Jeep is currently on a back foot in the Indian market in terms of sales performance and model line-up. The American off-road focused brand is planning to keep things afresh by introducing frequent mode updates to its current line-up that includes the Compass, Meridian, Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee.
- Updates to Compass and Meridian will be mainly cosmetic
- Citroen line-up already getting frequent updates
- Local R&D put to use for frequent product refreshes
In India, Jeep manufactures the Compass and Meridian, which are aimed at mainstream buyers. Their sales have been dismal for quite some time, with the monthly average in FY2024 being 280 and 175 units, respectively.
To get more footfalls at its outlets and increase sales, Jeep India will introduce the updated Compass next month. Moreover, the Meridian has also been slated for a refresh and will go on sale in October, right before Diwali. Earlier, the brand had teased the facelift for the Meridian and confirmed that it will be launched this year.
Shailesh Hazela, the MD and CEO of Stellantis India, confirmed the said development. The Netherlands-based Stellantis owns 14 automotive brands, including Jeep, Chrysler, Citroen, Fiat and Maserati. “You will have [updated] models starting next month with Compass. We will have Meridian 2.0 in October,” Hazela stated.
He added that Jeep India will introduce frequent updates to its line-up, keeping market preferences in mind. “We have learned that the Indian market needs freshness frequently. Unlike the product action seen in 18-24 months in European markets, in India, we need to introduce freshness every six months.”
The more frequent updates to its line-up will be done via Stellantis’ local R&D network, the global auto giant is working on several interventions of the existing models to stake a claim in a highly competitive Indian passenger vehicle market.
Besides Jeep, the Citroen will also get frequent updates to its range. The C3 Aircross, which was launched not even a year ago, received upgrades recently. Hazela assured that Stellantis will keep bringing upgrades and updates on its models, even the future ones, to ensure they remain relevant to the market’s changing needs. The company also added the option of an automatic transmission to its C3 SUV and will soon announce its prices.
What community is saying on the Compass?
While Citroen-branded models are very attractive in the market due to their frugal engineering, the cars are considered under-equipped in features and tech, which Hazela is keen on addressing.
With inputs from Prerna Lidhoo
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Suraj Viswanathan
