FCA Close To Decide On New ‘Baby’ Jeep

Jeep is considering adding a new model that’s smaller than the Renegade subcompact SUV, according to the brand’s boss Mike Manley.

If the new ‘baby’ Jeep gets the green light, it will be targeted at customers in Europe and other regions where small-sized vehicles are popular but not the U.S., Manley said to Automotive News.

Just how small a Jeep can be? Well, the report goes on saying that the ‘baby’ Jeep will be shorter than 4 meters and that could be produced in FCA’s factory in Pomigliano near Naples in Italy, where the Fiat Panda is currently produced.

Other sources reveal that FCA has been pondering the possible production of the entry-level Jeep since early 2017. The project has since been stopped and restarted many times.

If the mini Jeep gets the final approval, it will be based on FCA’s smallest platform which currently is used by the Fiat Panda and 500, as well as the Lancia Ypsilon. FCA builds the 500 and Ypsilon at the Tychy factory in Poland, with production of the next-gen 2020 Panda also expected to be moved there from Italy.

This leaves FCA with the need to replace the Panda with another model in Pomigliano which, when combined with Europe’s growing demand for small urban SUVs, might eventually persuade Jeep to go smaller than the Renegade.

Note: Jeep Renegade pictured