Ineos News

Ineos Automotive is reportedly in talks with Chery to set up a deal that’ll see it be able to use one of its platforms for its delayed Fusilier off-roader.As reported by Autocar, the British multinational carmaker is eyeing a range-extender (REEV) platform from Chery’s iCar (aka. iCaur for export markets) off-road brand.It’s expected Ineos will repurpose iCar’s upcoming V27 REEV.At 4.8m long and just under 2.0m tall, this off-roader is slightly larger than the original Fusilier concept, but still smaller than the existing Grenadier wagon.The iCar V27 reportedly has a total system output of 335kW in dual-motor all-wheel form and comes with either a 22kWh or 33kWh battery pack, depending on the variant.It uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine as a generator when its battery pack runs out of the charge.The V27 can reportedly travel up to 200km on electric power alone, according to CLTC testing.It’s unclear where Ineos will build the Fusilier if it’s based on the same platform as the iCar V27.It could repurpose its facility in Hambach, France, to assemble the Fusilier with iCar platforms sent over from China.The car could also be built over in China, but if it is the case it would attract tariffs in Europe.The original Ineos Fusilier was revealed back in early 2024 and was claimed to offer both electric and range-extender options.Initially planned for a 2027 launch, Ineos pumped the brakes on development last year due to cooling demand for EVs and uncertainty around tariffs.At this stage it has been radio silence on this front until now.If Ineos does launch the Fusilier it will finally give it a crucial low-CO2 model that’ll see it comply with tightening emissions regulations in Europe and the UK.The company currently manages the regulations by selling some Grenadier models as commercial vehicles, allowing it to qualify as a low-volume manufacturer which has less strict emissions regulations.In Australia, Ineos sells the Grenadier as a NB1 medium goods vehicle in Australia which allows it to be exempt from the recently implemented New Vehicle Emissions Standard (NVES).It also allows it to be exempt from certain safety regulations for autonomous emergency braking and pole side impact performance.

Ineos’ CEO Lynn Calder has scolded the European Union’s mandate banning the sale of cars with an internal combustion engine (ICE) by 2035, telling Top Gear customers deserve to be able to choose the type of car they want to purchase.

If you don't love this ute, you can give it back - but there's a catch.

The 2025 Ineos Grenadier will be exempt from having car-to-car Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) fitted as standard, despite new Australian Design Rules (ADRs) mandating all new vehicles must be sold with the safety technology from March 1.AEB works by using car-mounted radars to measure the distance between a your vehicle and the car in front. The system autonomously brakes if the distance between you and and that car suddenly starts to shorten.Ineos was awarded the exemption under ADR 97/00 on the grounds of its Land Rover Defender-inspired off-roader being classified as a Medium Goods vehicle with a GVM exceeding 3.5 tonnes, but not 12 tonnes, that is “designed for off-road use.”Asked by CarsGuide why Ineos sought the exemption, even as AEB is fitted on Grenadiers sold overseas as well as the brand’s new Quartermaster ute, an Ineos spokesperson said the technology wasn’t sought after by Grenadier customers.“In Australia at present, this category of vehicle does not have a high demand for this technology. We remain open to the possibility of adding it to our local program in future, however, this will be led by market demand. We continue to carefully review our active customer feedback alongside all government requirements to ensure we provide the most compelling and compliant vehicle.”“Exemptions are available based on specific vehicle classification and this includes the Australian-homologated INEOS Grenadier, a specialist 4x4, reinforcing our commitment to delivering the ultimate vehicle to 4x4 enthusiasts who appreciate a back-to-basics, driver-centric approach.”Toyota did not seek an exemption on its 70 Series LandCruiser, the Grenadier’s main rival, which is also classified as a Medium Goods Vehicle. It now comes standard with AEB.Meanwhile, the passenger car equivalent mandate, ADR 98/00, saw the end of the Mitsubishi ASX, Eclipse Cross, Pajero Sport, as well as the Suzuki Vitara, Ignis and Swift Sport, among others.In response to new rules, Kia moved in January to fit AEB as standard on its Picanto, Australia’s cheapest car, which starts at just $18,290, before on-road costs.The Grenadier was launched in 2022 as the brainchild of British billionaire and chemical engineer, Sir James Ratcliffe, as a no-frills, utilitarian off-roader designed to occupy the gap left in the market by the departure of the Land Rover Defender.It is built on a relatively simple box-section ladder frame chassis, with heavy-duty Carraro beam front and rear axles, paired to a five-link coil suspension from Eibach and anti-roll bars.Powering it is the choice of a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol or diesel engine from BMW, which sends either 210kW/450Nm or 183kW/550Nm, respectively, to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission pulled from a BMW 7 Series.It starts at $102,000, before on-road costs, for the 2 Seat Utility, rising to $123,600, before on-road costs, for the top-spec 1924 Station Wagon.Ineos doesn’t publish its local sales, so it is uncertain exactly how many cars the brand has sold since Grenadier deliveries commenced in 2023, although Australia is considered an important market for the brand.

