It was only last month that PH reported fresh investment for Recaro. In early December Proma Group said a relaunch could happen ‘as soon as January’; and here we are, just halfway through the longest month of the year, with Recaro up and running again and Ineos - one of its most significant clients - able to assemble cars at Hambach once more.
Both Grenadiers and Quartermasters are online now, with the first car rolling out the door yesterday a Scottish White five-seat Utility Wagon. It has been followed by two cars in Devil Red, a ‘bold’ new colour for all models and surely a nod to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent acquisition of a stake in Man United . Which Ineos has failed to take any pictures of. Coming down the line soon, better late than not at all, are the Grenadier 1924s, a special edition that added ‘lifestyle accessories and premium design flair’ to mark the centenary of the British fashion brand. With smart ForTwo production winding up at the end of last year (the Hambach facility was a Mercedes plant), there’ll be no holding back Ineos development with more space on offer.
Indeed, despite the unexpected pause, Ineos sales were up 44 per cent year-on-year in 2024, and Mexico and China were added to the new markets list before 2025 arrived. So there appears to be good momentum behind the brand. CEO Lynn Calder added: “We are so proud to have more than 20,000 Grenadiers on the roads and trails around the world. Significant new markets like Mexico and China created incremental demand just when we had to hit pause on the production line, so it is heartening to already hear the familiar ‘toot’ as vehicles roll through the quality check lines again. We’ve got some catching up to do, but we’re up for the challenge.”
For those that are keen, the Ineos configurator has been updated for 2025, including Devil Red as a £740 option. Expect deliveries in due course - or, for those that can’t wait…
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