Australasia Dealership to hand back license to Ineos +

[Roach]

Most of these big Chinese companies are in bed with commercial vehicle manufacturers like Volvo, MAN VAG and Iveco from Europe. I would not be surprised that they would not be offering direct heavier light trucks to take on LC 70, Hino, Isuzu and Fuso 4x4 trucks in western markets in the near future. They are already pushing into the heavier vocational truck markets in Australia with Sinotruk and the industrial engine markets with DongFeng Cummins collaborations.

My comments that follow might be better in a separate thread but what happens to owners if Ineos pulls out of AUS (or decides to stop all together)?

 

[WJG-GMT II]

Some disappointing and frustrating news. Adelaide Hills Motor Group here in South Australia and the only dealer/agent in the state is closing down its showroom on the last day of April. This dealership (agency) was, looking at the comments in the forum, one of the best. Excellent rapport with customers and they fought very hard to get us information from Ineos in the early days. Their Ineos delivery book is very impressive!! The Mt Barker showroom will honour warranty until the end of the year but has zero skill base on Grenadiers and zero experience with the trials and tribulations of dealing with Ineos and is only a stop gap as it is owned by the same people handing the dealership back. If a proper dealership is not organized soon by Ineos I face a round trip of 1,600 kms to Melbourne plus accommodation costs just for a service.
I believe that this has been brought about by the appalling lack of communication by Ineos Australia to a fully committed and enthusiastic dealer who has spent a significant amount of money on a showroom, workshop, signage and assembling a great team of highly experienced people.
I have been one of the biggest fans of Grenadier here in South Australia, being one of the earliest orders, pushing the brand at every event and at people I meet at shows and on the outback tracks. Of course it's a huge effort to start up a car from scratch and the vehicle is fantastic! The marketing is so slick and promises so much, but the harsh reality of after sales service is one of indifference to both owners and dealers. We don't even have manuals to look after our own cars.
If Ineos truly want the brand to succeed, they cannot afford to lose excellent dealers like Adelaide Hills Group and the dedicated staff Greg had assembled to push the brand.
This is not the vision Jim Ratcliff promised us. Here, at the arse end of the world, 15,790 kms from European "closeness" of everything, I often rely on my vehicle to get me home from some of the most remote parts of the world. Thats the vehicle Jim promised, I took him at his word and backed him, as did many others and here we are, a major state in a first world country with no on going dealership or agency. If the Darwin agency goes next (owned by the same group) that's one third of Australia with no coverage. So much for the close100km service centres touted on the web site.
This isn't sour grapes, I love my Grenadier! Its the management that seems to be the problem.

I truly hope I am wrong and Ineos Australia has this under control. I feel terribly sorry for the great team that gave up very good jobs to join Grenadier and who are now redundant.

1600 miles is too far to be of any use. Imagine the tow bill if you needed it towed.

 

[Roach]

Looking at the new LC and Lexus GX and realized that what might be more important than having lockers is getting from point A to B without breaking down.

 

[Steve.B]

In Adelaide South Australia there is a new Ineos dealership opening soon on Port Road, but they have not given us South Australians the exact address yet.
So I don't think there is anything to worry about in regard to the future of Ineos.
This thread was started by Tony ( Top Cat ) when Adelaide hills motors lost, or left the contract.

 

[Roach]

In Adelaide South Australia there is a new Ineos dealership opening soon on Port Road, but they have not given us South Australians the exact address yet.
So I don't think there is anything to worry about in regard to the future of Ineos.
This thread was started by Tony ( Top Cat ) when Adelaide hills motors lost, or left the contract.

Good to hear. Local inventory in SoCal is 60+ units (Base, FM and TM's) with 2025 models around the corner. Dealers likely welcome the new financing rates (2.9%) but....if they can't move the old then discounts could be near term.

Do Dealers/Agents in AUS pay for the stock or is that on Ineos?

 

[Steve.B]

Good to hear. Local inventory in SoCal is 60+ units (Base, FM and TM's) with 2025 models around the corner. Dealers likely welcome the new financing rates (2.9%) but....if they can't move the old then discounts could be near term.

Do Dealers/Agents in AUS pay for the stock or is that on Ineos?

It is on Ineos, so yes Ineos owns the stock in Australia, from what I am hearing the dealers get $10,000 au for handling and delivery.

 

[Steve.B]

Just to refresh this thread, evidently the new South Australian dealership will be a stand alone Ineos dealership on Port Rd in Port Adelaide, and should be announced to South Australian Grenadier owners any day.
I would imagine there will be quite a few South Australian Grenadier owners waiting in Line to book a service or minor warrantee work or software updates on day 1 of the new Port Adelaide Ineos dealership opening, myself included.

 

[Cncpt2]

Good to hear. Local inventory in SoCal is 60+ units (Base, FM and TM's) with 2025 models around the corner. Dealers likely welcome the new financing rates (2.9%) but....if they can't move the old then discounts could be near term.

Do Dealers/Agents in AUS pay for the stock or is that on Ineos?

@Roach - as of November 2024 Irvine CA dealer's offering $8.5k discount @ 2.9 APR on a half a dozen units

 

[Top Cat]

Just to refresh this thread, evidently the new South Australian dealership will be a stand alone Ineos dealership on Port Rd in Port Adelaide, and should be announced to South Australian Grenadier owners any day.
I would imagine there will be quite a few South Australian Grenadier owners waiting in Line to book a service or minor warrantee work or software updates on day 1 of the new Port Adelaide Ineos dealership opening, myself included.

