India-made Jeep Compass compact SUV launch confirmed for mid-2017

FCA India, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, has confirmed the launch of its Jeep Compass SUV in India in mid-2017. The Compass will be the first Jeep product to be manufactured in India at Fiat's Ranjangaon plant in Maharashtra.

Ahead of the locally manufactured Jeep product's arrival, FCA is gearing up to realign its retailing strategy. The company opened India's first FCA Destination Store in Worli, Mumbai. The FCA Destination Store will retail vehicles under Fiat, Abarth and Jeep brands under one roof. Run by Landmark Lifestyle Cars Pvt. Ltd., FCA Destination Store in Worli has a display area of over 8,500 square-feet and a 12,035 square-foot authorised workshop is coming up, off the Western Express Highway at Andheri (East). The company plans to add more FCA Destination Stores across the main cities.

"All of FCA's new Destination Stores are designed to offer a comprehensive brand experience. In addition to the care that customers will receive inside our showrooms and workshops, we have plans for outside, and will introduce Camp Jeep in India – our international property that will be an opportunity for customers to appreciate off-roading the Jeep way," said Kevin Flynn – president and managing director, FCA India.

The Compass is considered as the big step from FCA to strengthen Jeep brand in India. The company launched Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and the Grand Cherokee in August this year, priced in the range of Rs 71.59 lakh to Rs 1.12 crore. Thanks to the local manufacturing, the Compass is expected to be priced around Rs 25 lakh. At that price point, it will be the volume seller for the company rivalling BMW X1, Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V and Audi Q3.

For India, the Compass will be employed with 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engine options with maximum power of 170bhp. The engines will be coupled with 9-speed automatic, while a manual transmission is also expected. FCA India will manufacture this model not only for the domestic market but also for right-hand-drive global markets.