The company will spend $280 million on the joint-venture project, which involves Indian automaker Tata Motors Limited. The funds will be used to establish a Jeep production line at Fiat-Tata’s existing factory in Ranjangaon.
“Today marks an important step as we continue to expand the availability of Jeep products around the world,” said FCA chief Sergio Marchionne. “Establishing Jeep production in India will give us the opportunity to offer even more people the chance to experience the freedom and adventure that can come from behind the wheel of a Jeep vehicle.”
Chrysler began building a Jeep sales network in India late in 2013, however the company later stalled the plans until 2015. The Wrangler and Cherokee are expected to be the first models to arrive in the market, and the Renegade is viewed as another potential candidate.
The company has not specified which model will roll off the Ranjangaon assembly lines, though production is promised to begin in the second quarter of 2017. Ranjangaon will be the fourth plant outside the US to build Jeep vehicles, following Italy and Brazil. The company also plans to establish a manufacturing presence in China by the fourth quarter of this year.
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