Jeep to expand to 11 models by 2022
FCA's most ambitious plans centre around SUV brand
As expected, Sergio Marchionne's last five-year plan as head of Fiat Chrysler will broaden the Jeep range, and push the brand into more market segments than ever before.
At investor conference in Balocco, Italy, the Italian-American company has confirmed it wants to build a long-rumoured A/B-segment Jeep to slot in underneath the Renegade, which is currently the smallest Jeep and measures 4.23 metres long.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Jeep has recommitted itself to building a new range-topping model to be sold under the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer names.
Just as importantly the brand also plans on having new versions of the Renegade, Cherokee, and Grand Cherokee on the market by 2022. Both the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee will seemingly be available in both two- and three-row formats.
Also listed in the product roadmap is an updated version of the recently released Compass, as well as a new "Jeep Truck", most likely referring to the ute variant of the latest-generation Wrangler.
Currently, the Jeep range consists of the Renegade, Compass, Cherokee, and Grand Cherokee. There's also the off-roading Wrangler, and the China-only Grand Commander, which is based on the Cherokee platform.
At present, Fiat Chrysler's only electrified models are the Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid, and the Fiat 500e, a loss-making all-electric hatch with a range of 140km.
If this latest plan comes to fruition, FCA's electrified range will grow significantly, with the company promising to give each Jeep nameplate at least one electrified drivetrain option from 2021.
In total, the brand envisages it will have 10 plug-in hybrids and four full electric vehicles available by 2022. It's likely the Renegade, Compass and Cherokee models will be offered with a battery electric option as these three models are all derived from a common platform.
Elsewhere on the tech-front, Jeep is also promising to have Level Three self-driving technology available by 2021.
Due in the first quarter of 2020 is a new Cherokee Desert Hawk variant, which will offer the "high-speed sand-running capability", and be "underpinned by eight desert-specific engineering standards". The new Desert Hawk will be sold alongside the various "trail-rated" Trailhawk variants and high-performance Grand Cherokee Trackhawk model.
In his presentation Mike Manley, head of the Jeep brand, confirmed the SUV marque will begin offering vehicle subscription services, use-based insurance, and fleet management services in the US market.
With the models and drivetrains announced in this plan, Manley hopes to grow the brand from around 5.9 per cent of the global utility market to around 8.3 per cent by 2022.
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