The new Jeep SUV will be manufactured at Dongfeng’s facility in Wuhan. (Stephanie Keith/Bloomberg)
key takeaways:
- Stellantis plans to sell a new Jeep SUV in Europe by 2030, jointly manufactured with Dongfeng Motor Corp in Wuhan, China.
- The move deepens Stellantis’ new China strategy after former CEO Carlos Tavares suggested ending manufacturing there in 2022.
- Jeep plans six models in Europe by the end of the decade, including an all-electric Recon next year, while the Wrangler will remain discontinued there.
Stellantis NV plans to start selling a new Jeep model in Europe by 2030 that will be built in China, deepening the carmaker’s work with a partner in one of its main brands.
Stellantis and Dongfeng Motor Corp will jointly produce the large sport utility vehicle, which will be launched alongside other new models bearing the iconic name, Fabio Catone, head of Jeep in Europe, said on a media call. By the end of the decade, Stellantis will have six Jeep models available in the region, he said, compared to two now.
The new venture continues the group’s retreat from China under former CEO Carlos Tavares, who stunned Dongfeng by suggesting Stellantis could end manufacturing in the world’s biggest car market in 2022.
Current CEO Antonio Filosa recently revived the alliance, and the new Jeep SUV will be manufactured at Dongfeng’s facility in Wuhan. The partners are also setting up a venture that will allow the state-backed Chinese company to build its vehicles at the Stellantis plant in France.
Along with the RAM, Peugeot and Fiat brands, Jeep is one of four brands that Stellantis has said it will prioritize in its investment plans. It is the group’s only true global badge and is considered critical to the success of the ongoing change effort.
As well as Dongfeng, Stellantis is expanding cooperation with Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co, underscoring how Western automakers are increasingly relying on Chinese manufacturing, technology and supply chains to remain competitive.
Stellantis has sold about 280,000 Jeep Avengers in Europe through 2023. It also sells the Compass model in the region and will introduce an all-electric Recon there next year.
Catone said the company currently has no plans to bring back the Wrangler after the model was discontinued in Europe due to stricter emissions regulations.
Stellantis has long promoted the Jeep as the quintessential American vehicle. Asked whether a Chinese-made version might hurt customers, Caton said: “Jeep is certainly an American brand, but it’s also a global one.”
“We’re very satisfied with what we’re seeing,” he said. “It’s a real Jeep in every sense.”
