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Top Gear
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Ineos: "we should be going for ‘lower' emission vehicles, not zero emission"
Business Striving for a 'one-tech' solution is killing progress (and the car industry), according to Ineos Automotive CEO Lynn Calder Skip 1 photos in the image carousel and continue reading 'We're in a world where policy is defining what people should buy, and people don't want it,' said Ineos Automotive CEO Lynn Calder at the FT's Future of the Car summit. Calder is voicing concerns about the regulations around the push for electrification. 'I think customers don't want choice, they need choice, [and] the policy framework that's in place with these kinds of drop-dead dates and a one-technology solution is designed inherently not to give that choice.' Advertisement - Page continues below Europe is the only region where petrol and diesel sales will be phased out in 2030 for passenger cars, and again in 2035 for commercial vehicles. Calder reckons there's 'no chance' of there being 'nothing but electric cars' on the market by the time the 2035 deadline rolls around. Despite the government relaxing the rules to allow hybrids to continue being sold, Calder said the timing is off (and Nissan's urgent restructuring suggests the Ineos boss does have a point): "The industry is on its knees. £4.5bn was put into the UK market last year to get customers into electric cars. Since [the pandemic], economic conditions have been terrible, powertrain policy has been difficult and confusing, [with] incessant regulation on supposed safety features that everyone wants to switch off - and then [we get] a trade war. You might like 'We need to recognise consumer demand, the popularity of hybrids. But that's come at a great cost, investment in [multiple] powertrain options: manufacturers have spent tens of billions on strategies that are not working. 'We've lost sight [of the customer] which is why we're in the situation we're in. The risk we run is that consumers hold onto older, less efficient cars for longer,' she added. Advertisement - Page continues below She wants regulations to become 'technology-agnostic' and insisted the industry should be aiming for lower- emission vehicles, not zero-emission ones. The sentiment is pragmatic enough, but Ineos as a carmaker is a novel venture. It knew the electric-only roadmap when it got into building the Ineos Grenadier, and starting a car business when you know the goal then complaining about the goal is a bit... er, hypocritical, no? Calder thinks not. 'Electrification will always have its place, but it's not going to be a one-technology solution," she said, "EV tech adopters are in cities with charging capability, but [outside of that] there's no real investment in infrastructure, and no real incentives to go electric." The feeling is hybrids – in various guises – need to be hugged, hard. The Ineos Fusilier, with its range-extender powertrain potential, might still in the pipeline, but it's all policy-dependent. "That's just been paused, not cancelled," she said. "[But] if we come out with our Fusilier in 2027 or 2028, we've got a lifecycle of selling in Europe and the UK for six or seven years maximum, and that's not an economic business case. 'I think the reality is we will be selling them for longer than that. I just want them [the regulators] to say that today, not in 10 years' time, because this is not an industry that can survive on last minute dot com decisions; it's an industry that needs clarity." Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
Motor 1
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Ineos CEO: People Don't Want To Be Force-Fed EVs
The European Union might have relaxed its rules regarding the sale of new gasoline/diesel cars, but it'll still be hard for automakers to keep combustion alive. That frustrates Ineos Automotive CEO Lynn Calder, who says the industry should listen to customer demand and not top-down policies pushing full electrification. Ineos wants to give customers a choice—not just electric vehicles. She told Top Gear that hybrids are popular, and yet 'policy is defining what people should buy, and people don't want it,' even though she believes electrification 'will always have its place.' These policies are significantly harder on smaller auto operations like Ineos. But the company is embracing the new technology. Ineos Fusilier Over a year ago, Ineos revealed the Fusilier , an electric vehicle with a range-extender option. The project is currently paused, according to Calder. If it hits the market in 2027 or 2028, Ineos might be unable to sell it long enough to make a business case for producing it. Calder also believes the EU will extend the