While future production plans for the Fiat-Chrysler alliance’s Italian brands (Fiat , Alfa Romeo and Lancia) can change from one moment to the other for a variety of reasons, up until now, the American branch of the group has proved to be more reliable and on time when it comes to new projects.
At a recent investors presentation in Germany, the Fiat Group unveiled its product plans for Jeep, which the automaker considers as one of the two global brands in the alliance, the other one being Alfa Romeo.
Under the revitalization plan, which runs up until 2014, Jeep will expand its portfolio with a series of new models to cover all SUV/Crossover segments. The group’s –admittedly ambitious- goal is to double Jeep’s global sales from around 400,000 units in 2010 to about 800,000 vehicles in 2014.
To achieve this, Jeep will gain a new B-segment SUV, which will most likely be the same size as the Nissan Juke; a single replacement for the Compass and Patriot models; a D-segment replacement for the Liberty; updated versions of the Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee, and finally a new range-topping Grand Wagoner.
Earlier this year, Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne had talked about the Grand Wagoneer stating that the 7-seater model will be introduced in January 2013.
Currently, the Chrysler Group is in contract talks with the UAW, the outcome of which will certainly affect the production locations of the new Jeep models including the common C-segment replacement for the Compass and Patriot.
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