Seat manufacturer Recaro is understood to be the supplier responsible for the four-month production halt at Ineos Automotive’s Hambach factory in France, according to The Telegraph.
The newspaper pointed to Recaro’s financial troubles last summer, which culminated in the 120-year-old company filing for insolvency due to what it described as “significant financial difficulties caused by extreme price increases.”
The collapse of Recaro reportedly left Ineos unable to source critical seat components, forcing the car maker to pause production of its Grenadier SUVs and Quartermaster pick-up trucks in September.
While Ineos declined to publicly name the supplier at the time, it admitted it had run out of a component “we can’t sell the car without.”
Recaro’s future was secured following a rescue deal by Italian company Proma Group which shifted the production of seats to Italy.
The temporary halt had a significant impact with the factory’s production dropping from its usual output of 110 Grenadiers per day to zero. The shutdown came at a critical time for Ineos, which had been ramping up production to meet growing international demand.
Despite the disruption, Ineos Automotive is looking to bounce back strongly. Lynn Calder, CEO of Ineos Automotive, said the company is eager to recover lost ground: “We’ve got some catching up to do, but we’re up for the challenge.”
The company recently expanded sales of its Grenadier SUV into major new markets, including China and Mexico, with vehicles now available in 50 countries worldwide.
Calder has also noted Ineos’ strong sales performance in 2024, with more than 20,000 Grenadiers expected on the road by the end of 2024.
