Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) recently entered the Indian market with their Jeep brand. Apart from launching a couple of products, they have revealed their retail strategy for the Indian market.
The Jeep vehicles will be sold through 10 upcoming distribution outlets called Jeep Destination Stores. The company plans to set up nine of these by the end of this year. These stores are similar to the brand’s outlets worldwide. They are designed to be premium and have a high level of engagement with prospective buyers, existing customers and even visitors.
The first Jeep Destination store will be inaugurated soon in Ahmedabad. The next two will be opened next month, one in New Delhi and the other in Chennai. The Mumbai store will begin its operations in October, when another outlet will be opened in Delhi again. After Diwali, Jeep India will also open similar stores in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Kochi.
FCA’s retail strategy aims at bringing their customers closer to the Jeep brand’s virtues and product capabilities. As a part of this, they are focusing on providing the original Jeep experience to them. Jeep India’s website already has toll-free numbers for customers to enquire about the products and information about bookings. In addition to the after-sales service for their customers, the brand will offer a two-year unlimited mileage manufacturer’s warranty. This will be offered as standard across their Indian portfolio of cars.
Contents
Next Jeep Wrangler could use 300bhp motor
Be the first to comment
It was reported way back in 2013 that Chrysler was working on a Hurricane engine that’s based on the car maker’s existing 2.0-litre four-cylinder Tigershark powerplant.
Sources have now revealed that the Hurricane engine will make close to 300bhp and is expected to power the next generation Jeep Wrangler. Reports have also clarified that the Hurricane mill makes a higher level of specific output vis-à-vis the 1.75-litre Alfa Romeo 4C, which is one of the FCA’s most stressed engines (150bhp/litre vs 120bhp/litre).
It needs a special mention that the much larger 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 makes a relatively close 285bhp. However, the Hurricane with a smaller capacity, eight-speed transmission and aluminium construction will make the acceptor car benefit through a considerably enhanced fuel economy. To get the best out of this small motor, FCA uses a new turbo charger and variable valve timing.
FCA debuted the Wrangler and Cherokee in India during the Auto Expo 2016, and expect this engine to sparkle in their line up when introduced internationally.
Jeep India to launch a locally made SUV in 2017
Be the first to comment
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has announced the arrival of the made-in-India Jeep in 2017. The carmaker will launch the upcoming vehicle in the Indian market when they start its local production.
FCA has not revealed any more details about the SUV for now. However, the carmaker has confirmed that they will start producing the new premium SUV at its Ranjangaon facility near Pune next year. Presently, the company is planning to extend their reach by opening new distribution outlets in our country. By the end of this year, Jeep will have 10 new facilities across nine cities in our country.
Kevin Flynn, President and Managing Director, FCA India said, “We have invested US$280 million in our facility at Ranjangaon, near Pune, to mobilise our localisation strategy. We are on track with our plans to manufacture and roll out an all-new, premium Jeep SUV from our plant in 2017.”
Currently, FCA India is selling the Jeep Wrangler and the Jeep Grand Cherokee through the CBU route. By next year, these cars will be joined by its India-made sibling. Thankfully, local production of this new SUV will help the manufacturer to launch the car at a competent price. Also by 2017, the expanded dealer network will not just help in the sales, but after-sales services as well. This should help the carmaker to gradually strengthen their foothold in India.
Jeep India product launch preponed to August 30
Be the first to comment
Jeep will launch their much-anticipated SUVs in India on August 30 instead of September 1. The carmaker will start accepting bookings for their product line-up from this day.
Their upcoming portfolio includes the Grand Cherokee, the SRT and the Wrangler Unlimited. The standard Grand Cherokee is powered by a 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine that produces 240bhp. If that isn’t good enough for you, Jeep also has something bigger under the hood of the Grand Cherokee. This is in the form of the SRT, which employs a 6.4-litre V8 engine to churn out 470bhp of power. It will be the largest engined car one can buy in India then!
The more humble (yet monstrous) Wrangler Unlimited will be the brand’s entry-level model in India. As for the engine specs, internationally, it’s powered by a 3.6-litre V6 24-Valve DOHC VVT petrol mill. However, the India-spec model will get a less powerful 2.8-litre diesel motor pumping out 197bhp of power and 460Nm of torque. Also, the Indian market won’t get the iconic three-door Wrangler, but it will be the four-door model.
Jeep, the legendary American brand, has already delayed its presence in India by three years now. Finally, the Jeep SUVs will go on sale in our country on August 30. While the Wrangler will serve as a niche product, the Grand Cherokee will go up against the Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X5, Audi Q7 and the Volvo XC90.
Click here to read our First Drive review of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Jeep Renegade spotted on test in Maharashtra
Be the first to comment
A camouflaged Jeep Renegade has been spotted on test near Ahmednagar in Maharashtra. It is covered in the same camouflage common with Fiat’s test vehicles and has been spotted on multiple occasions.
