It is by now, a well known fact that the ‘Jeep’ brand of automobiles is coming to India for sure, and it is coming in a big way. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the parent company of Fiat and Jeep recently announced their plans for Fiat India Automobiles Private Limited. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced its plan to invest $280 million in the Fiat India Automobiles Private Limited, which comes up to approximately 1,782 Crores INR.
Fiat Chrysler has big plans for India, and Jeep has a major part to play in this. These plans include localization of production of a few Jeep models, starting with an SUV which has been codenamed “C-SUV”. The SUV which will be an all new offering, which seems to have been made with the Indian market in mind. the C-SUV will be positioned below the Jeep Liberty but above the B-SUV, which is also known as the Jeep Renegade.
Both the B-SUV and C-SUV will be based on the same platform and both will be produced at the Fiat Manufacturing plant located at Ranjangaon, located around 50 km from Pune. The B-SUV will be powered by a 1.5-litre Multijet Diesel Engine which is also expected to power the 2WD version of the C-SUV too.
The 1.5-litre engine in question is expected to produce a peak power output in the range of 105 to 120 PS and will power 2WD variants of both the SUV’s. A 4WD variant of the C-SUV will also be sold, but will be powered by a larger, more powerful 2.0-litre Multijet Diesel Engine whose maximum power output is expected to be in the range of 165-170 PS.
The C-SUV is expected to be priced in the range of INR 13 to 20 Lakhs, and this seems easily achievable, thanks to the initiative taken by the Maharashtra State Government. The Government of Maharashtra recently announced that it would soon reduce the number of approvals required by a company in order to set up a manufacturing plant in the state from 76 approvals to 25 approvals.
A delegation led by Maharashtra State Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis recently had a meeting with Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Global and other company representatives in the North American headquarters of Fiat in Auburn Hills, Michigan. After which, Sergio marchionne, CEO, Fiat Chrysler automobiles was quoted as saying,
“Today marks an important step as we continue to expand the availability of Jeep products around the world. We are pleased that this investment will strengthen Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ presence in India and are confident in the ability of the joint venture to produce world-class products like those carrying the legendary Jeep nameplate”
This whole deal goes to show how important the automobile industry in India is, as the manufacturing facility in Ranjangaon will be the only the Fourth plant outside of the USA, after Brazil, Italy and China to produce a Jeep Model.
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Also see: India-Bound Jeep Renegade unveiled in Geneva
