Fiat Reaches Deal to Make Jeeps in China in 2015

Fiat Group has reached agreement with partner Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd. to resume production of Jeep SUVs in China by the end of next year.

Fiat's Chrysler unit produced Jeeps in the country between 1983 and 2006.

The new deal intends to produce three unspecified Jeep models in China, one of which may be "uniquely designed" for the local market, according to Fiat. The company says government authorities have approved the plan.

Meanwhile, Chrysler unveiled four Jeep design concepts last weekend at the Beijing auto show: the Cherokee Sageland, Cherokee Urbane, Wrangler Sundancer and an upscale variant of the new Renegade mini-SUV called the Zi You Xia.

Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne told shareholders last month the company would not assemble the Grand Cherokee or Wrangler SUVs in China but that almost any other option was possible.

The company sold a record 731,600 Jeeps last year and aims to reach 1 million units in 2014. China is the brand's second-largest market after the U.S.