Brexiteer billionaire Jim Ratcliffe moves Grenadier production to EU

Sir Jim Ratcliffe now plans to build the Grenadier, his new version of the Land Rover Defender, on the Continent
Sir Jim Ratcliffe now plans to build the Grenadier, his new version of the Land Rover Defender, on the Continent
JON BOND/THE SUN

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the chemicals tycoon and one of the outspoken billionaire backers of Brexit, has turned his back on the UK with plans to build his new version of the Land Rover Defender on the Continent.

In a snub to hundreds of automotive workers in south Wales, who had been led to believe that Sir Jim would at least partly manufacture his Grenadier off-road prototype close to a former Ford works near Bridgend, the boss of the Ineos chemicals empire has decided instead on an old Mercedes-Benz factory on the German-French border.

Sir Jim said the Grenadier would now “combine rugged British spirit and design with German engineering rigour”.

Ineos group says the deal to manufacture the Grenadier will save 1,300 French and German jobs
Ineos group says the deal to manufacture the Grenadier will save 1,300 French and German jobs
INEOS

Previously Sir Jim, 68, a Monaco-based tax exile who is reckoned to be worth £17