Sick of waiting

[Jean Mercier]

Early ones were marked as Mexico but perhaps series production could be coming from their Belgian factory?

Why not, we have quite some car manufacturing factories and expertise here

 

[BMW.Leo]

So, yesterday I was at my dealer/importer Hedin in Lokeren, Belgium. This is the main Mercedes retailer in Belgium! The guy responsible for Ineos was very friendly and stopped some administrative work to show me the car, he took his time (I had no appointment).

I should have known better, I should have seen it on the picture they send by e-mail, but I concentrated on the text: “a production model”, but it is still a prototype! Came out of the production line though, but it is a production line prototype, with number PT02-032. So, I didn’t take pictures of details, wouldn’t have added value here on this forum.

What did I learn:

• The delays are indeed due to a software that wasn’t finalized yet.
• The production is going on; my car is still scheduled to be built in January (I don’t believe it; I think it will be February).
• On this prototype in the showroom there are small problems that were solved in the final models, for instance a rubber problem on the front doors that obliges you to slam the door quite hard to get it closed.
• Hedin Lokeren hopes to get it’s first showroom models before half February, and also the first customer cars. I will not be the first.
• It could be that some removable accessories will be delivered after delivering the car to the customer. They will not be mounted at the factory.
• The choice for Hedin as global importer and retailer in some smaller countries (Scandinavia, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland) is not related to some local laws but a decision of Ineos after negotiating with Hedin.
• The car will soon be “authorized” by the Belgian authorities.
• Hedin is also in touch with some Insurance Companies and tries to show them what kind of drivers are buying the car to get a lower insurance fee.
• I asked him if sales are going well in Belgium, and he said he was quite happy with the results, taking into account that he couldn’t offer test drives yet!
• And he was not so happy that the communication of Ineos doesn’t take into account the specific situation of customers of global importers/retailers like Hedin, for instance the “refund of the 2500€ deposits”!

For me, the choice of Hedin was from the beginning on a disillusion. They are not 4X4 specialists, although they sell G-Wagons. Although the Ineos guy there (a Hedin employee) is very friendly, he has no real 4X4 soul. And he could not answer some of my very simple technical questions. But again, he took his time, and was friendly.

Same feeling with our dealer, will be a challenge to find real 4x4 enthusiasts dealer

 

[jrchrds]

I'll just say that despite the longer wait, I'm really glad I'm in the US market. If I was having to make a purchase decision with money up front and as little practical knowledge as we have about the vehicle right now, I'm not sure I could go through with it. I'll give it to you European and Aussie folks- thanks for taking the risk for us. I feel like by the time they finally make it to the US, we'll have a much better grasp on how Ineos is going to handle things like parts and warranty, not to mention unforeseen vehicle issues.

 

[klarie]

I suppose that is the very definition of this thread - sick of waiting.
I am sure they have lots to learn about making and selling cars, it all depends on what you are willing to put up with.
One of the most popular cars in Oz is the Ford Ranger. One of the most anticipated new releases in a decade is the latest Ranger model releases in the last 6 months.
So good is this car apparently that VW also jumped into bed with Ford , and will use the same platform for their new Amarok. These cars will be cross shopped against the Grenadier - particularly when the dual cab version arrives.

However there is a growing scandal in Oz about the growing number of these cars that Ford are having to buy back from the customers due to the faults that they are experiencing, that cannot be fixed adequately.

Now in my book, I would have thought that there wasn’t much that Ford and VW wouldn’t know about making and selling cars …….. however perhaps I am wrong.

As such, I will give Ineos a bit more benefit of the doubt.

So Do I - 100% agree. - I 've got an operational car, does the job. So I can wait. So if there are topics like software updates and so on.. better they fix it now. And indeed I want a reliable vehicle not a green banana.. (maturing at customer). So a good hunters habit is patience..

 

[rovie]

I'll just say that despite the longer wait, I'm really glad I'm in the US market. If I was having to make a purchase decision with money up front and as little practical knowledge as we have about the vehicle right now, I'm not sure I could go through with it. I'll give it to you European and Aussie folks- thanks for taking the risk for us. I feel like by the time they finally make it to the US, we'll have a much better grasp on how Ineos is going to handle things like parts and warranty, not to mention unforeseen vehicle issues.

The risk is manageable for me. I have full confidence in Sir Jim. After all, it's him who counts, since it's from him that the financial injection will come. He will not have the nerve to let this fail. INEOS is a financially well placed British company. And that excites me.
There are partners involved who know their trade.
But you're right, if it was a European automotive company, I'd have my doubts too. Mercedes, BMW and the like are no longer the high quality companies they think they are. Such a project wouldn't stand a chance with them.

So, now I'm looking forward to my partner, hopefully at the end of January/beginning of February, and to the song 40 hours week by Alabama, which is currently playing on the radio. I hope the workers in Hambach listen to it too. Maybe you live in Nashville?

 

[jrchrds]

Maybe you live in Nashville?

2 hours south, Chattanooga. But I have lived in Nashville in the past.

