FCA Debuts Jeep Brand in India

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV plans to introduce its Jeep brand in India this summer by importing two high-end SUVs—the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Grand Cherokee SRT—to a handful of cities.

Both SUVs will debut with diesel power. But FCA tells Bloomberg News it plans to quickly add a gasoline engine option in response to the temporary ban on large diesel-powered vehicles that began in New Delhi last month.

The four-door Wrangler Unlimited has a base price in the U.S. of about $33,700. The Grand Cherokee SRT, powered in the American market by a V-8 that makes 475 hp, retails for $65,500.

FCA says it also will begin local assembly of a third unspecified Jeep model next year through its Fiat India Automobiles Ltd. venture with Tata Motors Ltd. The company plans to invest $280 million to prepare the partnership’s factory in Ranjangaon for the new SUV and eventually other Jeeps. The plant currently builds the Fiat Linea small car and Punto supermini.

India’s demand for SUVs has surged 22% over the past five years and is expected to reach 900,000 units annually by 2020.