on Thursday. “The resolution of a critical shortage of seats caused by the bankruptcy of a supplier late last year allowed production to resume on schedule”the company said in a press release. This allows the Hambach factory, very close to the German border, to start producing again “fully”.
“The factory is restarting, ready to build on the solid foundations laid last year”indicated Philippe Steyer, president of Ineos Automotive SAS, quoted in the press release. “We have some catching up to do, but we are determined to meet this challenge”added Lynn Calder, president and CEO of Ineos Automotive, quoted in the press release, while welcoming a “growth of more than 40%” carried out in 2024.
A Grenadier has already left the site on Thursday, for delivery to the south of France, according to Ineos. Two other Grenadiers follow on the assembly line. The factory was still producing the Smart Fortwo until spring 2024. The suspension of Grenadier production therefore made it possible to “dismantle the now obsolete manufacturing lines and thus free up space for the development of future products” Ineos, according to the group. After its launch in Mexico and China at the end of 2024, the Grenadier is now marketed in 50 countries around the world, according to the group.
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