Wales will receive an employment and investment boost with a new car plant to build a utilitarian 4x4 vehicle, as production is planned for 2021.
The vehicle will be called Grenadier, after the pub in which the project was conceived in January 2017, and following an online poll of more than 6,000 international fans and followers responding to select the vehicle’s name.
Ineos also confirmed that the Grenadier will be built in a bespoke new manufacturing facility on a greenfield site in Bridgend. This will create 200 jobs initially, and up to 500 in the long term. Site development is now under way to support planned start of production in 2021.
The vehicle will be called Grenadier, after the pub in which the project was conceived in January 2017, and following an online poll of more than 6,000 international fans and followers responding to select the vehicle’s name.
Ineos also confirmed that the Grenadier will be built in a bespoke new manufacturing facility on a greenfield site in Bridgend. This will create 200 jobs initially, and up to 500 in the long term. Site development is now under way to support planned start of production in 2021.
Ineos Group chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe said: “We have looked long and hard at possible manufacturing locations for Grenadier across the world with lots of good options to choose from. The decision to build in the UK is a significant expression of confidence in British manufacturing, which has always been at the heart of what Ineos stands for.”
The Welsh Government, and the Welsh Automotive Forum have been supportive of the plane and will be some solace for Bridgend with the loss of Jaguar Land Rover engine production at Ford's facility in 2019, and plans to close its engine plant completely in 2020.
Welsh Government economy and transport minister Ken Skates said: “Today’s announcement is great news for Wales and I’m delighted Ineos Automotive will be setting up home in Bridgend which has a long history of skilled manufacturing expertise. The Welsh Government has worked closely with the company to make this happen and I look forward to seeing the development of the new site progress ahead of the planned start of production in 2021.”
The vehicle will be designed as an authentic workhorse off-roader, with a ladder frame and separate chassis. It will have beam axles to maximise contact with surfaces off road, and improve traction, and have locking differentials.
It will be equipped with petrol and diesel engines, in-line six-cylinder units sourced from BMW, as well as the latest ZF automatic transmissions used by BMW in conjunction with the engines.
Ineos chief executive Dirk Heilmann said the company will be able to tune the engines for a greater torque bias, while optimising longevity. He added that the car will be compliant with global regulations for vehicles, and meet customer expectations for safety technology.
The organisation identified a gap in the market when the Land Rover Defender was discontinued in 2016, and while the new Defender is about to go on sale, Ineos believes there will be a role for a lower priced, more rugged workhorse for farmers and fleets.
The Grenadier is expected to be unveiled in October 2020, ahead of production in 2021, and a potential capacity for 25,000 units a year to be built after the car is established.
Ineos Automotive has confirmed that in parallel, it will be investing in a sub-assembly plant in Estarreja, Portugal. The facility will produce the Grenadier’s body and chassis, working in conjunction with Ineos’s European supply chain partners.
Dirk Heilmann, chief executive officer of Ineos Automotive, commented: “Confirming production in the UK, as well as our investment in Portugal, is a major milestone for the project. We are progressing well with the design and engineering work, as well as our marketing and distribution plans.
"In the months ahead, we look forward to sharing more information about the Grenadier, and engaging with local suppliers, the community and region, in advance of the start of production in 2021.”
By Simon Harris
The Welsh Government, and the Welsh Automotive Forum have been supportive of the plane and will be some solace for Bridgend with the loss of Jaguar Land Rover engine production at Ford's facility in 2019, and plans to close its engine plant completely in 2020.
Welsh Government economy and transport minister Ken Skates said: “Today’s announcement is great news for Wales and I’m delighted Ineos Automotive will be setting up home in Bridgend which has a long history of skilled manufacturing expertise. The Welsh Government has worked closely with the company to make this happen and I look forward to seeing the development of the new site progress ahead of the planned start of production in 2021.”
The vehicle will be designed as an authentic workhorse off-roader, with a ladder frame and separate chassis. It will have beam axles to maximise contact with surfaces off road, and improve traction, and have locking differentials.
It will be equipped with petrol and diesel engines, in-line six-cylinder units sourced from BMW, as well as the latest ZF automatic transmissions used by BMW in conjunction with the engines.
Ineos chief executive Dirk Heilmann said the company will be able to tune the engines for a greater torque bias, while optimising longevity. He added that the car will be compliant with global regulations for vehicles, and meet customer expectations for safety technology.
The organisation identified a gap in the market when the Land Rover Defender was discontinued in 2016, and while the new Defender is about to go on sale, Ineos believes there will be a role for a lower priced, more rugged workhorse for farmers and fleets.
The Grenadier is expected to be unveiled in October 2020, ahead of production in 2021, and a potential capacity for 25,000 units a year to be built after the car is established.
Ineos Automotive has confirmed that in parallel, it will be investing in a sub-assembly plant in Estarreja, Portugal. The facility will produce the Grenadier’s body and chassis, working in conjunction with Ineos’s European supply chain partners.
Dirk Heilmann, chief executive officer of Ineos Automotive, commented: “Confirming production in the UK, as well as our investment in Portugal, is a major milestone for the project. We are progressing well with the design and engineering work, as well as our marketing and distribution plans.
"In the months ahead, we look forward to sharing more information about the Grenadier, and engaging with local suppliers, the community and region, in advance of the start of production in 2021.”
By Simon Harris
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