INEOS have announced that it will be broadening its standing partnership with Magna in the production of the upcoming Grenadier.

Magna are already part of the project, with their Magna Powertrain subsidiary responsible for the chassis and suspension development from the get go. The expansion comes with news that Magna Steyr will undertake the series development aspect for the all-new uncompromising 4×4.

Dirk Heilmann, CEO of  INEOS Automotive, is pleased with the development.

‘We are pleased to have Magna, with their long heritage and experience in 4×4 development, with us for the next stage of the journey. With our production plans recently confirmed, we now move into all-important series development and start to set our sights on the start of production.’

This follows the news that the Grenadier will be built at an all-new manufacturing plant in Bridgend, Wales, and that BMW will supply inline six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines to the Grenadier.

The INEOS Grenadier is expected to go into production in 2021.

The company who are building the self-proclaimed ‘spiritual successor’ to the old Defender, INEOS Automotive, have confirmed that their no-nonsense 4×4 will be called the Grenadier, rather than the working title of Project Grenadier, following an online vote.

It has also been confirmed that the Grenadier will be built in a brand new and bespoke facility in Wales.

Based in Bridgend, there will be 200 jobs created initially with that potentially rising to 500 in the long run. The site development is now underway to account for the planned start of production next year.

INEOS have also announced that there will be a sub-assembly plant in Estarreja, Portugal, which will produce the vehicle’s body and chassis in conjunction with the European chain of the brand’s suppliers.

CEO of INEOS Automotive, Dirk Heilmann, said of the progress: “Confirming production in the UK, as well as our investment in Portugal, is a major milestone for the project. We are progressing well with the design and engineering work, as well as our marketing and distribution plans. In the months ahead, we look forward to sharing more information about the Grenadier, and engaging with local suppliers, the community and region, in advance of the start of production in 2021.”