Europe Communication is ZERO! Does anyone know what is going on? (INEOS Automotive)

[Eric]

OK, next time I visit my dealer ... next week, and the week after, and another week later, and next month and so on

If they gave you the bloody car, it would be a lot easier all round

 

[Squirrel]

My grenadier is already at the dealer on Lake Constance and we have already admired it.
It is one of 10 vehicles at his yard. But you can't take it with you, because Ineos is not able to write an invoice and deliver the registration papers.
Seem to have procedural and staffing problems. But the car is awesome and it's worth the wait. Have patience!
I'll let you know when we can pick it up.

 

[Deleted User Account.]

Could one of you just go and steal your own vehicle already and give us a review?

 

[tartan shepherd]

Had a dream last night about the next communication email.

“Dear Valued Grenadier Customers

We promised to communicate more frequently with you and finally, albeit 3 week later here is our latest update on the Grenadier story.

I took over my CEO role at the beginning of the year, and quickly could see what a bag of nails I’d picked up.
An IT system that didn’t speak cross platform, supply issues, talent shortage, etc, etc.
I banged a few heads together and showed others the door, told em to fix it and popped on leave for a week or two.

Returned to well, what can only be described as giant shitfest. Errant electrics, (auto wipers weren’t in the spec), vehicles have gone sleep and won’t wake up (bloody millennials) and icing on the cake my commercial team tells me we haven’t passed EU conformity tests and all the vehicles need returning to the factory.

So sorry for the slight delay getting you behind the wheel of you vehicles, really apologetic to those who have paid in full (but we have your money on deposit earning 4%).

Promise I’ll get another update to you soon, definitely by Christmas.

Bye for now. “

 

[bemax]

Had a dream last night about the next communication email.

“Dear Valued Grenadier Customers

We promised to communicate more frequently with you and finally, albeit 3 week later here is our latest update on the Grenadier story.

I took over my CEO role at the beginning of the year, and quickly could see what a bag of nails I’d picked up.
An IT system that didn’t speak cross platform, supply issues, talent shortage, etc, etc.
I banged a few heads together and showed others the door, told em to fix it and popped on leave for a week or two.

Returned to well, what can only be described as giant shitfest. Errant electrics, (auto wipers weren’t in the spec), vehicles have gone sleep and won’t wake up (bloody millennials) and icing on the cake my commercial team tells me we haven’t passed EU conformity tests and all the vehicles need returning to the factory.

So sorry for the slight delay getting you behind the wheel of you vehicles, really apologetic to those who have paid in full (but we have your money on deposit earning 4%).

Promise I’ll get another update to you soon, definitely by Christmas.

Bye for now. “

I received the same E-Mail tonight.

 

[marko]

On a similar theme I had a dream last week (honest I did) about my Grenadier. Picked it up from the agents and drove to show it off to some mates really proud and happy like. Well when I lifted the bonnet to show them the engine it was an oily mess with oil leaking everywhere and some shop rags in there where the tech had tried to clean it up at PDI. Then my mates managed to find a bunch of misaligned panels with uneven gaps and hoses and wiring not secured under the vehicle dangling down and ripe to be snagged. Then I was told what an idiot I’d been to accept it from the agent without checking it over properly.
So my dream became a nightmare and I suddenly woke up with a real scare and heart racing a bit. Relieved when I remembered mine was still in production and nobody had taken delivery, phew!
Lesson for me is that I’ll be going over mine closely as I can’t risk the dream turning into reality
Incidentally never told my wife I’m actually dreaming about the Grenadier as she already thinks I spend far to much of my waking hours on the subject

 

[Eric]

On a similar theme I had a dream last week (honest I did) about my Grenadier. Picked it up from the agents and drove to show it off to some mates really proud and happy like. Well when I lifted the bonnet to show them the engine it was an oily mess with oil leaking everywhere and some shop rags in there where the tech had tried to clean it up at PDI. Then my mates managed to find a bunch of misaligned panels with uneven gaps and hoses and wiring not secured under the vehicle dangling down and ripe to be snagged. Then I was told what an idiot I’d been to accept it from the agent without checking it over properly.
So my dream became a nightmare and I suddenly woke up with a real scare and heart racing a bit. Relieved when I remembered mine was still in production and nobody had taken delivery, phew!
Lesson for me is that I’ll be going over mine closely as I can’t risk the dream turning into reality
Incidentally never told my wife I’m actually dreaming about the Grenadier as she already thinks I spend far to much of my waking hours on the subject

Hmmm sensible woman your wife. Put the Grenadier in her name.. that'll give you nightmares and cure your dreaming!