New Australian Design Rules (ADRs) will begin to bite from March 1, 2025, requiring all new vehicles to be sold with auto emergency braking (AEB) systems. The rules mean major withdrawals from the Australian new-car market but they aren’t quite as widespread as you might imagine, with some manufacturers putting in the effort to keep their cars on the right side of the law. Falling in line with United Nations safety protocols, ADR 98/00 — Advanced Emergency Braking for Passenger Vehicles and Light Goods Vehicles requires the fitment of AEB, a life-saving technology that can automatically apply the brakes if a car senses an impending crash. These systems have various levels of effectiveness but the latest rule change is concerned with being able to detect other cars on the road. The systems must function at least between 10-60km/h and be able to bring the vehicle to a complete stop on a dry road from 40km/h. They must also switch on every time the car is started. This applied to new models of passenger car, light and medium commercial vehicles from March 1, 2023 and will cover all new vehicles imported into Australia from March 1.Mitsubishi is the hardest hit by the new rules, no longer able to sell the Pajero Sport off-road SUV or Eclipse Cross small SUV. The long-running ASX is also affected but Mitsubishi’s small SUV will be replaced by a new model this year.Next casualty is the cut-price Suzuki Ignis, which is not fitted with the technology. A new model, the Fronx, will replace it but probably not at its bargain price. Entry-level Vitaras will also be affected, though the brand did not respond to our query. The Porsche 718 would have been hit by the rule change, but production ceased in September with a new electric generation coming equipped with AEB. Another affordable brand slugged with the need for AEB is LDV, its cheap V80 large van is not equipped with the technology but, like the Porsche, production ended last year and all that’s left is existing stock. The entry trim T60 ute and all G10 van trims also lack AEB. CarsGuide was informed by a spokesperson that both “will meet the upcoming requirements for ADR 98/00”, with more news to share in the coming months. The Toyota Granvia people mover has also been given the chop. Onto the, perhaps unlikely, candidates that are equipped with AEB. Despite their age, these vehicles remain important sellers for carmakers, so it was clearly worth investing.There is none older than the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, over 40 years old its mid-life crisis (or glow-up) saw Toyota add crucial AEB including pedestrian, cyclist and motorcycle detection. Toyota also, a little sneakily, bumped the GVM beyond 3500kg to 3510kg in 2023. The value of this is that the 70 Series becomes reclassified as a medium goods vehicle, allowing it to dodge the latest side impact regulations that would’ve seen an imminent sales stop. The Toyota Fortuner, current HiLux and GR86 manual are all equipped with AEB that permit sale in Australia up to, and beyond, 2026.Another ageing model due for replacement is the Nissan Patrol, though the new version is not due until 2026 the Y62’s many life-cycle updates saw ‘Intelligent Emergency Braking’, an AEB system that can detect cars and pedestrians, way back in 2019.Also worth noting is the British Ineos Grenadier off-roader, the first batch does not have AEB. Cheekily, orders opened in May 2022 (before the mandate for all-new models) but customers didn’t receive cars in bulk until the first quarter of 2023, and Australian media only sampled the cars in December of that year. CarsGuide understands that all Grenadiers and Quartermasters will be equipped with AEB from March onwards.The Australian Government has launched a review into ADRs going forwards now there is no longer local manufacturing to legislate (and protect). The next big active safety ADR change (revised as ADR 98/01) is due in August 2026, when all cars sold must have AEB systems that can intervene if a pedestrian is detected in the path of a vehicle. Some carmakers, including Nissan and Mitsubishi, have called for this to better align Australia’s laws with Europe, Japan and the USA promoting greater affordability and fast-tracking of more efficient models. 

I feel like 2024 was the eye of the storm. It’s the year, which sits between a big surge of electrification, yet before our market will be hit with a big shake-up with at least 12 new manufacturers entering the fray in 2025.

