Hold On, Jeep Isn't Done Surprising Us Yet!

On August 30, 2016, Jeep made its India debut with two models from its SUV stable – one variant of the Wrangler Unlimited and three variants of the Grand Cherokee. With prices starting from Rs 71.59 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), none of the Jeep offerings is within the reach of the majority of us in India. Good news came in when officials from the American carmaker announced that a made-in-India SUV will soon take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford EcoSport and the Renault Duster.

The company’s plan is to establish itself in India with the high-end SUV-models and then move to other segments. The C-segment Jeep, which is expected to launch in India within a year around August 2017, will be exported to several right-hand drive markets as well. The company has benchmarked the BMW X1 for this category but will keep the price tag between the Rs 15-20 lakh mark. 

The American carmaker will also target the sub-4 metre SUV segment with its B-segment Jeep. It will take shape to lock horns with offerings from Ford, Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai. The B-segment Jeep price list is likely to start from Rs 10 lakh. The company confirmed that the production of the C-segment Jeep will commence from 2017 but did not reveal the cheaper B segment’s production plans.

An official from Jeep reportedly said, "The smaller B Jeep is a mini-Renegade SUV and it is created largely for markets like India. The company is planning on annual volumes of about 40,000 to 50,000 units, with some portfolio going to exports market."

Meanwhile, Kevin Flynn, managing director, Fiat Chrysler India, refused to comment on the price tags of localised Jeep, but reportedly shared: “The locally made Jeep will be attainable for a significant part of the market." He further added, "We are optimistic and believe that India still wants to leverage its strengths and stands behind its ‘Make in India’ program."

Two vehicle line directors have come from Italy to help the American brand’s production line take shape in Ranjangaon, close to Pune in Maharashtra. Fiat will produce a few hundred units of the C segmented Jeep and will extensively test them before putting the car into mass production in the latter half of 2017.