Ineos signals worrying strategies

bigleonski said:

Don’t worry about a “luxury” model costing big bucks.
There’s a fieldmaster with trialmaster options added at my dealer for sale for almost $160k AUD. That’s as much as a top of the line with fruit “real” Landcruiser 300 series GR, and about $50k more than I paid for a similar spec.
That’s getting into luxury dollarydoos.

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CRH said:

If they aim higher up the money tree then we can expect the already expensive parts and services to go in the same direction.
They want them to be seen outside all the private schools with all the offloading kit, spotlessly cleaned (by the butler), sitting on big rims and low profile tyres. All the other mummy's will then look with envy at their common RangeRover, pimped out Defender/GW or Bentley and go back to their estate and ring hubby demanding why they haven't got one of those unique and difficult to obtain Grenadier's and why he doesn't earn enough as little Tarquins daddy.

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Earthwatcher said:

I've always viewed the Grenadier as a niche vehicle. For me it's a rufty tufty toy that I drive around home. It's just not comfortable enough, frugal enough or practical enough to take on long motorway journeys with a bit of offroading at the end. I use the far more comfortable new Defender for that. So I treat the Gren as a bit of rural eye-candy that I know can do the business, but it's far too precious to subject it to anything too strenuous. If I wanted to go green laning (I don't) I'd buy an old Discovery with all the necessaries. Over time I expect I'll build on what's there, but just now I enjoy its pretty looks, its quirks, and slamming those oh-so-solid doors. I imagine it looking a bit more beat up 20 years down the line but in the meantime I would welcome limited sales and output. I'd rather not see too many on the road.

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trobex said:

Comfort is my biggest gripe... it's not as enjoyable after 200kms in a single run as any other car I've owned. Aside from that it is damn near awesome...

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Roach said:

I am of the belief that the tow weight (not tongue) shouldn’t exceed 75% capacity. I’m sure the grenny would do fine but I wouldn’t do it on a regular basis.

We have a ski boat at around 5k lbs and we won’t use the grenadier either as it feels stressed at 70mph and passing feels like you have to think about it a mile or two in advance. The f250, 16 to 17 mpg, no problem at freeway speeds, AC works when the temp is over 100 outside and tons of room.

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Stu_Barnes said:

I thought you left your reservations on the lot. Did you eventually buy one?

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Roach said:

Hey Stu! Yes, I had three reserved and turned them down when they arrived. We had a truck for awhile and decided it wasn’t fully baked yet (our assessment). Kids were a big factor as they were the first to have doubts and I didn’t want to stick them with a car/truck that had issues. Placed order for a new one to get the next turn of the crank and hopefully an improved version but before it arrived, Canceled again. Another order for the 2025 to hopefully see some fixes and stability in both the product and the company. Kids are still out as they need greater reliability and creature comforts for babies, and whatever.

Still watching your forum to see what to do next

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Roach said:

Hey Stu! Yes, I had three reserved and turned them down when they arrived. We had a truck for awhile and decided it wasn’t fully baked yet (our assessment). Kids were a big factor as they were the first to have doubts and I didn’t want to stick them with a car/truck that had issues. Placed order for a new one to get the next turn of the crank and hopefully an improved version but before it arrived, Canceled again. Another order for the 2025 to hopefully see some fixes and stability in both the product and the company. Kids are still out as they need greater reliability and creature comforts for babies, and whatever.

Still watching your forum to see what to do next

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Jeremy996 said:

That is a very USA-centric opinion; an F350 will not fit down most of the roads around me!
In the UK and much of Europe, the Grenadier is a big vehicle; in the USA I guess it is more of a nursery toy.

Towing speeds are mandated at lower levels too,
"It is also important to stick to the required speed limits – they are different for cars towing a caravan/trailer:

• 60mph - motorways and dual carriageways.
• 50mph - single carriageways.
• 30mph - built-up areas." West Yorkshire Police

The French suggest a maximum of 100kph on ordinary roads and 110kph on autoroutes.

If Ineos Automotive can get a lot of luxury Grenadiers on the road, they will max out the profit margin they can get on the few they can sell in the UK and Europe, but if they need volume through the factory, they'll need to sell a "tradesman" version.

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Stu_Barnes said:

Ah. I get it, everyone has their threshold. Did you get a picture of your Grenadoer towing the boat? There are precious few of those right now.

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Trialmaster said:

THREE cancelled - FFS! No wonder they are littering lots. Then you have the audacity to preach about its possible future. Give me strength.

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Roach said:

Cancelled first three back in 24 and certainly a contributor to the numbers on the lot. The second ordered cancelled before it was built. If the reviews continue like they have been then I’ll cancel the third before build/delivery.

We were all excited to have three at family gatherings and getaways. Kids opinion was just too much missing for the price. We looked at G wagons but last year the had ADM’s…likely different now. For me specs (on road) didn’t make sense for a DD but if/when I take delivery it will be for specific trips

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Roach said:

Likely will move on but it’s in the list of toys to look at.

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parb said:

I've viewed the arcane works with worry.
The Ineos cloning JLR's strategies suggests that the bean counter with their lack of imagination and focus on short term profits is running the ship. I guess it's a reflection of the broader economy where pessimistic views about the spending capabilities of the public gives way for the focus on the upper class and them being insulated from the economy.

I don't like it, and the resulting focus on the moneyed class.

Yet I appreciate the point that politicians have created so many rules that you either are a mega manufacturing house or a niche house. Grenadier gets more runway without the fusilier to stay in the niche category.

But I dislike that to make it a viable business as a niche house is to create rolls Royce's and Bentley's - further making the demarcation between the haves and have nots extremely visible. I guess it was just business for ratcliff at the end of the day. The idea that it was a self sustaining passion project seems incorrect, its about maximizing profits.

Anyway, I'm ranting.
This is the article that got me wound up. It's about the broader shift in ineos strategy.

Ineos rethinks range expansion to focus on Grenadier | Autocar

4x4 brand ditches new models as it intentionally limits volumes and develops high-value Grenadier spin-offs

www.autocar.co.uk

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bikesandguitars said:

Have you ever heard of the “Toyota Sienna”? We’ve had a couple of those in the stable. They’re fantastic. It sounds like that’s what you’re looking for.

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Ever Pragmatic said:

As a Brit, the Grenadier is classless and classy at the same time. You can use it on a landfill site in the morning, take the wife shopping in the afternoon and park at the Dorchester in the evening.. There’s not many vehicles you can do that in and still be “cool”.. It’s an old money vehicle..

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