Ineos Automotive has unveiled a third model in their series after the Grenadier station wagon and Quartermaster pick-up, the smaller Fusilier. It will go on sale in 2027 with a choice of all-electric powertrain said to be good for nearly 250 miles on a full charge and as a range extending model with a near 170 miles range on electric power alone. It has also developed a fuel-cell powertrain ready … [Read more...]
Newslines 19 May
It now costs a few pennies short of £100 to fill a typical diesel car after the latest price hikes by fuel stations, says the RAC. The motoring body said petrol models were just behind at £92.20p for a 55 litres fill and they have never been so high. Ford of Europe together with 27 companies have joined an appeal to the European Union (EU) to ensure all new cars and vans in Europe are zero … [Read more...]
Tradelines 20 October
There was no substantial jump in the number of fleet MOT tests undertaken during September, despite warnings that deferrals made during the pandemic could lead to massive demand, new figures from epyx show. Using an analysis of information held on its 1link Service Network platform, the company says that there were almost 52,000 MOT tests carried out during the month. This is close to the just … [Read more...]
Tradelines 20 January
Ineos Cars' boss Tom Crotty has denied it was forced to change its mind over building an assembly plant in Bridgend because of Brexit costs, despite being in favour of the split from the EU. He has said there was a ready made assembly plant offered by Mercedes as the German company had revised its plans for using its assembly plant on the French/ German border. The Massive growth in driver-owned … [Read more...]
Ford Bridgend plant closure and its Welsh legacy
Ford Bridgend Engine Plant closes down today after 40 years but its legacy is being set out for the future. Ford has been part of Bridgend and a major contributor to the Welsh economy and automotive industry for over 40 years so the full impact of the company’s decision to leave the town will be felt throughout the local economy and community for a long time to come, said Ken Skates MS, Minister … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 August
Tough labour laws in France mean that Ineos stands to pick up an idling Daimler plant in Hamach in a distressed sale for €500 Million to build its forthcoming Grenadier 4x4 after suspending plans for a new factory outside Bridgend. If the sale falls through, Ineos may return to South Wales but there is another option on a struggling Nissan site in Spain as well. The Proton brand could resurface … [Read more...]
BREAKING NEWS: INEOS U-turn on Welsh car plant
Ineos has suspended plans to build its new 4x4 Grenadier in Wales. The company is now talking to Daimler about taking over a car plant it's vacating in France. In a blow to Welsh automotive manufacturing which promised up to 500 jobs at Brocastle, Bridgend, it said today, “INEOS Automotive can confirm that it is reviewing its manufacturing strategy for the new Grenadier in light of the … [Read more...]
Wales’ Ineos Grenadier 4×4 unwrapped
This is the new Ineos Grenadier. INEOS Automotive today reveals the exterior design of the Grenadier, its forthcoming, no-nonsense 4x4 vehicle for the world, as another step on the road towards start of production. Heavily influenced by the previous Land Rover Defender loved by Ineos boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe, it will be built in a new factory at Brocastle Industrial Estate, Bridgend as … [Read more...]
£500M “good” for Aston Martin & St Athan, Welsh Minister
Aston Martin’s St Athan project is rolling ahead and another 300 people are being interviewed for jobs as a further £500M investment is raised for the company today, writes Robin Roberts. A business consortium led by motor sport billionaire and Racing Point F1 team’s Canadian owner Lawrence Stroll has bought 45.6m new ordinary shares to make him executive chairman. This will bring in £182M and a … [Read more...]
£100,000 public money to ease impact of Ford withdrawal
A £100,000 investment fund will be set up to help Bridgend and surrounding area recover from the closure of Ford Engine Plant in the autumn. The money will come equally from Welsh Government and the Cardiff Capital Region funds to enable Bridgend County Borough Council study three projects. News of the investment and feasibility studies will be outlined later this morning when Economy Minister … [Read more...]