Letter to Lynne Calder

[Commodore]

The Great Wall Motor Company of China initially began as a modest enterprise specializing in vehicle modifications and repairs, gradually navigating the automotive production landscape through a proceThe Great Wall Motor Company of China initially began as a modest enterprise specializing in vehicle modifications and repairs, gradually navigating the automotive production landscape through a process of trial and error. Faced with numerous challenges, including limited funding, technology, and resources, the company's relentless dedication enabled it to grow from humble beginnings. In stark contrast, the owner of Ineos Grenadier, a former British billionaire, could readily acquire technology, equipment, and R&D personnel by merely investing his wealth, making his journey from scratch to success much smoother. The issues I have raised were all identified within forums, and frankly, they are relatively straightforward to rectify; it boils down to a question of willingness. For example, when a journalist inquired about the issue of rust on Great Wall Motor vehicles, Chairman Wei Jianjun responded by suggesting that rust might not be a craftsmanship issue but potentially a design flaw or even a matter of ethical integrity.ss of trial and error. Faced with numerous challenges, including limited funding, technology, and resources, the company's relentless dedication enabled it to grow from humble beginnings. In stark contrast, the owner of Ineos Grenadier, a former British billionaire, could readily acquire technology, equipment, and R&D personnel by merely investing his wealth, making his journey from scratch to success much smoother. The issues I have raised were all identified within forums, and frankly, they are relatively straightforward to rectify; it boils down to a question of willingness. For example, when a journalist inquired about the issue of rust on Great Wall Motor vehicles, Chairman Wei Jianjun responded by suggesting that rust might not be a craftsmanship issue but potentially a design flaw or even a matter of ethical integrity.

Then buy the damn Chinese truck. Personally, I continue to believe that you are vastly underestimating the difficulty of starting from scratch and launching in 50 countries. It's amazing that the Grenadier has only a few minor issues. Do you own a Grenadier or are you just here because you are on the Chinese Automotive Industry aka government payroll?

 

[CRH]

Just for you....

Part 90 in the second pic...
View attachment 7897611View attachment 7897612

Is this the part all UK and European owners need?

 

[Tom D]

Is this the part all UK and European owners need?

It is listed in the catalogue as for the ROW steel bumper. I can't guarantee that it will even fit on the Euro models.... Although @Logsplitter fitted it I think? don't buy it on my recommendation... Maybe someone who has it fitted can verify that it fits?

 

[Logsplitter]

It is listed in the catalogue as for the ROW steel bumper. I can't guarantee that it will even fit on the Euro models.... Although @Logsplitter fitted it I think? don't buy it on my recommendation... Maybe someone who has it fitted can verify that it fits

Both of my radiator/bumper support brackets came from a vehicle in the Ineos showroom in Windhoek Namibia. So rest of the world spec. The bumper had to be drilled and nuts welded on inside but I guess you could drill and put nutserts/rivnuts in instead this would negate the need for completely dismantling and taking out the auxiliary radiators.

 

[Tom D]

Both of my radiator/bumper support brackets came from a vehicle in the Ineos showroom in Windhoek Namibia. So rest of the world spec. The bumper had to be drilled and nuts welded on inside but I guess you could drill and put nutserts/rivnuts in instead this would negate the need for completely dismantling and taking out the auxiliary radiators.

Thanks. So its not a plug and play option then.. I'm waiting for my XLW winch bumper to arrive so I'll have to see how that goes together, hopefully I won't need the brackets.

 

[CountyV8]

Thanks. So its not a plug and play option then.. I'm waiting for my XLW winch bumper to arrive so I'll have to see how that goes together, hopefully I won't need the brackets.