ability to continue selling non-zero-emissions vehicles beyond the deadline. The EU relaxed the wording regarding its ban on combustion-powered vehicles, saying instead that it wants zero-emissions vehicles, which leaves the door open for carbon-neutral fuels like hydrogen or synthetic fuels. She said that pushing for lowering emissions should be the goal, not a push for zero-emissions vehicles. Ineos Automotive was formed in 2017 to design and build a utilitarian off-road vehicle that would become the Grenadier. It also sells the Quartermaster pickup truck. The company sources its 3.0-liter inline-six gas and diesel engines from BMW . More From Ineos: Whoops: The Ineos Grenadier's Doors Could Fly Open Unexpectedly Recaro Bankruptcy Likely Behind Ineos Grenadier Production Stoppage Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Top Gear Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Forbes
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
How Ineos Is Planning Growth: Balancing Demand And Tariff Uncertainty
Ineos Grenadier exhibit at the New York Auto Show 'The U.S. has a strong car culture,' says George Ratcliffe, president of the Americas for Ineos Automotive, which makes it the perfect place for this rugged yet bespoke off-road brand to flourish. Adding price protections will guarantee that as uncertainly roils the automotive market, or at least that's what Ineos is hoping. But first, the company has to navigate the waters of heated competition, building a dealer network and the always fluctuating issue of tariffs. 'With or without tariffs, the message is the same: we're growing a new brand and we've really got to look after our customer first,' Ratcliffe told us. The first message from Ineos is that it will extend price protections to fortify that customer relationship. The company will limit tariff markups to 5%. This represents quite a discount on both the Grenadier SUV, subject to a 25% tariff because it's built in Hambach, France, and the Quartermaster pickup truck, subject to an additional 25% tariff thanks to the 'chicken tax' levied on imported pickup trucks. The strategy is designed for long-term growth, Ratcliffe told Forbes. With more than three million pickup trucks sold in the U.S., Ineos believes that even a small share of the market can be quite lucrative and key to the company's growth. In 2024 the U.S. represented 65% of Ineos' global sales. The Sewell Ineos dealership in Dallas, Texas After a very strong launch in the U.S., Ineos Automotive is fortifying its U.S. market position with new leadership, an expanded dealer network and new offerings. Late in 2024 the company added Gregor Hembrough, formerly head of Polestar's U.S. operations, as executive vice president of U.S. operations, and is moving the company's headquarters to Montvale, New Jersey, from Raleigh, North Carolina. The move will give Ineos Automotive a strategic advantage. 'The automotive competence is in that area,' Hembrough said. 'All the big automotive manufacturers from Europe are in that area,' and it makes for an easier commute to Ineos's headquarters in London and manufacturing plant in France. Ineos is also growing the strength of its dealership network, not only expanding the current network of 32 dealers to 41 by the end of 2025, but by ensuring their dealers are truly partners. 'We want partners that want to grow the brand, who are passionate about the product,' Hembrough told us. Ineos is looking for a collaborative approach, which the company sees as the best way to serve the buyer. Ineos Grenadier Arcane Works editions offer a higher level of luxury, customization and more ... More capability Enhancing its sales model is the ability for customers to build truly personalized versions of the brand's SUV and pickup truck, a strategy that has elevated both sales and revenue for ultra-luxury brands like Aston Martin and Rolls-Royce. Ineos models which start at just under $80,000, can quickly double in price with color-matched paints, bespoke interiors and customized accessories and equipment. Ineos' Arcane Works is the first sub-brand from the carmaker, and will offer limited series SUVs and trucks and introduce high quality customization. The Detour, for example, has a limited run of just 200 and is hand finished in the U.K., requiring 150 hours to craft each one. Customers can also order a rally version of the Grenadier, designed for the most extreme terrain and weather. Ineos has set high expectations for sales growth, despite the challenges; the company is targeting 50% growth in the U.S. this year. And if Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin, which are seeing order rates of more than 50% for highly personalized models, are any indication, the Ineos future is both bright and exciting.
