Compact SUVs will be Relevant but won't be Essential says Jeep Head

• Published On: 11 December 2017
• 804 Views

Jeep head Michael Manley also hinted at a sub-four- metre SUV for India.

American carmaker Jeep's head Michael Manley said that the American carmaker will not restrict its future cars for India to sub-four- metre SUVs. “I find it really encouraging that many manufacturers have broken the guidelines and launched vehicles longer than four metres with engine displacement larger than 1.5 litre (diesel) due to the market demand. Even though the compact SUV segment in India is very relevant to my thought processes, it’s not going to box me in,” Manley said at the LA motor
show.

For Jeep India, the Compass has seen strong demand, and with the booming demand for SUVs, the company is hoping to capitalise with the launch of the Renegade in late 2018. Local assembly will enable help Jeep price this car competitively.
Manley also affirmed that the company won't ignore the sub-four- metre SUV segment. In fact, he even hinted at the introduction of a sub-four- metre SUV. “A big part of the market still needs sub-four- metre vehicles because it puts them in a very competitive spot. You may as well see a (Jeep) product in that category as there is absolutely going to be a big chunk of the market there,” he said.

The new Jeep Wrangler is likely to go on sale in India in 2018.