Jeep to locally manufacture new SUVs in India from 2017, invests $280 million!

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles confirms a ‘new Jeep vehicle’ which will be locally manufactured in India from the second-quarter of 2017.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has announced that the company has invested $ 280 million into Fiat India Automobiles Private Limited, with Tata Motors Limited for the extension of Fiat’s Ranjangaon manufacturing facility. FCA has promised that the investment will support the production of a new Jeep vehicle, which is most likely to go into production in the second quarter of 2017 in the country. 

"We are pleased that this investment will strengthen FCA 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," said  Sergio Marchionne, CEO, FCA. 

The new Jeep vehicle will reportedly make its global debut in the country and will compete with SUVs such as the Toyota Fortuner, the Ford Endeavour among others. Rumour suggests that the vehicle will have multiple engine options including a 2.0-liter MultiJet diesel engine, which will come with a 4WD setup. This engine will also be borrowed by Tata’s rumoured premium SUV, which the company is planning against the Fortuner. Besides this SUV, Jeep will also offer a compact SUV in India most probably the last year's Renegade.

The automaker highlighted in an official press release that the Ranjangaon plant will be the fourth facility outside the U.S. for volume production of Jeep vehicles. Jeep branded vehicles are currently built in Italy and Brazil, and will begin production in China in the fourth-quarter of 2015.

“The association of Fiat with Maharashtra is not new and dates back many decades,” Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “We welcome Fiat Chrysler’s decision to invest in the state of Maharashtra and reaffirm the Government’s interest in expanding the relationship with Fiat Chrysler by fully supporting this new initiative.”

FCA's Jeep brand will be introduced soon India with the Grand Cherokee and Wrangler Unlimited (via CBU).