Jeep India is riding high on the success of its first made-in India model, Compass that has led the automaker to chalk out a new strategy for the Indian market. The American SUV maker has confirmed a sub four-meter SUV for India which will take on the likes of Maruti Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport and Tata Nexon in the segment. The confirmation came from Jeep’s global head, Mr. Mike Manley. To be slotted below Compass, the yet unnamed sub four-meter SUV will be the lowest priced model from the American automaker in India. As for the launch, the sub four-meter Jeep SUV could either break cover by end of 2018 or by 2019.
Currently, the company has not divulged details about its pricing and launch timeline. The model which will measure below 4 meters in length is expected to be priced under Rs 10 lakh. Just like Compass, the upcoming subcompact Jeep SUV is likely to be manufactured at the parent company, Fiat’s Ranjangaon facility.
Jeep could also plan to make India the mother plant for its latest SUV, to ship it to other right-hand drive markets. For those not in the know, the company also exports Compass model to other right-hand drive markets from the Ranjangaon facility.
Jeep Renegade Photo Gallery
Interestingly, this will be Jeep’s first ever sub four-meter SUV globally. Moreover, the company has been testing Renegade in India for over two years now. While it is a 4.3m long SUV, media reports suggest Renegade could be trimmed to fit in the sub four-meter criteria and come bereft of several features offered on the global model to cut down on pricing.
Though Jeep has not revealed any information on its first ever subcompact SUV yet, but trimming Renegade makes all sense instead of developing an all-new model.