Ineos Automotive, a brand founded in 2017 by billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, has already confirmed that the spiritual successor of the former Land Rover Defender will be partially produced in Portugal, specifically in Estarreja.
The Bridgend-based brand points to the year 2021 for the start of production of the Granadier – the name of this new 4X4 – whose base is based on an old Ford platform. At issue is the creation of new 200 jobs in the first phase, the result of a direct investment that could exceed 300 million euros.
The planned production facility for Estarreja will handle the production of the body and chassis, with final assembly taking place in Bridgend, South Wales.
What we already know about the new Grenadier
The new Grenadier could be unveiled as early as 2020. The all-terrain vehicle will use 3.0 l inline six-cylinder diesel engines, originally from BMW, and will be mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission from ZF. As the “work horse” it intends to be, the Grenadier will be able to tow up to 3500 kg.
Ineos Automotive wants Grenadeir, a project that represents an investment of 700 million euros, to be a global product, intending to launch it in Africa, Oceania, Europe and North America.
Check the press release in full here.