Dealer inventory is high everywhere. The economy is not great. Interest rates are high. Cars are expensive. Credit is maxed out. The warning signs are everywhere.Let me preface this by saying I want Ineos and the Grenadier to be successful! But I keep having the nagging feeling we might be looking at a Lotus Elise type trajectory.
Wonderful idea, enthusiasts loved it, US wanted it, then...
US Sales (Elise/Exige)
2005 - 3,321
2006 - 1,417
2007 - 735
2008 - 425
2009 - 146
2010 - 95
2011 (final edition) - 186
I know I'm comparing apples and Brussel sprouts, but is anyone else concerned that once the niche market is supplied it's going to be rough going for Sir Jim? I know Arcane and Fusilier and hydrogen and they haven't advertised and ?. I'm just being realistic and wondering how big the market really is? The DFW and Houston dealers are each sitting on ~$2M worth of passed over trucks currently available.
Just wondering aloud.
Check the CarEdge link provided. Toyota, as usual, was right about resisting the move to EV’s. No one wants them. Meanwhile, Toyota is crushing the competition with gas/hybrid. OTOH, Stellantis is getting killed with their 4xe plug-in hybrid and ridiculous pricing.
I think Ineos is in it for the long haul. The Grenadier is their niche, highly specialized vehicle. It’s their statement. Just like Tesla getting attention and lots of free press with their take on the classic British roadster and then moving on to more mainstream offerings, the Grenadier is not meant to be Ineos mass market best seller. It’s a statement on the quality and performance of what they can build and what’s next. It’s not an SUV or a family truckster. It’s a serious off-roader. The target market is the well heeled, overlander, outdooorsy, serious weekend warrior type.
Keep in mind that if Ineos was a public company, it would be worth $40 -$60 billion. Jim Ratcliffe can loan freely to Ineos Automotive. It’s not like they have to wait for a second round of funding. The world’s a little different when your credit score is unimpeachable.
The Grenadier is a future classic. Patience is a virtue.
New Car Inventory in 2024: Winners and Losers in October
Looking for the latest information on new car inventory for October 2024? Here are the latest trends in supply and demand.
caredge.com
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