Jeep Meridian Facelift

Jeep is an automobile brand that has produced vehicles with not only rough and tough looks but amazing off-road capabilities. But one question that concerns Indian buyers is why Jeep Cars are expensive in the domestic market. This blog will talk about the main reasons that make Jeep cars expensive. 1. Brand Positioning  Jeep, on a global level, positions itself as adventurous, free-spirited and tough. This strong brand recognition makes the Jeep brand itself a premium automobile company in the Indian market, charging a premium price as compared to other brands. It also has to do with the love Indians have for SUVs and the road presence they command. 2. Advanced Technology and Features For years, Jeep’s lineup of cars has been known for its high-tech and modern offerings, stylish designs and solid build quality. From the super intuitive touchscreen infotainment systems to crucial safety features, Jeep vehicles are a cut above the rest and worth the extra money. As a result, importing and integrating these technologies adds up to the cost of Jeep cars in India.  Read Also: Top 3 Upcoming Technology in Cars in India 3. Exceptional Performance and Off-road Capability   Jeep cars are built tough to tackle all kinds of terrains, in the aspect of strength, superior four-wheel-drive systems and high ground clearance. However, such excellent performance and off-road capabilities do not come cheap as the technology and materials used to develop such features increase the production costs and hence the retail price in India, leading to an increase in car prices. All cars in the Jeep stable come with a four-wheel drive option in India. 4. Limited Number of Showrooms and Service Centres   While mass-market manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai have a vast network of dealerships and service centres spread across the length and breadth of the country, Jeep is comparatively a newcomer in the automotive market. It is this exclusivity of owning a Jeep comes with a big price tag, as consumers are willing to spend more for this dream vehicle brand. 5. Premium Brand Experience  The US car brand uses social media at its best in advertising offroading trails, uniting Jeep owners India-wide. This gives the impression of Jeep being a premium brand. Besides, having a Jeep is not only having the automobile itself, but it also includes all the perks that come with it. From individual approaches to customer support service to special events and opportunities, Jeep owners get a taste of the luxury and status that they have to pay for.  6. Customisation Options Jeep has come up with many choices that enable the buyer to customize the car to his or her choice and desire. For instance, the Jeep Wrangler SUV can be customised heavily with offroading doors, roof and water-wading accessories. Although this level of personalisation enhances the ownership experience it also has its costs which in turn affects the price of Jeep cars in India.  7. Limited Production Capacity In comparison to other brands, Jeep has a relatively low production output for its cars which means that sometimes it may not be in a position to meet the demand and supply its cars to the market. This helps Jeep to price its vehicles high to make the cars less affordable to many people and in the process control the demand of its cars. Jeep manufactures its cars from its three plants and has 84 showrooms spread across 75 cities.  8. Resale Value and Brand Equity  Nonetheless, Jeep cars are quite expensive when bought brand new but they retain their market value when resold. This may be one reason why you may consider the high upfront cost initially as it would be recovered later. The company has cultivated a good image of the brand as a reliable and durable car, which positively influences the car’s resale value and makes Jeep a good investment for the future.  Read Also: Buying a New Car: What to Watch Out For Frequently Asked Questions Why are Jeeps more expensive than other brands in India? Jeep cars are expensive for a variety of reasons: brand value, customisation options and limited production capacity.  Is Jeep successful in India? According to reports on the web, Jeep sells over 500 units per month in India. However, the brand is working on cost-effective measures to bring down costs. What makes Jeep cars so special? Jeep ensures to make extremely durable and rugged cars and has expertise in building off road-capable vehicles. This leads to Jeep enjoying a niche audience of car buyers.  