Modern emissions regulations are finally in force in Australia thanks to the introduction of the much-discussed New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES).In force from January 2025, the new legislation catapults Australia’s emissions laws from the 1980s into the 21st century, essentially harmonising our standards (for C02, at very least) to the emissions regime in Europe.From this year until 2029 an ever tighter fleet C02 average will be imposed on automakers in Australia.It may initially seem this could limit the choice of models available to consumers, but it will instead serve to change the dynamic that local distributors and factory-backed outfits have with their respective factories, opening access to models, which before were unavailable, or are actually more suited to sync up with strict Australian Design Rules (ADR) or the safety standards imposed by our local crash-test body, ANCAP.The legislation is also specifically designed to stamp out the practice of using Australia as what some describe as a “dumping ground” for old-technology engines, which are otherwise only sold in developing markets.The light-speed introduction of the rules from virtually nothing won’t be without casualties. Some vehicles, even perennial favourites in Australia, are under threat from these new rules. Some manufacturers are well prepared with a range of hybrids and EVs to help bring their fleet average down, others are scrambling for solutions to improve their otherwise comparatively high-polluting vehicle line-ups.To be clear, these brands will continue to be able to sell these high-emitting engines. It’s not an outright ban. Some V8s, V6s, big capacity four-cylinders and diesels will continue to be sold, so long as their manufacturers are able to sell enough electric vehicles, hybrids and plug-in hybrids to bring their total fleet average down. The only other option? Pay the fines, which could mean the costs are passed on to consumers.So, which brands are most exposed from 2025 onward, and what are they doing about it? Let’s take a look.Isuzu is enormously popular in Australia considering it sells just two vehicles, the D-Max ute and MU-X SUV. The problem is both models are largely famous for their rugged 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine sourced from the brand’s light commercial truck range.This high-emitting engine, plus the fact that Isuzu doesn’t have a range of passenger cars, hybrids or EVs to fall back on as part of its international range, means the Japanese stalwart might be the most at-threat of any mainstream brand in Australia right now.So what’s the plan? Isuzu has already introduced the smaller and more emissions-friendly 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine from its Thai range, which looks to be followed up by its recently-announced 2.2-litre four-cylinder big brother.Lighter, cleaner, and potentially equipped with 48-volt mild hybrid technology, this engine could buy Isuzu the time it needs to get its EV ute plans off-the-ground.Even though Ford remains one of Australia’s most popular brands, this popularity is almost entirely due to just two models, the Ranger and Everest, both are powered by relatively high-emitting diesel engines. To make things worse for Ford, its lower-emitting Euro-sourced SUVs don’t seem to sell in Australia (in fact, the underrated Puma and Escape were both discontinued here recently).Its only other popular vehicle, the primarily V8-powered Mustang, certainly doesn’t help the equation, and uptake has been tame for the Mach-E electric SUV. Ford cancelled its plans to launch the promising Puma Gen-E in Australia, which it seems simply can’t compete with Chinese alternatives on price.What’s Ford doing about it? As is the case in Europe, it is leaning more heavily into its commercial vehicles. It has introduced a range of electric and hybrid Transit vans in hopes fleet customers will take up the low-emissions volume it needs to off-set its utes, which are overwhelmingly popular with private buyers.The Ranger PHEV will also no doubt help, but could have limited appeal with its specs not looking impressive compared to the recently-launched BYD Shark 6.Jeep is another brand full of big and off-road focused vehicles, which look set for a headlong clash with NVES rules.The brand’s 3.6-litre naturally-aspirated V6, which still lives in some of its vehicles, is a comparative dinosaur of a unit. It provides the old-school combustion thrills its audience is looking for, but the problem is it emits well in excess of the 140g/km requirement to avoid NVES fines.Unlike some of its rivals, Jeep is at least having a red-hot go at introducing plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, with the Avenger electric small SUV recently landing in Australia.On top of that, as CarsGuide currently understands the situation, NVES is measured at an OEM level, meaning its Stellantis parent may be able to off-set every big-engined Jeep it sells with a hybrid Alfa Romeo or something fully electric from its incoming Chinese joint-venture brand, Leapmotor.Will they sell in big enough numbers to off-set Jeep’s most popular model, the Grand Cherokee? Time will tell.Like Jeep above, Subaru’s current primarily naturally aspirated range of relatively high-emitting signature boxer engines put it on a collision course with NVES rules.Subaru might be least at risk of the options here though, because it is deep in the process of rolling out hybrids to join its lone EV model, the Solterra.The Solterra hasn't proved as popular as its rivals, but buyers are champing at the bit for the coming next-generation hybrid Crosstrek and Forester SUVs. They use Toyota's hybrid tech blended with the brand’s signature boxer engines.But wait, there’s more working against Subaru. 