 

[PBD]

Hi guys, I have followed the Grenadier journey from its inception, four years ish. Right from the off I was prepared to wait for the right car and be patient. I paid my £450 reservation at 0006 hrs on the first day available, Grenadier said I was one of the first world wide to do so. Communication from Ineos has not been great, having heard nothing since I signed my contract, confirmed my specifications and paid the balance of my £2500 deposit.
Having waited all this tim, a little longer is not a problem. If another Grenadier supporter gets theirs before me, so be it and I will be genuinely happy for them wherever they may live, I hope they will tell us here all about it with great big smiles on their faces, just like I will do when it’s my turn.
I am sure we will be getting them in the next few months, mine will be off road and muddy, day one.

 

[rovie]

2 hours south, Chattanooga. But I have lived in Nashville in the past.

Then it is the Chattanooga Choo Choo.

 

[Ever Pragmatic]

Hi guys, I have followed the Grenadier journey from its inception, four years ish. Right from the off I was prepared to wait for the right car and be patient. I paid my £450 reservation at 0006 hrs on the first day available, Grenadier said I was one of the first world wide to do so. Communication from Ineos has not been great, having heard nothing since I signed my contract, confirmed my specifications and paid the balance of my £2500 deposit.
Having waited all this tim, a little longer is not a problem. If another Grenadier supporter gets theirs before me, so be it and I will be genuinely happy for them wherever they may live, I hope they will tell us here all about it with great big smiles on their faces, just like I will do when it’s my turn.
I am sure we will be getting them in the next few months, mine will be off road and muddy, day one.

Are you using the dealer in Northampto?

 

[Deleted User Account.]

Look at their stock price. How much longer do you think they will survive?

They have enough cash on hand to get through 2025 and i assume they'll raise more. So long as they're getting support from Amazon with all the delivery vans they're making, I suspect they'll be just fine on their own or end up being absorbed by another one of the major manufacturers that waits too long to develop an ev line.

If i had to guess, they'd be in trouble if they can't get the Georgia plant built and cranking out the R2 by 2026 (or if the R2 proves to be a flop).

 

[DaveB]

Did they specify which October?

 

[DaveB]

I found this if it is helpful

Rivian Forum – Rivian R1T & R1S News, Pricing & Order...

Rivian Forum - Rivian R1T & R1S Community and Owner’s Club

www.rivianownersforum.com

 

[Krabby]

I'll just say that despite the longer wait, I'm really glad I'm in the US market. If I was having to make a purchase decision with money up front and as little practical knowledge as we have about the vehicle right now, I'm not sure I could go through with it. I'll give it to you European and Aussie folks- thanks for taking the risk for us. I feel like by the time they finally make it to the US, we'll have a much better grasp on how Ineos is going to handle things like parts and warranty, not to mention unforeseen vehicle issues.

I tend to agree as we will know a great deal about truck (pros, cons, etc), have a better grip on the aftermarket, and hopefully we will receive trucks that have benefited from the problems of the early ones. One of my worries, however, is will IA decide the customers in the US market can/will pay more. I understand there are differences in prices in Europe and Oz because of their currencies, but the numbers seem pretty close. It would suck if ours are not inline with the ROW (unless, of course, ours are cheaper ).

 

[DaveB]

I tend to agree as we will know a great deal about truck (pros, cons, etc), have a better grip on the aftermarket, and hopefully we will receive trucks that have benefited from the problems of the early ones. One of my worries, however, is will IA decide the customers in the US market can/will pay more. I understand there are differences in prices in Europe and Oz because of their currencies, but the numbers seem pretty close. It would suck if ours are not inline with the ROW (unless, of course, ours are cheaper ).

US customers have to pay a penalty because you inflicted the ROW with Donald Trump.

 

[Krabby]

US customers have to pay a penalty because you inflicted the ROW with Donald Trump.

No religion.
No politics.
No debating if a hot dog is a sandwich.

 

[DaveB]

No religion.
No politics.
No debating if a hot dog is a sandwich.

Oh come on
There is no way a hot dog could be a sandwich

 

[PBD]

Hi Ever Pragmatic (that’s a handle), I am dealing with J T Hughes’s at Telford. The have been very helpful from the start and the owner is a fan and has ordered two I think for himself! The are delivering it to my driveway too!

 

[Logsplitter]

Hi Ever Pragmatic (that’s a handle), I am dealing with J T Hughes’s at Telford. The have been very helpful from the start and the owner is a fan and has ordered two I think for himself! The are delivering it to my driveway too!

I’m phoning my dealer. I want mine delivered.

 

[Ever Pragmatic]

Hi Ever Pragmatic (that’s a handle), I am dealing with J T Hughes’s at Telford. The have been very helpful from the start and the owner is a fan and has ordered two I think for himself! The are delivering it to my driveway too!

I’m lined up for Adventure Automotive in Northampton. They are are part of the the Wollaston BMW group. Not very proactive to be honest but they think I’ll be their first customer handover. Apologies but I’d assumed you’re Leicester based. It appears to me that the whole customer interface between Ineos and us is hit and miss.

i’m keen as mustard to get my hands on the vehicle but Ineos are missing a big opportunity to surf positive customer sentiment.

 

[PBD]

I am mate but got involved with J T Hughes early doors, when there were only a few delivery partners available. Been pleased with them and like I said, they are delivering the grenny to my house, perfect!