Unstable Electric Vehicle Market, Ineos Delays Launch Of Fusilier Electric SUV

Ineos Group CEO Jim Ratcliffe with the Fusilier prototype in February 2024. (Doc. Automotive News Europe)

JAKARTA - The instability of the electric vehicle market and the import duty tariff war have forced most automakers to change their launch plans in recent months.

Volvo recently delayed the launch of EX30 to 2025 "due to changes in the global automotive landscape." Nissan halted the development of a pair of electric sedans "until further notice" and delayed a $500 million investment in the Mississippi Canton plant, which should have been converted into an electric vehicle production hub. Volkswagen ID.7 was delayed indefinitely, Ford postponed two EVs, and General Motors also postponed additional EV production.

Most recently, British automaker Ineos, billionaire Sir James Arthur Radcliffe, decided to postpone the launch of their Fusilier electric car. This delay is based on the weakening consumer interest in electric vehicles and regulatory uncertainty regarding import duties and taxes.

Fusilier itself was announced in 2024 as a smaller model than Grenadier, previously planned to start production in 2027. However, the plan had to be postponed.

"We are delaying the launch of Ineos Fusilier for two reasons: slow consumer interest in electric vehicles and regulatory uncertainty in the automotive industry regarding import duties, time and taxes. We need long-term clarity from policymakers," Ineos said in a written statement to Automotive News Europe, quoted July 4.

Ineos has not yet provided a new launch schedule, so it is still unclear when this SUV will officially be marketed.

Although technical specifications have not been announced, Ineos previously planned to offer Fusilier in two variants: a pure electric model and a plug-in hybrid version that uses small gasoline engines as a power outage. There is no word yet whether the two variants are both delayed, or whether plug-in hybrid models can still be produced by the end of 2027.

To date, Ineos has only presented Fusilier as a design of digital mockups and images. In terms of appearance, this SUV has a tough design and looks like Grenadier in a smaller size. This delay indicates that the electricity version was delayed in the early stages of development.

Austrian engineering and manufacturing company Magna has previously been appointed to assist Fusilier's design and production. Magna is the same company that produces Grenadier, as well as Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Toyota Supra.

It is hoped that Ineos will provide further details about the future of the Fusilier project in the coming months. Meanwhile, they have started production of their first pickup, Grenadier-based Quartermaster, at the Hambach factory, France, a former Smart car factory.