FCA Readies Local Jeep Production in India

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV plans to launch a local production of the Jeep Compass small SUV in Ranjangaon, India, by June.

FCA spent about $300 million to install a new body shop and expand the plant’s assembly line. The facility, which will add about 1,000 workers, will add the Jeep Renegade SUV in the first quarter of 2019.

The Compass will be offered with a 1.4-liter gasoline or 2.0-liter diesel, each with manual or automatic transmission. FCA targets annual sales of 50,000 units in India, and also is likely to eventually export the right-hand-drive vehicle to Australia, Japan, South Africa and the U.K.