Who is INEOS?

Arriving at the 2024 Texas Auto Writers Association’s Texas Truck Rodeo event last week, we had little knowledge about INEOS. There were some 30 vehicles ready for us to test at Eagles Canyon Raceway.  But the INEOS Grenadier Trialmaster and Grenadier Quartermaster quickly caught our eye.

So we had to know the back story about INEOS.

When British native Jim Ratcliffe learned that Land Rover was ceasing production on its Defender, he saw a gap in the market.  Building “a real and pure alternative to the current crop of standardized ‘jelly-mold’ SUVs” became the guiding principle. His brainchild aimed at “explorers, farmers and off-road enthusiasts across the globe,” offers “no-frills utilitarianism, complete purity of purpose, unquestionable authenticity and ultimate engineering integrity.”

To accomplish such a feat, Ratcliffe put Dirk Heilmann, head of Engineering and Technology at INEOS, in charge of running the project.  In 2017, Heilman, now CEO of INEOS Automotive, started recruiting a team of automotive experts to help build the 4X4 Grenadier from the ground up.  

INEOS proceeded to partner with some of the biggest names in the automotive industry.  

A significant milestone came with the announcement of a powertrain technology partnership with BMW Group in 2019. And in 2020, INEOS secured a world-class production facility in Hambach, Germany, where it developed the first prototype of the Grenadier 4×4 and began “testing in plain sight.” A first appearance at a Tour de France launch event in Nice was followed by high profile appearances at events championing charities and sports events across Europe. And by September 2021, INEOS was ready to open up pre-sale reservations.

 In April 2023, the first INEOS Grenadier customers in Europe were handed over their keys. But in the meantime, INEOS was busy planning other introductions.  An INEOS hydrogen fuel cell demonstrator was developed, and the Grenadier Quartermaster double cab pick-up would soon make its world debut. Just a few months ago, INIOS launched “Arcane Works” for custom-made 4x4s.

INEOS Automotive announced its first retail partners across the United States in October 2023. 

U.S. dealers began to finalize more than 7,000 initial Grenadier orders already placed by U.S. customers.  In Texas, those dealers include Sewell INEOS Grenadier in Plano and Houston’s Mossy INEOS Grenadier.

To use the term “effortless” in describing how both INEOS vehicles climbed the hills and crawled over the rocks, is an understatement. 

Considering that the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Final Edition (it’s closest comparison there) is over $100K, we were actually surprised that the monroney showed the total vehicle price of the LWB Station Wagon Trailmaster at $83,855. And the XLWB Pickup Fieldmaster was $72,409.  The only negative thing to say about INEOS are the 14 & 15 MPG ratings—But that’s the same as the Rubicon with the V8.

But stay tuned—Early in 2024, INEOS rolled out the new Fusilier with two powertrain options: a zero-emission all-electric and a low-emission range-extended electric.  And of course, Jeep already has its Wrangler 4xe—the best-selling hybrid in the U.S. EPA, estimated at 49 MPGe.

So, we’ll be looking to test the electric INEOS next year at the 2025 Texas Truck Rodeo!

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