Thanks for that Steve
Yes, I hope it is soon as not having a dealership in the state is difficult. It is also hurting potential sales and company reputation. Recently I have put someone basically in a test drive in my car who stopped me at Bunnings and asked about the car as he could test drive a dealer car. It wasn't the first time The vehicle itself is great and I continue to support the brand so I hope the brand continues to support us in South Australia.
Photo attached of the Quartermasters used in the Flinders Ranges Launch on their way back home waiting for a lift in Gawler

 

[Steve.B]

The new dealership for South Australia has just opened on the corner of Port Rd and Sussex St in Alberton, ( opposite the Alberton Hotel ) they also import and convert new American vehicles from left hand drive to right hand drive, so they have some good engineering skills.
I went for a visit this afternoon, and I am very impressed, they are definitely enthusiasts of the Grenadier, and all things automotive, and could not have been more helpful.
Their workshop is impressive.

 

[Miltz]

I've also been in, met the team and they have put my car on the hoist to look at the warranty issues Adelaide Hills Motor Group in Bridgewater has done nothing about since APR. So far quite impressed, I think they'll be a good fit!! Believe they officially open on MON 2nd DEC.

 

[MattG]

I've also been in, met the team and they have put my car on the hoist to look at the warranty issues Adelaide Hills Motor Group in Bridgewater has done nothing about since APR. So far quite impressed, I think they'll be a good fit!! Believe they officially open on MON 2nd DEC.

That’s great news. Does anyone know their business name, physical address or contact details yet?
I was just in at Belair road auto chatting to Tim. He sympathizes with all of us here in Adelaide but can’t do anything via Bosch. I wasn’t aware that we had a new dealership/service centre here in Adelaide. Typical of Ineos to provide ZERO communication with owners, desperate for answers!!

 

[Steve.B]

That’s great news. Does anyone know their business name, physical address or contact details yet?
I was just in at Belair road auto chatting to Tim. He sympathizes with all of us here in Adelaide but can’t do anything via Bosch. I wasn’t aware that we had a new dealership/service centre here in Adelaide. Typical of Ineos to provide ZERO communication with owners, desperate for answers!!

Hi Matt,

The address is 126 - 138 Port Road, Alberton, South Australia 5014. The corner of Port Rd and Sussex St in Alberton, opposite the Alberton Hotel.
The name is American Motors, and their contact number is ( 08 ) 8122 5540 .
The Service Manager's name is Paul, and the sales manager's name is Josh.

 

[MattG]

Hi Matt,

The address is 126 - 138 Port Road, Alberton, South Australia 5014. The corner of Port Rd and Sussex St in Alberton, opposite the Alberton Hotel.
The name is American Motors, and their contact number is ( 08 ) 8122 5540 .
The Service Manager's name is Paul, and the sales manager's name is Josh.

Thanks Steve. I’m curious as to how you came across this information? I’ve heard nothing from Ineos since they emailed us all back in April (after the demise of the Glen Osmond Road dealership) to say that a new sales and service centre would be announced “within 3 months”. There’s nothing on the Ineos website as far as I can see. Typical Ineos “cloak and dagger” secrecy….

 

[trobex]

I am glad SLRV exist on the Gold Coast. I am booked for the full works first up next year. I have a small list of issues being resolved over a 2-3 day drop off.

 

[Steve.B]

Thanks Steve. I’m curious as to how you came across this information? I’ve heard nothing from Ineos since they emailed us all back in April (after the demise of the Glen Osmond Road dealership) to say that a new sales and service centre would be announced “within 3 months”. There’s nothing on the Ineos website as far as I can see. Typical Ineos “cloak and dagger” secrecy….

Hi Matt,

A mate was driving down Port Rd and saw a group of new Grenadiers and Quartermasters out the front and called me up to let me know, so I went there to investigate
They are a great bunch of enthusiastic blokes, "they love the grenadier" you should go down and introduce yourself.

Steve.

 

[MattG]

Finally!! Just received an email from Ineos announcing that AM Group 4x4 will be our new sales and service centre here in SA!! By pure coincidence, following on from the comments above, I happened to email Nick at AM Group 4x4 on Thursday night to ask if they were indeed going to be our new dealership and when this might be made public. Nick then rang me Friday morning to introduce himself and have a chat. He then organised for Paul, (head of the service department) to give me a call, the result of which is that my car is now booked in for a software update and for them to have a look at a few warranty issues on Friday next week! They both sounded very keen to provide some long-overdue customer service to those of us here in SA who have found the “interim” Ineos service centre at Bridgewater somewhat below par. I also believe that they have been in discussions with Josh, who used to head up the Glen Osmond Road service department until it closed in February this year. Josh knows the Grenadier and would be great to have on the new team. Finally some certainty!!

 

[Andrew Kilby]

It is really great news that we have some support in SA. Now all we need is some manuals so when we need support in Alice Springs that can happen. Not to mention all the other places more than 100klm from our coastline. But at least we have the same number of dealers we had 12 months ago.

 

[DenisM]

It is really great news that we have some support in SA. Now all we need is some manuals so when we need support in Alice Springs that can happen. Not to mention all the other places more than 100klm from our coastline. But at least we have the same number of dealers we had 12 months ago.

The oft repeated "promises" of a workshop manual by '4th Quarter' this year, have gone very quiet.... Unless it's being delivered 24th Dec. by a bearded bloke in a red coat

 

[MattG]

FOR ALL SOUTH AUSTRALIAN OWNERS:
I’ve just met Josh and Paul and had a walk around our new dealership and service centre on Port Road, Alberton. These guys are very friendly, keen and willing to work with us to provide a level of customer and vehicle service that we have been lacking since February. I would strongly encourage ALL South Australian owners to get in touch with AM Group 4x4 for their ongoing servicing and maintenance needs and for attention to any warranty issues. I’ve just had a software update and reset of the annoying SRI (since I had my vehicle serviced at a local Bosch service centre). Very impressed indeed.