Ineos mulls Chery tie-up to boost Fusilier development

Deal to use iCaur platform is being explored by Ineos in bid to slash its CO2 output as soon as possible, writes Nick Gibbs

- Nick Gibbs

Ineos Automotive is in talks with Chery to build cars on a range-extender (REX) EV platform from the Chinese group's iCaur off-road brand, Autocar has learned.

The tie-up would allow Ineos to move quickly to develop its postponed Fusilier REx off-roader and expand its line-up beyond the slow-selling Grenadier combustion-engined off-roader.

The launch of the Fusilier would give Ineos a crucial low-CO2 model that would allow it to comply with emissions regulations in both the UK and the EU.

Currently, the firm manages the regulations by selling some Grenadier models as commercial vehicles, thus ensuring it stays within the lighter-touch rules for low-volume manufacturers.