BBC News
03-04-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
How Trump's tariffs might impact sport
"It's potentially the difference between life and death."The words of a "hugely frustrated" Lynn Calder - the head of Ineos Automotive, the car company owned by Manchester United minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe - when talking about the impact that United States tariffs would have on the its manufacturing based in Germany, the company now faces the prospect of 25% tariffs being imposed on vehicles exported to the crucial American market, with Calder admitting it was "vulnerable to tariffs" and needed "direct and urgent political intervention"., externalHer stark warning was a reminder of the effect that the duties introduced by US President Donald Trump will have on the wide range of industries linked to sport through investment or sponsorship. Global stock markets have fallen as investors reacted amid fears of inflation, but beyond the wider economic turmoil, how else could the ripples of a trade war affect the world of sport? Sponsorship The US is set to stage some of the world's biggest sports events over the next few years, including the 2026 World Cup and 2028 LA Olympics and Paralympics. These events are meant to provide overseas businesses with a key opportunity to raise their profile and boost sales in the US. Korean car manufacturer Hyundai Group, for instance, will look to take advantage of its sponsorship deal with football governing body Fifa during the Club World Cup this year, and then the World Cup in 2026. But could Trump's aggressive trade policies make such businesses think again?"I suspect some sponsors are now re-assessing how they 'activate' such deals in the US, given the trade barriers that have now been imposed," says John Zerafa, a sports event bid strategist."Why would a sponsor spend millions of pounds doing so if it is now prohibitive to sell in America?"Many sports teams and athletes are also sponsored by sportswear brands. With most of these companies relying on materials and manufacturing in Asia - where Trump has directed some of the highest tariffs - it is no surprise that shares in the likes of Nike, Adidas and Puma have all fallen sharply, with fears that higher importing costs would be passed on to sports finance expert Kieran Maguire says the impact should be limited. "For a $100 (£76.36) replica sports jersey sold in the US, manufacturing costs are likely to be in the region of $12-15 dollars at source, and maybe even lower," he says."So even if there's a 40% tariff when the goods are imported to the US, that'll only be around $4 more."Consumers are used to paying premium prices in sports retail. The manufacturer and retailer should absorb some of this, and it shouldn't impact on the amount being sold - or the commissions being earned by clubs that sell merchandise."The European Sponsorship Association told BBC Sport that it was "monitoring the situation closely and will actively seek the views of the sport sponsorship community"."As a representative body we will respond accordingly if there proves to be any sign of a material negative impact on the industry," it said. Bad blood at major events? Amid talk of a trade war, Trump's tariffs have also raised questions over the atmosphere at the various sports events it is due to host, not least the Ryder Cup in the US later this year. With European Union leaders highly critical of the policy, it would be little surprise if anti-European sentiment among the American fans is then there's the 2026 World Cup, which the US is co-hosting alongside Mexico and January, Trump vowed to impose tariffs of 25% on imports from the neighbouring countries - America's two biggest trading partners - in a move he said was designed to address the entry of opioid drug fentanyl to the US, the large amounts of undocumented migrants that have come across US borders, as well as trade month Trump claimed the political and economic tensions between the US and its World Cup co-hosts would be good for the tournament. "I think it's going to make it more exciting. Tension's a good thing," he also announced the formation of a World Cup taskforce, external which he will chair to ensure the tournament runs smoothly. Fifa has been approached for comment on their response to the US President's Trump's protectionist policies raise serious questions over the three countries' willingness and ability to work together on security for instance, or to ensure fans can gain entry visas, and then pass easily across borders. With imported materials such as steel and aluminium more expensive, there may also be concerns about the development of infrastructure for the has also spoken provocatively about making Canada 'the 51st state', leading to the US anthem being booed by Canadian fans at NBA and NHL fixtures. Could the additional tensions over tariffs mean such scenes are repeated at the World Cup or even the Olympics?"Nations and cities host global sports events for a variety of reasons, from enhancing