Jeep used the Auto Expo as a platform to announce its plans to enter India for the first time, as it aims to capitalise on the growing market for SUVs.
The Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Cherokee models will be on sale in India by the middle of this year, the company said.
It also plans to launch local production of a new Jeep model for the Indian market next year.
Despite growing concerns about cars’ contribution to pollution in India, the SUV segment was one of the main segments that car makers were promoting at the exhibition.
“Last year, we started local production in Brazil and China, and today, we are launching the Jeep brand in the fifth largest market in the world, India, setting the foundation for our future growth in this country,” said Mike Manley, chief operating officer and head of Jeep brand, which is part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).
FCA last year announced plans to invest US$280 million in a manufacturing joint venture with Tata Motors. The production facility will be in Ranjangaon, about 50 kilometres from Pune.
The Wrangler and Grand Cherokee will be sold with a choice of diesel or petrol engines in India.
“The SUV segment witnessed robust growth of 22 per cent over the last five years in India and we expect it to grow exponentially” said Kevin Flynn, the president and managing director of FCA India. Jeep’s sales globally reached record levels of 1.2 million vehicles last year, according to the company.
Maruti Suzuki unveiled a compact SUV called the Vitara Brezza at the show, which it plans to launch in a few weeks.
Hyundai focused on showcasing its Tuscon SUV, while Honda took the wraps off its BR-V compact SUV.
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