Tariffs Make Things Harder, Not Impossible
The new US tariffs add another 12.5 percent onto the already steep 25 percent chicken tax, making the Ineos Grenadier a pricey option in America. That’s unfortunate, because the Grenadier is the real deal for off-roaders. It’s built on a ladder-frame, packs big six-cylinder engines, and comes with hardware that doesn’t mess around. This is exactly what enthusiasts ask for, even if most never actually pull the trigger.
On paper, the fix looks simple: build the Grenadier in the US and skip the extra tariffs. Even Ineos says American production is an option, but tariffs aren’t the real driver here. The bigger story is why Ineos would actually set up shop in the US in the first place.
Why Ineos Is Playing the Long Game on US Production
Speaking to CAR, Ineos Automotive CEO Lynn Calder laid out the company’s thinking and the challenges it faces as a young automaker operating in a turbulent market. Of note, Ineos has a large factory in Hambach, France, from which vehicles are sourced to be sold in around 50 countries.
However, the bigger hurdle is awareness, according to Calder. A lot of people still don’t know the Grenadier is out there, or they lump it in with regular SUVs. Ineos thinks that it can change with more hands-on outreach and by letting current owners do the talking.
When it comes to building in the US, Calder didn’t mince words.
“I think we will, but when the circumstances are right. There’s no point in having two factories that are not fully utilised. If you fill Hambach… then at that point we’re very interested in building Grenadier and Quartermaster in the US. Not really because of tariffs, because tariffs come and go. We are manufacturers. You don’t want to be importing or exporting everything. More than about tariffs, it’s about finding ways to make these vehicles where you’re selling them. If you’re selling Grenadier mainly in the US, make it there. If you’re selling Fusilier mainly in Europe, make it there,” Calder told CAR.
Electrification Is Paused, Not Cancelled
Electrification is still in the cards, but there’s no set date. The Ineos Fusilier, which started as a battery-electric and range-extender concept, is on hold while Ineos waits for clearer policy signals. Calder suggests a range extender might be the most practical step, especially in places like Europe and the US, where incentives are there, but range anxiety hasn’t gone away.
If things fall into place, a launch could happen by late 2027 or early 2028. A full electric 4x4 is also on the horizon, as long as it doesn’t water down what makes the Grenadier tough. Down the road, Ineos wants a wider lineup, with the Grenadier and Quartermaster at one end and more city-friendly, Europe-focused models at the other.
For now, the plan is straightforward: stay flexible, focus on what can be controlled, and keep making rugged vehicles for people who actually put them to work.
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