Production of Ineos' Grenadier 4x4s in Hambach (Moselle), suspended since September, will resume “from the beginning of January”, after “the resolution of a critical supply shortage”, the group announced on Wednesday. British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe. “All partners have been informed and are ready to support the resumption of operations” in the factory located in eastern France, very close to the German border, the company said in a press release.
“Significant growth” in China and Mexico
In September, the Hambach production site had to face a situation where it had “very few seats in stock”, reserves which “did not (allow) production to continue”. But this problem was resolved “quickly”, welcomed Lynn Calder, CEO of Ineos Automotive, quoted in the press release, assuring that the company was “not ready to compromise on quality”. “We are therefore satisfied that we have found the best possible result.”
In the summer, Ineos had “already sold as many Grenadiers” as in all of 2023, according to Ms. Calder. The company hopes to have “more than 20,000 Grenadiers on the roads before the end of this year,” according to the CEO. She cites “significant growth in major new markets – notably China and Mexico – and substantial expansion in the United States,” anticipating that 2025 “will be our best year yet.”
No electric model in this factory
Ineos has been producing Grenadiers, robust 4x4s, at the Hambach factory since October 2022, after having bought the Smart factory in 2020 from the German group Daimler (since renamed Mercedes-Benz Group), with the preservation of a majority of the jobs.
On the other hand, the group announced in July that it had put its electric 4×4 project, the Ineos Fusilier, on hold, citing in particular political uncertainties. It was originally to be manufactured in the Hambach factory, but will ultimately be produced in Austria.
France
Related News :