The Grenadier is getting closer
Wednesday, 27 April 2022
As well as developing its Grenadier off-roader for production, Ineos Automotive has been busy setting up a global retail network that includes more than 160 sales and service agents worldwide, the latest of those being the local outlets for Australia and New Zealand.
As well as 28 retailers across Australia, Ineos has previously announced that the Armstrong Group’s dealerships in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin will represent the brand in New Zealand.
By the end of 2022 the company plans to have a network of 200 sales and service sites for the Grenadier spanning more 50 countries, including established dealer groups, 4X4 specialists and agricultural equipment dealers.
Ineos says it is working with retailers to set up their outlets and be ready to welcome customers in the next few months.
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“The selection of sales and distribution partners across Australia and New Zealand is an extremely important process,” said Justin Hocevar, Head of Asia-Pacific region, Ineos Automotive.
“We are committed to working with partners who hold the right credentials to represent the Ineos Automotive brand not just within metropolitan cities, but in the heartland of Ineos Automotive’s customer base.”
The company says it aims for the majority of customers in Australia and New Zealand to always be “within a reasonable distance” of an authorised sales and service location, with the dealerships forming the backbone of the service network in the country, and additional geographical coverage being provided by a selection of accredited service outlets.
The Ineos Grenadier came about when the billionaire founder of petrochemical giant Ineos, Jim Ratcliffe, became frustrated by the reduction of availability of utilitarian 4X4 workhorses after Land Rover replaced the old Defender with a far more modern and upmarket model.
The Grenadier has been in development for the last few years, covering more than 2.9 million kilometres during testing. It will initially feature a choice of BMW-sourced petrol or diesel 3.0-litre, six-cylinder engines, both EU6 compliant, while a hydrogen version is extremely likely, thanks to an existing partnership with Hyundai.
The company hasn’t ruled out an electric version entirely at this stage, but says hydrogen is the current focus for a zero-emission option.
The company had previously said that the local range would start with the base two-seater model costing $93,500, with a “modest uplift” for the five-seater version. A high-level of specification will be standard, and the diesel and petrol powertrains will cost the same.
The Grenadier will come with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and roadside assistance, while a five-year service plan will be available as an optional extra.
Following on from the launch of the SUV, the dual-cab ute version will also come to New Zealand, which Ineos has previously indicated will be priced below the SUV, but the company says that final local technical specifications and pricing for the Grenadier will be confirmed by the end of April, with order books opening in May, and the first customer deliveries expected before the end of the year.