Yahoo Autos Lack of Recaro Seats Reportedly Holding Up Ineos Grenadier Production
Production of the Land Rover Defender-like Ineos Grenadier SUV and related Grenadier Quartermaster truck has slowed to a halt due to a major supplier issue — and a particularly high-profile supplier is, reportedly, the reason why. According to a report from Automotive News Europe, the Grenadier production line has been stalled by the bankruptcy of long-time car seat specialist Recaro.
A representative from Ineos did not name Recaro specifically when asked by the Automotive News. Ineos CEO Lynn Calder instead says that the problem component is "a trim part, but one we cannot sell the car without." That description would certainly fit the seats, which are, typically, necessary for sitting in a car.
The issues at Recaro go back to a late July bankruptcy. Although the company originally planned to keep full-volume production going, a press release from earlier in September notes that the group has been in discussions with customers to address its current supply chain issues "over the next four months."
Until the Recaro situation is resolved, the reported reliance on the company for Ineos production has halted completion of the trucks entirely. The situation mirrors the many examples of manufacturing lines stalled or production plans altered due to the COVID-19-related chip shortage of 2020/2021. In both cases, the situation serves as a stark reminder that car manufacturing is reliant on a wide variety of outside suppliers; failure to deliver from even one can derail a line, and a product as specialized as a seat cannot necessarily be found quickly from another supplier on short notice.
For now, Calder tells Automotive News Europe that Ineos is exploring both new supplier options and a possible solution with Recaro. Both processes could hold continuing Grenadier and Grenadier Quartermaster production until the start of 2025.
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