Stroke: Ineos, the British group of pro-Brexit billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, could finally build its future 4x4 in France and not in Wales as planned. In a press release received by AFP, Ineos said it was in " advanced discussions " with the German automobile giant Daimler to buy its Moselle factory in Hambach, where the emblematic Smart is manufactured. He said " put on hold the works of its sites in Wales and Portugal " during these negotiations, according to the press release Tuesday. A spectacular about-face that immediately sparked the “ anger ” of the British union Unite who spoke of “ betrayal ”.
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A spokesperson for Daimler confirmed to AFP that " Ineos Automotive may be a potential buyer, and that we will be having discussions ". " Ineos Automotive is examining its manufacturing strategy for the new Grenadier in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic which has delayed its plans " but is " faced with new opportunities in terms of existing structures which were not previously available ", justifies the British group.
Daimler had created consternation in France last week by announcing its intention to sell the Smart site in Hambach, which employs some 1,500 people. The Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire had called on the manufacturer to " keep all options open ".
The Grenadier, whose design was unveiled with great fanfare last week, is a gamble of diversification for a group that has long remained discreet but is now trying to make a name for itself with the general public. Ineos is investing around £ 1 billion in the launch of this 4x4, while the automotive sector is going through a serious crisis. Production of the vehicle was slated to begin sometime next year at the Bridgend plant in Wales. It is precisely in this city that Ford must close this year an engine factory which employs 1700 people. The chassis was to be manufactured in Wales.
A decision that reacts across the Channel
The Unite union reacted strongly: " if Ineos reneges on its commitment to assemble the Grenadier in Bridgend, any claim by the group to commit to the United Kingdom will be thrown out the window ". He recalled in a statement that " Jim Radcliffe publicly supported Brexit and said that the country would prosper outside the European Union ". Unite therefore calls on Ratcliffe to “ follow his own rhetoric and build the Grenadier in the UK. Any other decision would only be a betrayal . ” According to press reports, Ratcliffe also moved to Monaco in February 2019 to avoid paying wealth taxes in the United Kingdom.
Reactions in France were on their side cautious. “ We were announced a potential buyer, we have a name, that's all. What you need to know is his project, if he will keep everyone, under what conditions, from when, if Ineos is committed to continuing the Smart that we must manufacture until 2022- 2023 ”, commented Mario Mutzette, CFE-CGC delegate, contacted by AFP. " If it comes with an electric SUV all the better, but if it comes with a Grenadier, with a diesel engine, it does not fit with the image of the Hambach site, which is an ecological showcase with electric models ", he added.
The group confirmed last week that it is planning a gasoline model for now. " We must avoid social breakage, the site must live, it must not be destroyed. Daimler betrayed us like never before, we are suspicious, ”insists Mr. Mutzette. The unions hope to have more details at the social and economic committee Thursday at 11:00. For their part, three Moselle deputies said before the announcement of Ineos wanted to call Emmanuel Macron to " intervene with the Daimler group as well as the German chancellor, Angela Merkel " to find a buyer for the Hambach site.