Fiat to Launch Jeep Brand in India Next Year

Fiat SpA plans to reintroduce the iconic Jeep brand to India in the third quarter of 2013, beginning with the Grand Cherokee and Wrangler SUVs.

Fiat intends to import finished Jeeps to sell at 32 brand-specific dealerships. The company expects to later build two Jeep models locally. Mumbai-based SUV maker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. previously assembled and sold Jeeps in India under license.

Mike Manley, Jeep CEO and COO of Fiat-Chrysler Asia Pacific, declares that an expanded lineup is part of Fiat's strategy to boost its market share to 5% in the "foreseeable future" from 0.4% this year.

Jeep is a logical addition. India's SUV sales surged 56% in the April-September period compared with flat passenger car volume.

The company says it will debut nine new or upgraded Jeep and Fiat models in India in the next few years, including a replacement for the Grande Punto supermini hatchback.

Fiat also plans to expand its dealer network to 120 outlets next year. The company began establishing its own dealerships in May after ending a lackluster six-year alliance with the country's Tata Motors Ltd.