Auto Expo 2016: Fiat to debut Jeep in India by mid-year with 2 models

Italian automaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles said it will launch the Jeep brand in the country during the middle of the year with two products, both in diesel and petrol variants

Greater Noida: Italian automaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles said it will launch the Jeep brand in the country during the middle of the year with two products, both in diesel and petrol variants.

The company, which had initially planned to debut Jeep in India with just diesel engines, now plans to launch Grand Cherokee and Wrangler Unlimited in both the versions.

Fiat changed its plans after India came up with new regulations regarding the diesel engines due to pollution concerns.

"We will enter India with two products this year and we will also manufacturing locally next year... India market will be a big part of our growth as we move from here. We are looking to become a serious volume player," Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Director - Jeep Product Marketing Jim Morrison said.

This year, however, the company will import the completely built units of the vehicles and start local manufacturing next year.

On sales network, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles APAC President and MD Kevin Flynn said: "In the first phase we will set up dealership network in seven cities and increase it to 10 just before we start local manufacturing next year. After that we will look at expanding dealership network to tier 1 cities."

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