Locally-Developed Jeep 7-seater SUV Launch Soon – Toyota Fortuner Rival
Jeep 7-seater SUV will be locally manufactured at the FCA’s Ranjangaon facility on the outskirts of Pune.
We informed you earlier that Fiat Chrysler Automobile is planning to launch 2 new SUVs – a sub-4 meter and a 7-seater under Jeep brand in India. A new media report claims that FCA has approved a top-end SUV – under its Jeep brand for the Indian market for 2020-2021.
The new Jeep 7-seater SUV will be positioned above the Compass SUV. it will directly rival the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour, Mahindra Alturas G4 and the Honda CR-V. The SUV will be based on the Compass platform. It will be locally manufactured at the FCA’s Ranjangaon facility on the outskirts of Pune. The report further claims that the new Jeep 7-seater SUV is expected to be launched in the second half of 2020 or first half of 2021.
FCA is yet to make an official announcement on the same. However, a person close to the company’s plan reveals that the project has been approved and the launch could take place in 2020. Likely to be called the Jeep Grand Compass or Compass long, Fiat Chrysler Automobile wants to reinforce Jeep’s premium positioning in the market. Also See – Jeep Compass Trailhawk – all details
Jeep had launched the Compass SUV in the Indian market in mid-2017. After initial success, the sales of the SUV recorded a constant decline. FCA sales reduced by 17 percent in FY-19 to about 16000 units down from about 19358 units it sold in FY-18. The sales are not likely to improve as the market is going through tough times. Jeep earlier planned the Renegade B-segment SUV, but the plan was dropped. FCA is also developing a smaller Jeep for global markets and India will be a key market for the new SUV. This could be a sub-4 meter SUV, which will be positioned against the likes of the Ford EcoSport, Mahindra XUV300 and the Hyundai Venue.
