Ineos

Ineos Automotive was founded in 2017 by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Chairman of INEOS and a noted enthusiast of the original Land Rover Defender. When Jaguar Land Rover announced it would cease production of the classic Defender, Ratcliffe identified a market need for a uncompromising, body-on-frame 4x4 built for durability and serviceability. The project, initially codenamed 'Projekt Grenadier' after the London pub where the idea was conceived, focused on engineering a vehicle from the ground up rather than retrofitting an existing platform. The company formed a strategic partnership with Magna Steyr for the engineering development of the vehicle and secured powertrain supplies from BMW. In 2020, Ineos made a major move by acquiring the Mercedes-Benz 'Smart' factory in Hambach, France, which provided an established, high-tech production line and a skilled workforce. This acquisition allowed the company to pivot from its original plan of building a new factory in Wales, significantly accelerating the path to production. Series production of the Grenadier commenced in October 2022, with the first customer deliveries starting in early 2023 across Europe, followed by North American and Asian markets. The brand has since expanded its lineup with the Quartermaster, a double-cab pickup variant, and has announced the 'Fusilier'—a smaller, electrified 4x4 developed in partnership with Magna Steyr to address the evolving regulatory landscape for internal combustion engines.