Projekt Grenadier – the code name given to cashed-up British chemical company INEOS’ new 4x4 car venture – is moving into top gear with the company now seeking a production site for the vehicle.
Whilst the UK remains INEOS’s favoured location, the company has received a number of offers from European sites keen to build the car.
INEOS is planning to invest many hundreds of millions of pounds producing the world’s most uncompromising 4x4, and Dirk Heilmann, CEO of INEOS Automotive, says that the company is looking for a site capable of producing at least 25,000 cars a year to an extremely high standard.”
Tom Crotty, INEOS Director of Corporate Affairs, says, “We’ve already had high level discussions with the UK government as well as a lot of international interest. Whilst we would love this to be a British vehicle, this is a business venture and our hearts cannot be allowed to rule our heads”.
The project is the brainchild of INEOS Chairman, Jim Ratcliffe, who was a fan of the original Land Rover Defender. When it ceased production, he saw a gap in the market for an uncompromising off-roader that stands for adventure and active driving but also has the capability to be a work and utility machine.
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