 

[Logsplitter]

The rest of the world bumpers have a different bottom housing/bracket for the auxiliary radiator that has a stud on it for fixing support bar/bracket as I understand it. The European spec bumpers and bottom radiator support housing don’t have this, so to use the support brackets/bars you have to modify slightly by making a fixing on the bottom of the bumper

 

[IslandFalconer]

The manual really should be a PDF... Or, an executable file... Beggars cannot be choosers but individuals logging into their dealer network sounds like another job title for them. It cannot be that difficult to create a stand alone file for download, then it is one and done for them. Plus you'd presumably have access to it in a no cell/data service recovery situation. Partnering with autel would be fantastic if that happens, I have one of those tablets and it is great. If their intention is to just create a file to add to the list of manufactures on an 808 or similar they'd have a lot of happy campers! Been using one on land rovers since they became a thing, it gets into every single module right down to live streaming dating from heated seat thermistors.

Regardless, great work Tom D.

-Brad

John Deere does it with a customer log in. It works well. I’ve never had an issue with the system.

 

[Sean326]

Does anyone have any information on whether future models.. maybe '26 will have a more contemporary ADAS system?
I get the mechanically basic idea of the vehicle and respect it. Respect it enough to spend $90k buying it and I love it. After 2 weeks and 600 miles I was under whelmed what they call ADAS. It's incredibly intrusive with never ending clicks beeps and chirps but doesn't actually provide any tangible benefit. No adaptive cruise control that adjusts speeds to match the car in front of you, no blind spot monitoring etc... As I understand it over 1/2 the global sales are in the USA and we have some real long boring roads we have to drive in between the fun ones. A truly adaptive cruise speed control, maybe blind spot monitor would be wonderful and not interfere at all with the Grenadiers robust off road abilities. As I understand from the dealer the market demographics is mid X's to young boomers and I can tell you that age group would embrace a few modern conveniences. It may even help limit the pretty significant low milage returns and trade ins at my dealers lot.

 

[BradS1]

John Deere does it with a customer log in. It works well. I’ve never had an issue with the system.

I wouldn't know. I downloaded an ISO for my 1025R years ago and then ripped it into a file folder. ipad in the garage, with all the manuals for everything I own in a folder. It's nice just having access to what you need when you need it... without worrying about logging in, whether the rules will change, they're down for maintenance whathaveyou. But... I'll take what I can get at this rate. It is just my personal preference to have a stand alone version of a service manual.

 

[Commodore]

Does anyone have any information on whether future models.. maybe '26 will have a more contemporary ADAS system?
I get the mechanically basic idea of the vehicle and respect it. Respect it enough to spend $90k buying it and I love it. After 2 weeks and 600 miles I was under whelmed what they call ADAS. It's incredibly intrusive with never ending clicks beeps and chirps but doesn't actually provide any tangible benefit. No adaptive cruise control that adjusts speeds to match the car in front of you, no blind spot monitoring etc... As I understand it over 1/2 the global sales are in the USA and we have some real long boring roads we have to drive in between the fun ones. A truly adaptive cruise speed control, maybe blind spot monitor would be wonderful and not interfere at all with the Grenadiers robust off road abilities. As I understand from the dealer the market demographics is mid X's to young boomers and I can tell you that age group would embrace a few modern conveniences. It may even help limit the pretty significant low milage returns and trade ins at my dealers lot.

I'm 58 years old. To some that might make me a grumpy old man. I grew up driving cars that didn't have these modern "improvements" and they worked just fine. I want all but the engine and transmission management computers out of the car. They add unnecessary complication and distraction.

I don't need "off road mode";
I don't need a computer telling me when I can lock my diffs;
I don't need something reading speed limit signs for me;
I don't need traction control;
I don't need stability control;
I don't need digital gauges, especially when the are terribly wrong... hello fuel gauge;
I don't need something telling me that I just crossed a lane line;
I don't need a service reminder;
I don't need a drowsy driver alert bonging at me;
I don't need parking sensors;
I don't need auto start stop;
I don't need a backup camera;
I don't need crappy driving lights that only can be turned on in off road mode;
I don't need tire pressure monitors that tell me that I have low pressure in the morning then 30 minutes of highway driving they tell me that tire pressure is too high.
I don't need it to automatically put me in park when I try and move with the door open because I actually need the door open to see something;
I don't need carplay.

