INEOS Automotive considers Mercedes-Benz Hambach plant as the home of the Grenadier
INEOS Automotive announces that it has entered detailed discussions with Mercedes-Benz on the acquisition of its Hambach site
- INEOS has suspended work on new build plans in Wales and Portugal pending the outcome of these discussions
- The COVID-19 crisis has led to significant overcapacity in the European auto industry
- Dirk Heilmann, CEO of INEOS Automotive said, “As a result of COVID-19, new options have become available as an alternative to adding two new facilities to the existing automotive manufacturing capacity”
INEOS Automotive is pleased to announce that it has entered into discussions with Mercedes-Benz over the acquisition of their Hambach site. The site, which is the home of the smart EQ fortwo models, has been recently developed with a new dedicated SUV line, similar in size to the Grenadier, which makes it ideally suited to the production of the INEOS Grenadier.
INEOS is assessing the option to utilise existing capacity within the industry, as an alternative to building its own plants. “Overcapacity has long been a major issue for the automotive sector,” said Dirk Heilmann, CEO of INEOS Automotive. “Of course we considered this route previously, but as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic some new options such as this one with the plant in Hambach have opened up that were simply not available to us previously. We are therefore having another look – and reviewing whether the addition of two new manufacturing facilities is the right thing to do in the current environment.”
“COVID has had an impact on our build schedules,” added Heilmann, “with ground clearing works and construction held up by the social distancing measures that have been required. Safety is of course paramount, but we also have an obligation to do what is right for the business – and so need to assess these new opportunities in order to maintain or improve on our timelines.”
INEOS expects to complete this review of its options in the next few weeks.
-Ends-
INEOS Automotive contact details:
Viktoria Kirkova-Fane
Global PR Manager
viktoria.kirkova@ineos.com
+44 (0) 7733 150 023
Tom Waugh
Senior Global PR Officer
tom.waugh@ineos.com
+44 (0) 7776 454 747
ABOUT INEOS AUTOMOTIVE
In 2017, INEOS Chairman Jim Ratcliffe, a car enthusiast and experienced adventurer, identified a gap in the market for an uncompromising 4X4 engineered for modern day compliance and reliability. INEOS Automotive Limited was formed and a senior team of automotive professionals assembled to bring the vision to reality with a fresh perspective of 4X4 development and manufacturing.
In 2022 the INEOS Grenadier was launched: a truly global 4X4 built from the ground up that combines rugged British spirit and design with German engineering rigour. The Grenadier provides best-in-class off-road capability, durability, and reliability with the modern comfort and refinement customers expect wherever they are in the world. In 2023 a double-cab pick-up variant of the Grenadier was launched called the Quartermaster.
INEOS Automotive is a subsidiary of INEOS, a leading manufacturer of petrochemicals, specialty chemicals and oil products. It employs 24,500 people across 29 businesses, with a production network spanning 154 sites in 27 countries. From paints to plastics, textiles to technology, medicines to mobile phones, materials manufactured by INEOS enhance almost every aspect of modern life. In 2025, INEOS had sales of $55bn. To find out more about INEOS Automotive, visit www.ineosgrenadier.com.
