A new small Jeep model to sit below the Renegade has been confirmed by brand CEO Mike Manley.
The compact-sized Jeep will launch by 2022 and will become the entry point into the Jeep range. It will be priced below the Renegade, suggesting a starting price of around £15,000.
The confirmation of the model, which was scooped by Autocar earlier this year, comes as part of a broader five-year strategy announced today. It includes four electric models and 10 plug-in hybrids by 2022. A Wrangler pick-up and a Grand Wagonner, the latter of which was first confirmed in 2012, will also arrive by 2022.
Manley told Autocar in March: “A smaller car than the Renegade is very interesting to us and we are actively looking at the project now.” Clearly, that decision has now been made, which is not surprising giving the rapid growth of compact SUVs worldwide. It will be particularly important for its European success which has been struggling recently.
“We’ve seen the general move in Europe towards smaller SUVs, and there could also be a market in Latin America,” added Manley.
The new car is unlikely to be sold in China, however. Manley said demand in China for smaller SUVs is focused on domestic brands, which offer strong value for money.
The platform strategy at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) suggests that the small Jeep would share its platform with a Fiat model, with the next-generation Panda city car a possible contender.
The obvious route to market is for Jeep to develop its own body and interior on the running gear of the next-generation Panda 4×4.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Jeep’s owner, is announcing today five-year plans for each of its brands: Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati and Ram..
It will also be the final strategy led by FCA boss Sergio Marchionne who retires next year.
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