Fiat India is all set to introduce the Jeep range of products at the 2016 Auto Expo, will showcase the Wrangler and Cherokee and will also announce its India launch.
The Jeep range of products was first revealed by Fiat in 2012 with plans of entering India, now finally after years of waiting Fiat is finally set to roll out the Jeep brand in 2016. Kevin Flynn, the CEO of Fiat India confirmed the company’s plans to introduce the Jeep range at the 2016 Auto Expo where they will reveal the latest versions of the Cherokee and Wrangler to the Indian market.
Kevin Flynn also mentioned that they plan to make India a global hub for certain models once the brand enters India. Flynn also mentioned that besides the brand’s showcase at the 2016 Auto Expo, it will also be opening dealerships in 5 major cities across the country. Both the Cherokee and Wrangler would be launched together next year and would enter India as CBU units. The company has also announced that the Cherokee and Wrangler will not be the only two products to enter India and that there is already a range of other models lined-up.
The company has already announced a $280 million investment plan in the country for the manufacturing of Jeep models. There will also be a new compact SUV made for the Indian market, sharing the same platform as the Renegade. This new SUV though, won’t be available until 2017 as the present focus for the company is on the Cherokee and Wrangler for brand building.
The manufacturing facility for Jeep will be in Ranjangaon, near Pune. This will be their fourth large volume plant outside the US for the Jeep brand. Flynn mentioned that the company has identified all its areas for improvement and will now work on these areas, so as to completely re-establish the brand in India. He also added that the company will hold new brand campaigns in the near future, so as to make the brand ‘resonate’ to Indian customers.
