Jeep will launch four new models in Europe in 2018 as it looks to improve on its “lousy” performance last year.
That’s how Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) boss Sergio Marchionne described Jeep’s European sales, which grew just 2% to 107,569 cars in 2017 despite a recently refreshed line-up, spearheaded by the new Compass.
Now, the roll-out of the new Compass is soon to be complete, and it will be imminently joined by a revised version of the Jeep Cherokee and a Jeep Renegade this summer, ahead of the launch of the all-new Jeep Wrangler in Europe later this year as Jeep looks for Europe to help push it towards two million sales in the medium-term, up from just under 1.4m in 2017.
Jeff Hines, Jeeps’ new European boss, described last year’s sales in Europe as “disappointing”, which he put down to delays in getting the new Compass to market in one of the continent’s biggest segments. “For 2018 vs 2017, I expect a lot better,” he said, saying this year would be “the year of Jeep” in Europe.
He also believed that Jeep could “find space” to succeed in the UK, despite the presence of Land Rover. The role of dealers will be key to this, said Hines, who said Jeep had to find a way “to help communicate all these things in an easy to understand way”. He added: “That’s the biggest challenge for us,” in telling the firm’s potential customers about the brand’s new cars.
“What some customers may not realise is how the great dynamics and interior can make a Jeep a great daily driver that can fit all your needs,” said Hines, in reference to the fact the cars were often still viewed as utilitarian 4x4s.
The revised Renegade would be revealed on June 1 at the wider FCA presentation into the future of its brands, where Jeep’s targets and future model strategy will be outlined for its investors.
Jeep’s growth plans could also be harmed by a falling demand for diesel in Europe, but Hines believed the fuel still has a role in Europe and the firm was also now planning for hybrids, plans for which would be confirmed on June 1.
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Jeep's pricing is absurd. The
Jeep's pricing is absurd. The Renegade starts from £18,250, which is more than a little rich for a small SUV based loosely on the Fiat Punto. It's an error repeated across their range, with the Renegade and Compass being priced around £4,000 too high, and compounded by the Cherokee which, at £34,000, is LUDICROUSLY expensive for what it is.
@ haudit
You are quite right Haudit.
I just specced a Compass Limited for my wife on the Jeep website....not an excessive spec and it totalled £35k....the sort of money I would value a Grand Cherokee at.
Madness
Back in the turn of the century Jeeps were good value, now they are trying to sell these vehicles at mainstream prices. The game has moved on, buyers expect more polished product and now the market is crowded with offerings as the SUV market exploded.
As someone else posted, in the states Jeeps are for people who cant afford better, (Wrangler an exception), and they are really cheap to lease. Here they are trying to mix it with the Euro competition and it doesnt stack up.
I would see a compass or Renegade at Dacia Duster money.
older jeeps were friendlier
Moved from a 2001 V8 WJ to a 2014 CRD WK2 Grand Cherokee and am not pleased, especially in winter conditions. The plastic lower fascia will get damaged easily when pushed into snow, the windscreen wipers sit bellow the hot air vents and take forever to defrost, while the engine is so well insulated thermally that whatever ice remains on the bonnet after cleaning will just stay there for hours of driving. Add to that the impractical anchors in the luggage compartment which ca no longer be negociated with just one hand (like the old plastic carabiner system) and the constant warnings of dirt-covered sensors and the whole experience turns from ruling over any weather to managing the car.
Lousy
Sales are lousy and Jeeps are lousy.Common here in Canada for people who cannot afford better and are not concerned really about cars or quality.I really cannot recall ever driving a worse vehicle for crudeness,though a Defender 110 comes close.Awful quality, fuel consumption.They say "cheap and cheerful" but you wouldn't be cheerful for long.Even a base Toyota, though still crude, is "light years" ahead.