Ineos Fusilier Faces Setbacks as Demand and Tariffs Disrupt Schedule

Jul 04, 2024 04:47 AM EDT

SCREENSHOT INEOS FUSILIER — (Photo : INEOS FACEBOOK PAGE)

Ineos introduced an electric Fusilier this year. However, it would not be out on the market as scheduled originally for 2027. The reasons cited for this are lack of demand and tariff-related issues.

Ineos Fusilier EV Delays Launching

Ineos shared details of its Fusilier model earlier this year. It would offer range-extended and electric powertrains. But it seems those excited to see Ineos Fusilier in the dealership would have to wait longer.

According to information from The Drive, The Fusilier represents a compact electric option compared to the Grenadier, featuring an optional range extender.

Ineos' decision to postpone the launch of the all-electric SUV, the Fusilier, stems from uncertainties surrounding tariffs and the softening demand for electric vehicles.

Initially set to kick off in 2027 under the collaboration with Magna-Steyr, which validated the production of its Defender homage, the development path for the Fusilier has hit a standstill with no definitive timeline for production following an indefinite delay.

The delay in launching the Fusilier EV can be attributed to two primary reasons, both fundamentally linked to the challenges faced by electric vehicles on a global scale.

Issues arise from the complexities of taxing Chinese-made components, which dominate the EV supply chain, posing dilemmas for various countries. Moreover, consumer enthusiasm for fully electric vehicles falls short of automakers' expectations, causing a hesitance towards embracing EV technology.

Given that the Fusilier likely depended on Chinese production or sourcing for its electric drivetrain, it would have been impacted by the ongoing trade disputes involving such components. Ineos clarified to Bloomberg that the postponement of the Ineos Fusilier release is due to the combination of hesitant consumer adoption of EVs and the industry's uncertainty regarding tariffs, timelines, and taxation, emphasizing the imperative need for policymakers to provide clear, long-term directives to navigate these challenges effectively.

Autoblog strengthened the report about the delay. It reported with a decline in electric vehicle demand and apprehensions related to tariffs, the British company has announced that the Fusilier, introduced in 2024 as a smaller alternative to the Grenadier, will not commence production in 2027 as initially outlined.

Additionally, it shared Ineos statement to Automotive News Europe. It shared that the postponement of the Ineos Fusilier's launch is attributed to two key factors: tepid consumer adoption of EVs and the prevailing ambiguity concerning tariffs, schedules, and fiscal regulations.

They stressed the essential requirement for sustained clarity from policymakers to navigate these challenges effectively. Owing to this decision, the company refrained from specifying a revised timeline, indicating that the exact launch date for the SUV remains undetermined at this juncture.

Ineos Fusilier Details, Features

This model is a promising one offering additional options in the car market. According to CarScoops, Initially planned as the company's third model in collaboration with Magna Steyr, The Fusilier was intended to feature both electric and range-extended powertrain options.

Notably, the company expressed enthusiasm for the range-extended variant, highlighting its potential to cater to a wide spectrum of consumer preferences worldwide while advancing sustainability goals by promoting decarbonization.

Although Ineos has not divulged extensive details about the Fusilier, it has positioned the vehicle as a contemporary, slightly smaller rendition of the Grenadier. Differentiating itself from being merely a Land Rover Defender imitation, the Fusilier embodies a more modern interpretation akin to a Mercedes G-Class counterpart.