 

[Highwayman]

On a similar theme I had a dream last week (honest I did) about my Grenadier. Picked it up from the agents and drove to show it off to some mates really proud and happy like. Well when I lifted the bonnet to show them the engine it was an oily mess with oil leaking everywhere and some shop rags in there where the tech had tried to clean it up at PDI. Then my mates managed to find a bunch of misaligned panels with uneven gaps and hoses and wiring not secured under the vehicle dangling down and ripe to be snagged. Then I was told what an idiot I’d been to accept it from the agent without checking it over properly.
So my dream became a nightmare and I suddenly woke up with a real scare and heart racing a bit. Relieved when I remembered mine was still in production and nobody had taken delivery, phew!

Apart from the oil leak, your dream was my reality with a new 2013 Defender!

 

[DCPU]

If you want some good news, Priscilla, is working hard to get ahead of the issues we will have when we eventually get them, and making sure the posts filled appropriately:

 

[painter]

Could one of you just go and steal your own vehicle already and give us a review?

Steal it maybe, drive it maybe not. There's the rub, eh !

Think of these cars at the dealer more as a tile, or tree in a park (or dare I say bench) that you buy. It's there for you to visit, stay beside, think about those days past, what might have been etc.

When you're done your visit you leave. Don't worry, it will be there when you come back. Like an expensive shinny thing in a bank safety deposit box, tucked away 'til next time.

Eventually they'll have these Tranquillity Car Parks everywhere. Open to regular folks who will stroll around looking at the pretty things...

"Oh, that ones nice", "Yes, over there, a 2029, a good year", "Hello, is this one yours ? It's one of my favourites, thank you for donating it."

This will all take time of course. Eventually the National Trust or similar in your country may take them over. They become Heritage Sites, preserved for the enjoyment of the public. With thanks to all who made it possible. Nice.

 

[Tazzieman]

Hmmm sensible woman your wife. Put the Grenadier in her name.. that'll give you nightmares and cure your dreaming!

 

[MrMike]

I'll have to look at my invoice when I get home, the may have done that here too, but it seems odd to be taxed. The deposit is refundable, so if you ask for a refund, do you get the tax back?

All invoices for deposits in AU get taxed (not sure about UK) because it's a tax invoice, all sales unless stated attract 10% sales tax like motor vehicles etc. The seller, if it is in the agreement, refunds all of the money and can claim any tax received back from the government.

 

[bemax]

Apart from the oil leak, your dream was my reality with a new 2013 Defender!

There hasn’t been a oil leak at your Defender? Strange things happen!

 

[Bushguide]

So far Ive seen almost every excuse possible for the situation with the Grenadier except "The Dog Ate my Homework" They drove a million miles to test out the vehicle and now after almost five months of production, not one person has possession of their vehicle. They sit in the car yard of distributers, with the customers, money in hand, looking from outside the fence. There are little glimpses of final production vehicles on loan doing tours of Scotland or being fitted at an aftermarket accessory joint, but nothing with a vehicle in the customers/owners hands. Ineos have vehicles which are registered here in OZ, allowing sporting people to drive "Off Road" but never on the grey matter. Those same vehicles can be driven from town to town by Ineos employees, but not the people who matter. Even vehicles that are coming off the production line today or yesterday fail to get handed over to their respective new owners. There is some legal embargo going on here I suspect and its got zero to do with software upgrades.

 

[Tazzieman]

There is some legal embargo going on here I suspect and its got zero to do with software upgrades.

Unless it is EU emissions related , and they want to avoid another dieselgate scenario. And thus have to tweak the engine computer.

 

[Ever Pragmatic]

So far Ive seen almost every excuse possible for the situation with the Grenadier except "The Dog Ate my Homework" They drove a million miles to test out the vehicle and now after almost five months of production, not one person has possession of their vehicle. They sit in the car yard of distributers, with the customers, money in hand, looking from outside the fence. There are little glimpses of final production vehicles on loan doing tours of Scotland or being fitted at an aftermarket accessory joint, but nothing with a vehicle in the customers/owners hands. Ineos have vehicles which are registered here in OZ, allowing sporting people to drive "Off Road" but never on the grey matter. Those same vehicles can be driven from town to town by Ineos employees, but not the people who matter. Even vehicles that are coming off the production line today or yesterday fail to get handed over to their respective new owners. There is some legal embargo going on here I suspect and its got zero to do with software upgrades.

