2022 Ineos Grenadier production to commence in July

Ineos will be manufacturing its new Grenadier this July, with the company currently trialling the production of 100 prototypes to streamline the process.

The production will be at Daimler's former Smart plant in Hambach, France. The site employs around 1000 workers and is the first carbon neutral car factory. The decision, however, is a departure from the original plan to build the car in the UK.

Ineos states the first phase underway is a "production try-out" to approve the build processes before full production can commence. Ineos recently spent almost $800 million on the factory for key upgrades. These included a fully-automated body shop, assembly site and semiautomated paint shop.

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​The Grenadier has solid axles with panhard rods front and back, as well as progressive coil springs on a body-on-frame platform – meaning it is first built as a rolling chassis before adding the body and drivetrain.

Underneath the bonnet is the choice of either a BMW straight six diesel or petrol turbocharged engine, with four-wheel drive and transfer box for low-range.

All of the latest information suggests the Ineos Grenadier should start to hit roads soon as a production vehicle. Since opening preorders, the brand has received approximately 15,000 reservations.

The price starts at $84,500 plus on-road costs in Australia. But the first batch of vehicles previously expected in August will likely be delayed.