Monday, February 24, 2020
By Kamal Swami
FCA To Bring Few More Made in India Models By 2021
FCA India, the Indian alliance of American and Italian collaboration Jeep, made an overwhelming debut in the Indian car market by launching the locally made compact SUV Jeep Compass back in 2017. However, with the entrants of new players, the carmaker could succeed in retaining its sales according to expectations but still succeed in enjoying satisfactory sales. Now, with an objective to enhance its sales the company is going to launch 2 to 3 more made in India models in the country by 2021. According to the company sources, all these new models will be developed at its Ranjangaon production unit in Maharashtra.
The first vehicle to be introduced by the company will be Wrangler Rubicon which is speculated to make its entry in India next month. This will be followed by a new 7 seater SUV and a compact SUV by 2021. The company has already started testing the proposed 7-seater SUV, codenamed as “Jeep Low-D”. It will be developed on the Small-Wide platform on which the existing Compass SUV is developed. The vehicle will also be exported to RHD markets.
Speaking about the engine options the SUV will be empowered with two engine options of 1.3-liter turbocharged MultiAir 16V petrol engine boosting the power of 180 bhp and 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine generating the power of 170 bhp. The transmission duties will be performed by six-speed manual gear and with an option of ZF nine-speed automatic transmission system. As far as the compact SUV is concerned, after making its Indian debut in 2021, it will be also exported to a few countries from 2022. The compact SUV is reported to be developed to impress the youth buyers who prefer to drive the vehicle which looks sportier and embellishes off-road abilities. It is believed to be offered with the all-wheel-drive feature.