2027 is not far away, and by then the final stage of NVES will even be putting pressure on currently popular plugless hybrids, which the brand is only just now getting its hands on. Will Subaru be able to keep up? We’ll have to wait to see how its new model plans in 2025 shake out to get an idea, as representatives from its Inchcape importer declined to comment on the impact of NVES on its range at this time.Mahindra’s fledgling new-generation offerings in Australia are a major reset for the Indian marque, with a big increase in spec and quality proving to be a step-change, really giving it a better shot in Australia.The problem is right now, the brand is exclusively bringing in relatively high-emitting turbocharged petrol and diesel engines for its large vehicles, a recipe for emissions beyond the scope of NVES rules.Mahindra is working on a solution though, promising its incoming next-generation range of electric vehicles will feature heavily in its Australian line-up as soon as it can get its hands on them. Additionally, it may be able to off-set emissions from its larger vehicles with its recently-revealed 3X0 small SUV, which could prove to bolster its Australian hopes in more ways than one.Whether it will be enough to off-set its incoming next-generation diesel dual-cab remains to be seen.One of Australia's favourite brands has precisely zero electric vehicles on sale, despite an expansive passenger car range and an offering in almost every segment.Sure, its range of new engines for its large vehicles are impressive. Even though they’re big straight-sixes, they use innovative hybridised transmissions in an attempt to offer its buyers the best of both worlds. Combine that with a range of plug-in hybrids, and Mazda might well just buy itself some time. It will need to do something about its also relatively high-emitting 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder engines, which feature in its range of hatchbacks and small SUVs.The brand recently announced it will introduce a range of lower emissions replacement engines from 2027. Dubbed SkyActiv-Z, the new engine family will burn leaner and theoretically reduce emissions without the need for electrification, and the brand said it will also borrow Toyota hybrid tech for some of its next-generation core vehicles.There’s little zero-emissions vehicles on the immediate horizon. The local division has denied it will need to dig into its Chinese joint-venture and introduce the EZ-6 sedan (at a price that will actually sell), but it almost seems an inevitability with NVES rapidly closing in.Ineos offers just one 4x4, and it looks like exactly the sort that will fall afoul of NVES rules. The Grenadier off-roader is heavy, four-wheel drive, and six-cylinder combustion powered.It is also on a ladder frame, which buys it a higher bar to beat, and its BMW-sourced engines are inherently Euro-6 compliant.The company’s local boss, Justin Hocevar, told CarsGuide at the launch of the Quartermaster ute variant that it was likely the brand would also lean on BMW for engines with upgraded mild hybrid (MHEV) technology in the short term to help it achieve its emissions targets.Additionally, he noted the smaller Fusilier, which will be available with both battery electric and range extender hybrid, was not cancelled, just put on pause for the time being as the brand globally responds to a retraction in EV demand.An EV pioneer turned laggard, Nissan is in trouble when it comes to emissions in Australia. Unlike Honda, which could potentially switch to an entirely hybrid-only range to buy itself some time, Nissan will need to radically overhaul its range of passenger vehicles in just a handful of years if it wants to avoid NVES wrath.Sure, it has introduced the appealing range-extender e-Power hybrid tech on its best-selling Qashqai and X-Trail, but the system isn’t efficient enough to off-set the amount of Navaras or petrol V6 engines it sells.Its trailblazing Leaf EV is now gone and the mid-size Ariya electric SUV is still nowhere to be seen, leaving future hopes in the hands of the small SUV Leaf replacement due to be revealed next year.Ram is arguably a worse position than Isuzu. Its importer, Ateco, has ditched the V8 1500 for next year and is replacing it with a twin-turbo V6, but it isn't likely to fare much better in emissions tests. As CarsGuide understands, Ateco isn’t allowed to spread its emissions across its brands in contrast to its factory-backed group rivals.This means every big Ram could be looking at a major price increase if its emissions aren’t allowed to be offset by Ateco’s LDV Chinese commercial vehicle marque, which is expected to move quite a few electric Deliver 7 vans and eTerron 9 utes in the next year.It puts the brand in quite a spot going into 2025, as much of its success has been due to the bulk of its 1500 sales sitting right in the circa-$130,000 sweet spot, which seems to attract buyers to the ‘full-size’ American pick-up space.

Ineos Grenadier factory back to full strength - but will Australian deliveries be affected?

Ineos says hydrogen will be part of its future, but it may be further away than you'd hope.

Ineos is confident it will carve out a sustainable niche in Australia, despite expensive utes not always being a hit in the past.