I took this a few weeks ago at my local dealer. Not exactly grenadiers in their natural habitat, looks a bit sad that they’re behind bars and not in my barn being fettled. Perhaps this is a new way of buying a car without causing emissions. You buy the right to say that it’s yours, but never you get to actually own or drive it.. Not sure it is going to catch on..

The waiting continues.. In time for Christmas perhaps ….?

 

[John Dean]

Is anyone in the same position as me?

1. In December I was told my vehicle would be manufactured on 13th January (just like many others) and delivered 1st February.
2. Then of course I heard nothing since.
3. So I called my supplying dealer - who knew nothing, except February looks good. But I had to call them.
4. On the 24th January, I messaged Ineos who say that their computer still says end of January/early February looks good for delivery and it should be in production now.
5. I then check the INEOS website which doesn't show in PRODUCTION.
6. Why oh why, can they not all sing from the same hymn sheet? Maybe take away the website - "in production" tab.

I will be honest, this is the worst buying experience of anything I have ever purchased. If I hadn't signed the contract I would have walked away, regardless of how good or bad the vehicle MAY be.

Sad to say but it’s comforting to hear I am not the only one in this position. I expected teething problems. But it’s seems they have either lost control of production or deliberately treating us like mushrooms. Not sure how many people are in the same position in the UK. I feel like turning up at the factory door and ask them what is going on! I thought it was refreshing what Jim Ratcliffe did, and I thought it was a great idea, and I’m very supportive, but I just don’t like being treated like a mushroom.

Is anyone in the same position as me?

1. In December I was told my vehicle would be manufactured on 13th January (just like many others) and delivered 1st February.
2. Then of course I heard nothing since.
3. So I called my supplying dealer - who knew nothing, except February looks good. But I had to call them.
4. On the 24th January, I messaged Ineos who say that their computer still says end of January/early February looks good for delivery and it should be in production now.
5. I then check the INEOS website which doesn't show in PRODUCTION.
6. Why oh why, can they not all sing from the same hymn sheet? Maybe take away the website - "in production" tab.

I will be honest, this is the worst buying experience of anything I have ever purchased. If I hadn't signed the contract I would have walked away, regardless of how good or bad the vehicle MAY be.

It's unfortunate, but it's reassuring to know I'm not alone in this situation. I anticipated teething issues. However, it appears that they have either lost control of production or are intentionally treating us as mushrooms. I'm not aware how many people in the UK are in the same situation. I want to knock on the factory door and inquire what's going on! What Jim Ratcliffe did was refreshing, and I thought it was a wonderful idea, and I'm very supportive, but I don't like being treated like a mushroom.
Thank you very much

 

[Krabby]

They taxed your deposit?!

I finally went back and looked at my invoice and I was taxed too. Oddly, at 20%, which doesn’t exist here in that percentage. NJs tax rate is 7% so I’m not sure why it calculated that.

 

[opsy]

So, my vehicle was delivered to the dealer on the 2 February. The dealer was asked to ring me and tell me it was the first in the uk. It is still sat with the dealer. The dealer is as frustrated with Ineos lack of comms as I am. Initially they (Ineos) pretended that they were waiting on an international marketing day in mid feb. Since then they have conceded that they have various faults which are basically preventing them from getting the vehicles road registered. Each vehicles ‘campaigns’ (faults list?) vary and now that production is in full swing they have decided to disregard the waiting list and start sorting the faults on individual vehicles based on whichever vehicles have the least faults. This is of course unless you are an editor of a national newspaper whereby they will prioritise your vehicle and jump the queue (I wish I was joking)..
I have read that others are wondering where their vehicles are - it could be that they are already with your dealers. Mine has two other vehicles and three more arriving next week. It’s just that they have learnt not to tell their clients the good (?) news because no-one knows what faults they will have to fix/and how they fix them. It’s a complete mess and throughout Ineos have not once held their hands up or proactively contacted me even to apologise for the delay.
I have even been to the dealer and seen my vehicle but who knows when/if it will ever be mine. I sent an official complaint to Ineos and they haven’t even bothered to reply.

Your vehicle must have been on the same transporter as mine, also 2nd Feb, and still waiting for delivery.
I believe the others vehicle were for VIP customers.

 

[Eric]

I finally went back and looked at my invoice and I was taxed too. Oddly, at 20%, which doesn’t exist here in that percentage. NJs tax rate is 7% so I’m not sure why it calculated that.

Is that because you are buying direct from Ineos and their point of sale was in a 20% tax location?