New Models
Prospective buyers of the Land Rover Defender-inspired four-wheel-drive will soon be asked to place a $5000 deposit to secure a spot on the production line.
Australian buyers of the new Ineos Grenadier off-roader will soon be asked to place a $5000 deposit to secure a spot on the production line – before many will have had the chance to take a test drive – as the company prepares to ramp-up production.
Drive understands emails explaining the $5000 deposit requirement have been sent to reservation holders in Australia, who had already paid $800 as an “early expression of interest.”
Ineos says the original $800 figure will be included in the deposit total of $5000 before the company commits to building a customer’s particular vehicle.
Representatives for Ineos in Australia – who handle media enquiries – were initially not able to outline the conditions attached to the $5000 deposit, when contacted a number of times by Drive for further information.
Individuals with direct knowledge of Ineos plans in Australia told Drive the $5000 deposit would be “non-refundable.”
However, after this story was published, the boss of Ineos in Australia, Justin Hocevar, contacted Drive to clarify the $5000 deposit arrangements.
Mr Hocevar told Drive: “I confirm that customer deposit(s) are refundable. This has always been the case and we did not communicate otherwise. Orders will be locked in several weeks prior to build. This will be confirmed with customers in due course.”
Drive understands prospective buyers will be asked to pay a deposit of $5000 about six to eight weeks before their particular vehicle is due to be built – at which point the deposit will not be refundable – and then there will be another period of three months or so for transport and logistics before the vehicle arrives in Australia.
Drive has been told, where possible, Australian customers will have a chance to test drive an early prototype vehicle before placing their order.
It is unclear what would happen if a customer changed their mind prior to taking delivery of their car – after they had placed a $5000 deposit to secure a production slot.
The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) told Drive: “Under Australian Consumer Law, when a consumer buys a product or service, it comes with automatic guarantees that they will work, have no faults, look acceptable and do all the things someone would normally expect them to do.
“Businesses also guarantee that, where a product is sold by description, it will match that description.
“If a product or service fails to meet a consumer guarantee, consumers have the right to ask for a repair, replacement or refund. The remedy the consumer is entitled to will depend on whether the issue is major or minor.”
The Ineos Grenadier is a new chassis-based four-wheel-drive inspired by the original Land Rover Defender, and funded by British chemical giant Ineos.
A hand-built prototype – without airbags or a completed interior – has been available for the Australian public to see at some media events. However, only approved employees or contractors of Ineos have so far been able to drive it.
While some details such as starting price and engine power outputs have been supplied by Ineos Automotive, there are many specifications yet to be revealed.
For those keen to load up and tow, figures like the Gross Combination Mass (GVM) and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) are also important.
Drive understands customers looking to place a $5000 deposit will be furnished with full specifications of the Ineos Grenadier, before they make their decision.
A detailed configurator – which includes pricing – is due to go online next month (April 2022), allowing reservation holders to specify their own vehicles.
The Ineos Grenadier is expected to arrive in Australia by the end of 2022, with sixteen sales and service centres located around Australia.
Pricing for the 2022 Ineos Grenadier is set to start from $84,500 before on-road costs for a five-door, two-seat model, while the five-seater is expected to start from $85,500 plus on-road costs.