What an I missing... or is Ineos missing something???

[Jeremy996]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_(marque) has a decent write up of the commercial development of Smart; it is a bit of a tangle.

 

[Sean326]

Some inaccuracies in this and other posts.
1. The suspension system is not commonly found (at all) on BMWs and Mercedes.

The exact configuration is unique, as are most manufacturers configuration by design some for practicality and performance and some marketing. but the components from this manufacturer common to Grenadier are used in various combinations by BMW, Mercedes, Jeep, and dozens of other manufacturers.

2.The factory in Hambach was never used for G Wagens

Yes this looks like you are correct, my bad Magnus Styer makes so many various vehicles in so many owned and rented/time shared factories that I made that mistake. I'm on Mercedes forums too because of my S-500 coupe sometimes i get factories and manufacturers confused.

3. The Smart car was not electric.

• Early electric production:
  The Hambach plant began producing electric versions of the smart fortwo in 2012, according to Autovista24.

4. The Mercedes/Swatch arrangement was not a JV

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Smartville is a purpose-built factory in Hambach, France, established in 1994 as a joint venture of Daimler-Benz and the Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch to produce the Smart car.

5 The old Defender was never produced in Wales

Its engines for Defender were, among others and sir jim would have kept the now closed plant open to make his engines. he was going to build a factory next to it. "Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire owner of Ineos Automotive, had initially planned to build his new Grenadier 4x4 vehicle in Bridgend, Wales, at a factory adjacent to a Ford plant. However, he later scrapped those plans in favor of purchasing a pre-existing factory in Hambach, France. This decision, made amidst Brexit concerns and the availability of a suitable French facility, disappointed many in Wales who had hoped for the jobs and economic boost the Bridgend plant would have provided."

6 The choice of BMW engines was not luxury, IAs requirement was for a 10 year guaranteed supply and BMW were the only company willing to provide this.

OK, he also could have sourced the engines from other cheaper lower profile manufacturers as well, doesn't hurt to have the branding on the hood "powered by BMW" rather than "powered by Ford" or "powered by TATA"

7 High end SUVs don't cost 100k, more like double that.

Niche ones cost double, I know I come from a car family. My brothers daily driver is a niche $250 bentley, his weekend car is some collectable ferrari. When i said high end i meant popularry priced and common, not niche. My wifes lexus is about $80k and considered by most to be high end, my sister inlaws BMWx7 is $80k, My other bros' massarati SUV is was like $130k.. again i'm not talking niche ones like Rolls, Maybach, bentley etc... but the high side of popular priced regular folks models. My wrangler was an affordable $35K with about $20K of AEV upgrades when i bought it, Kinda pricey 16 years ago.
Now base jeeps are $40k, top of the line with boxes checked gets you $90k..., AEV Jeeps are about $130k.

8. Your dealer had a factory Gren for 200k? Please post a link as proof.

Yes about 3 months ago Jim Rattcliffe visited my dealer in Devon Pa, He brought with him a demonstrator vehicle of current and future factory options including portal axels. I just happened to be there getting my Gren serviced but I had time for a few minute talk with him about the future of the brand etc... The vehicle he brought was sent up from a georgia dealer just for his visit. It had a regular window sticker of over $200k and he semi joking said he'd give me a full new price value for my trade in if I bought it today. I didn't take a pic but there are lots and lots of articles about it, here is an excerpt from one on motor trend: "Like the old G-Class 4x42, the portal axle Grenadier and Quartermaster won’t be cheap: Ratcliffe says buyers can expect to pay about $220,000 for one, roughly three times the price of the entry-level Grenadier wagon. But if there’s enough demand, he says, Ineos may consider making the portal axle models part of the official Grenadier and Quartermaster line up, and that higher volumes will bring the price down."

 

[Krabby]

The portal truck cannot even be part of this discussion. Yes the price tag is crazy but the portals alone are 70k. Put portals on a G Class and you’re adding similar money.

 

[Zimm]

That’s the problem - there haven’t been a couple model years in production. Its basically one MY with running changes.

Why wait for 2 years because of the well hashed out issues, that were never addressed, and then buy it? A that juncture, Ineos didn't miss a thing, the buyer did.

 

[Zimm]

Sean, I think you may be spending too much time as the informed authority in your head, and you've drifted into thinking it makes you an authority out here.

It's all reading like a bunch of 1/2 informed bar talk opinions to me.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

Some inaccuracies in this and other posts.
1. The suspension system is not commonly found (at all) on BMWs and Mercedes.
2.The factory in Hambach was never used for G Wagens
3. The Smart car was not electric.
4. The Mercedes/Swatch arrangement was not a JV
5 The old Defender was never produced in Wales
6 The choice of BMW engines was not luxury, IAs requirement was for a 10 year guaranteed supply and BMW were the only company willing to provide this.
7 High end SUVs don't cost 100k, more like double that.
8. Your dealer had a factory Gren for 200k? Please post a link as proof.

I’m assuming the 200k was a typo - it’s impossible - unless it’s a hitherto unseen mash-up one-off from LeTech and Arctic with an 8 cylinder, portals, etc. You simply can’t option a Grenadier anywhere NEAR $200k - it tops out just a little north of $100k, with accessories (maybe $115????)

 

[pmatusov]

a suspension system commonly used in BMW, Mercedes and Land rover.

This is very telling, Sean.
BMW, Mercedes, and Land Rover NEVER, I repeat never, used this type of suspension.
Sell your truck and buy yourself a Toyota.

but the components from this manufacturer common to Grenadier are used in various combinations by BMW, Mercedes, Jeep, and dozens of other manufacturers.

What do you mean? That Jeep has solid axles and Grenadier has solid axles? That every manufacturer uses shock absorbers?
Once again, your generalizations are universally wrong.