I would trade all of the above for:

A climate control that actually works;
More caster in the steering geometry;
A front pinon that points up towards the transfer case;
A windshield that doesn't cost $3,000 USD to replace... seriously WTF!;
A stereo worthy of a $90,000 truck;
The ability to lock the front diff without the rear and to lock either whenever I want.

Mechanically the truck is near perfect but the software has issues that are entirely self inflicted. I continue to hope for code fixes or ways to bypass much of the BS.

 

[ECrider]

Just for you....

Part 90 in the second pic...
View attachment 7897611View attachment 7897612

You sir are a scholar and a gentleman.

Thank you kindly.

 

[Sean326]

I'm 58 years old. To some that might make me a grumpy old man. I grew up driving cars that didn't have these modern "improvements" and they worked just fine. I want all but the engine and transmission management computers out of the car. They add unnecessary complication and distraction.

I don't need "off road mode";
I don't need a computer telling me when I can lock my diffs;
I don't need something reading speed limit signs for me;
I don't need traction control;
I don't need stability control;
I don't need digital gauges, especially when the are terribly wrong... hello fuel gauge;
I don't need something telling me that I just crossed a lane line;
I don't need a service reminder;
I don't need a drowsy driver alert bonging at me;
I don't need parking sensors;
I don't need auto start stop;
I don't need a backup camera;
I don't need crappy driving lights that only can be turned on in off road mode;
I don't need tire pressure monitors that tell me that I have low pressure in the morning then 30 minutes of highway driving they tell me that tire pressure is too high.
I don't need it to automatically put me in park when I try and move with the door open because I actually need the door open to see something;
I don't need carplay.

I would trade all of the above for:

A climate control that actually works;
More caster in the steering geometry;
A front pinon that points up towards the transfer case;
A windshield that doesn't cost $3,000 USD to replace... seriously WTF!;
A stereo worthy of a $90,000 truck;
The ability to lock the front diff without the rear and to lock either whenever I want.

Mechanically the truck is near perfect but the software has issues that are entirely self inflicted. I continue to hope for code fixes or ways to bypass much of the BS.

Probably could have gotten a car without most of that stuff for a lot less than $90k... I do need carplay, gotta have tunes... I'm 60!

 

[Commodore]

Probably could have gotten a car without most of that stuff for a lot less than $90k... I do need carplay, gotta have tunes... I'm 60!

I had a Bronco Sasquatch before the Grenadier and a fullsize Range Rover. The Bronco was loud and uncomfortable and had a habit of breaking tie rods and when you strengthen those then the steering rack end casting breaks. The Range Rove was comfortable but not capable enough off road. The Grenadier is exactly what I want just hate the damn software and wish I could bypass all of it.

 

[Tazzieman]

Probably could have gotten a car without most of that stuff for a lot less than $90k... I do need carplay, gotta have tunes... I'm 60!

But you don't need the mirror!

 

[ADVAW8S]

But you don't need the mirror!

View attachment 7897632

I turned 49 last week and this is how I felt all through my 48. I feel like I am in my 20s.

 

[Tazzieman]

I turned 49 last week and this is how I felt all through my 48. I feel like I am in my 20s.

People are like cars. If you have a good one to start with, look after it and it will continue to perform well, even if a few horses are lost along the way!

 

[AaronS]

People are like cars. If you have a good one to start with, look after it and it will continue to perform well, even if a few horses are lost along the way!

At some point the miles do add up...

 

[Tazzieman]

At some point the miles do add up...

And the muffler/tailpipe needs attention
Just avoid too many Italian tuneups.

 

[bigleonski]

I’ve never wanted a full blown auto mechanics workshop manual - it would be lost on me.
But something along the lines of the old Haynes manuals that get you out of trouble with dealing with general maintenance and how do I get out of trouble here are invaluable. There were many times I wished I’d had one for my 100 and 200 LC in the past 20 years.