Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has announced its plans to expand its product portfolio under the Jeep brand in India. The company will launch a sub 4-metre SUV along with a three-row midsize SUV.
The FCA Group also announced that it plans to increase the production capacity of the Ranjangaon which manufactures the Jeep Compass to almost 1.5 times. The company will utilize this increased production capacity to build the two new models which have been planned to have a market launch by 2022.
The sub-4m SUV segment is booming in India with almost every automaker in the country having one product in this category. Clearly, FCA too see the potential growth in it and hence have decided to enter the same with a product under the Jeep brand.
In order to qualify as a sub-4m SUV, the new model will of course have to be under 4m in length but also be equipped with either a 1.2L or smaller petrol motor or a 1.5L or smaller diesel engine to enjoy the tax benefits that this segment brings.
This new SUV will be positioned below the Jeep Renegade and will be competing with the likes of Ford EcoSport, Maruti Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon and the upcoming Mahindra SUV codenamed as S201.
While the company has not shared more details about the new vehicle, it is expected to use the next generation Fiat Panda’s platform and will also come with a plug-in hybrid variant.
Another model that Jeep India intends to sell in India is a mid-sized three-row SUV which will be position above the Jeep Compass.
The company has also revealed its future plan for the Jeep Compass. The SUV will undergo a facelift by 2022 and also gain a plug-in hybrid variant. The Jeep Renegade was also expected to be launched in India but plans for the same haven’t been shared yet. Some reports suggest that the compact SUV will be available for sale by 2019 in the Indian market.