reputation and driving global investment, to sending a message to the world that you are open, welcoming and ready to do business. It seems nothing could be further from the truth in terms of Trump's America," says Zerafa."It's not just tariffs. From forced repatriations, and hostility to the EU and Nato, to a possible takeover of Greenland and bad blood with Canada. All this makes it a very challenging backdrop for the World Cup 2026 and LA Games in 2028 to promote that narrative."The IOC has been approached for comment. Insiders told BBC Sport they are confident that Trump's love of sport - and his desire for LA 2028 to be a successful global platform towards the end of his second term in office - will ensure that preparations for the Olympics are not derailed by geopolitics. Sports products and services With retaliatory tariffs being imposed by other countries, a trade war could impact any person, team or league buying sports equipment that is made in the US, as well as American consumers of products manufactured overseas of Premier League exports its content to the US via its lucrative £2bn TV deal with NBC, but because this is deemed a service rather than a product, the tariffs do not apply."As such there should be no consequences, unless there is some form of escalation in the trade relationship between the UK and the US," says Maguire. "So the Premier League won't have to come to some sort of compromise with its broadcast partner."A bigger concern for the UK football industry will be consumers having less money to spend on tickets and TV subscriptions if fears of a recession come to pass.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ineos Automotive boosts sustainability at Hambach with biomass plant
Ineos Automotive has unveiled a €15m ($16.2m) biomass heat plant at its Hambach production and assembly facility in France. The Hambach factory, which produces Grenadier and Quartermaster vehicle models, has undergone upgrades over the past five years with an investment of about €540m. The upgrades included the addition of a new fully-automated body shop, a semi-automated paint shop, a quality inspection lab, and a wading pool for testing water ingress. These enhancements have expanded the facility's usable area by over 60%, now spanning 210,000m2, leading to a marked increase in heating requirements. Ineos Automotive CEO Lynn Calder said: 'Our ongoing investment in Hambach means our Grenadier and Quartermaster models are built to world-class quality standards, and in an environmentally sustainable factory, for export to over 50 sales markets around the world. The new plant, with a 9.2 megawatt (MW) output, is set to consume approximately 14,000t of woodchips annually, sourced both locally and sustainably, to meet 78% of the site's heating demands. The construction of the biomass heat plant commenced in April 2023, and wood-fired boilers were installed by February 2024. The final industrial commissioning of the plant was successfully completed in January 2025. The biomass plant features two wood boilers with a combined thermal output of 8.4MW, an 800 kilowatt (KW) heat pump, and a 200m3 heat storage unit. It is poised to supply more than three-quarters of the Hambach production site's heating needs, with the remaining demand met by an existing gas boiler. The transition to biomass heating is projected to reduce the site's CO2 emissions by approximately 8,800t per year. Furthermore, the resulting waste ash, rich in nitrates, is recycled as an enriched fertiliser for local agricultural use, reinforcing the plant's commitment to environmental stewardship. Ineos Automotive CEO Lynn Calder said: 'Our ongoing investment in Hambach means our Grenadier and Quartermaster models are built to world-class quality standards, and in an environmentally sustainable factory, for export to over 50 sales markets around the world. 'We're very proud of the advanced facilities and its exceptional workforce, which together make it one of the most advanced automotive production sites in Europe.' The Hambach Energy Transition project, which encompasses the new biomass plant, is a testament to Ineos Automotive's ongoing commitment to sustainability. This initiative has received support from France's Agency for Environment & Energy Management (ADEME), which provided a €3.9m grant under its Heat Fund assistance and Pôle national des certificats d'économies d'énergie (PNCEE) programmes. Additionally, Ineos Automotive has entered into an agreement with Dalkia, securing a grant of up to €1.5m. Ineos Automotive president Philippe Steyer added: 'The new biomass plant is the latest in a longstanding and ongoing programme of sustainability-driven initiatives at Hambach. It was critical for us to increase our sustainable energy capacity to meet our growing consumption as the site expands.' Ineos acquired the Hambach site from Mercedes-Benz (formerly Daimler) in December 2020. "Ineos Automotive boosts sustainability at Hambach with biomass plant" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
