Jeep has been actively studying an all-new SUV which will sit below the Renegade in the brand’s global line-up. This new SUV will be primarily aimed at Europe and emerging markets as well. This new SUV will be Jeep’s entry-level model.
“A smaller car than the Renegade is very interesting to us and we are actively looking at the project now,” said Jeep CEO Mike Manley to our sister magazine, Autocar UK. Jeep could spin the new small model off the Renegade platform, which is also used by the Fiat 500X, but its compact dimensions are likely to demand a new, lighter platform.
“We’ve seen the general move in Europe towards smaller SUVs, and there could also be a market in Latin America,” added Manley.
The platform strategy at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) suggests that the small Jeep would share its platform with a Fiat model, with the next-generation Panda city car beingt a possible contender.
Details are expected to be revealed on June 1, in Jeep’s next five-year plan (2018-2023), which will be one of the items in a major FCA business announcement. FCA boss Sergio Marchionne will announce five-year plans for the group and each of its brands: Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati and Ram.
Another possible announcement on June 1, could be Marchionne’s replacement if he retires at the end of 2018, as he has previously planned.
