Ineos Automotive, owned by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has announced a recall of over 7,000 Grenadier SUVs in the United States. This recall addresses a safety issue with the door button mechanism, which may have been assembled without sufficient grease, raising concerns about potential malfunctions. Ineos confirmed its commitment to replace all door button assemblies on affected vehicles free of charge, aiming to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.
The Grenadier, inspired by the iconic Land Rover Defender, was launched in 2022 after Sir Jim Ratcliffe expressed disappointment with Jaguar Land Rover's decision to cease production of the Defender. The SUV represents Ineos Automotive's first venture into vehicle production, and it is assembled in France. Despite its recent launch, the Grenadier has already made its mark, with approximately 20,000 units on the road across 50 countries.
The recall affects Grenadier models manufactured between July 6, 2023, and April 19, 2024. This development is the latest challenge for Ineos Automotive, following a temporary pause in manufacturing last year due to the insolvency of a parts supplier. Additionally, the company reported a pre-tax loss exceeding 1.4 billion euros (£1.1 billion, $1.5 billion) in 2023.
Despite these setbacks, Ineos Automotive remains dedicated to addressing issues promptly and maintaining its reputation in the automotive industry. The Grenadier's creation was driven by Sir Jim Ratcliffe's passion for off-road vehicles and his desire to fill the void left by the Land Rover Defender's discontinuation. This passion has resulted in a robust SUV that continues to draw attention globally.