In a recently published document, Jeep's parent company, Stellantis, and the United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) gave the world a peek into what's coming for some of the company's American-made cars, like the Wrangler. At present, the Jeep Wrangler lineup includes a plug-in hybrid called the 4xe. As for the upcoming model, it will get plug-in hybrid systems in 2025, however, will be phased out gradually in 2028, the document revealed. Next-Gen Jeep Wrangler: Expected to Bring Two Powertrains Codenamed J70, the new Jeep Wrangler, set to start production in 2028, will have two engine choices – an electric one (BEV) and another with extended range. This marks a significant change for the American off-road vehicle, the most notable since it first went global in the 1980s. BEV stands for battery electric vehicle, whereas REPB (Range Electric Paradigm Breaker) is the pompous way of saying that a combustion engine will be used as a generator. The REPB powertrain will debut in the Ram 1500 (a pickup truck based on the STLA Frame platform) shortly, which is also expected to underpin the new Wrangler EV. Next-Gen Jeep Wrangler: Power of its STLA Platform Part of a new family of EV architectures being applied to all Stellantis products from next year, this body-on-frame platform will major in payload and towing capabilities. For instance, its 1500 REV claims a 1,224kg payload and a 6,350kg towing capacity. The STLA Frame can also accommodate vast batteries to cope with the traditionally high mileage and heavy workloads of commercial vehicles. Next-Gen Jeep Wrangler: Battery Details The 1500 REV will be offered with two long-range electric powertrains, with 168kWh and 229kWh batteries delivering about 560km and 800km between charges. Jeep has also hinted at what to expect from an electric Wrangler several times, most recently with the Magneto 3.0 concept, which is a Wrangler-based off-roader. It has the capability to deliver 647 bhp of power and 1220 Nm from a bespoke axial-flux motor, mated with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Next-Gen Jeep Wrangler: What More to Expect? Before the electric Wrangler hits the scene, Jeep is also gearing up to introduce an electric off-roader called the Recon SUV. Revealed a year ago, Jeep now confirms that the Recon will run on Stellantis' special STLA Large electric platform. This rugged vehicle will feature Jeep Selec-Terrain traction management, under-body protection, an e-locker axle, sturdy off-road tires, and tow hooks. Besides, it will have removable doors and a power top, providing a wide opening for a partly open-air driving experience. Read Also: Most Anticipated BMW Cars of 2024

The American car manufacturer Jeep is struggling big time in the Indian market. The company's two mass market SUVs, the Compass and Meridian, failed to generate volumes for the brand. In order to improve sales, Jeep is planning to introduce the facelifted versions of the Compass and Meridian in the next few months.  The Jeep Compass facelift is most likely to arrive in September 2024. On the other hand, the Meridian facelift will be launched in our market in October that's before Diwali. Jeep has decided to give more frequent updates to its model line-up to lure more customers to dealerships. Stellantis' local R&D network will play an important role in applying more frequent updates to Jeep's line-up.  The average monthly sales of the Jeep Compass in 2024 has dropped to just 280 units, which is significantly low when compared to the market size. Similarly, the Meridian's average monthly sales stands at only 175 units per month. By giving an upgrade, Jeep hopes to improve its sales during the festive season.  The Jeep Compass facelift will continue to be offered with a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine with manual and automatic gearbox options. This engine produces 170bhp and 350Nm of torque. The Jeep Meridian also gets the same powertrain with a 9-speed automatic gearbox and AWD setup.  Jeep is actively looking at introducing more affordable products in the Indian and select international markets. Previous media reports reveal that the American brand is considering an all-new compact SUV, which will be priced between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 20 lakh. It will be positioned below the Compass and will come as a premium alternative to Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Hyryder and others.  The big news is that the Jeep could use Stellantis CMP or Common Modular Platform that underpins the Citroen C3, Basalt and C3 Aircross. These models are front-wheel-drive cars; however, Jeep's SUV will utilise the heavily modified CMP architecture to offer AWD or 4x4 drivetrain. Also See - Mahindra Thar Roxx - 10 Interesting Facts

We reported earlier that Jeep is preparing multiple new models including the next-gen Compass. However, the new Compass is not likely to arrive in our market. In fact, Jeep is evaluating a new entry-level midsize SUV for the Indian market. The new model will cost under Rs 20 lakh and will challenge the likes of the Tata Curvv, Hyundai Creta and others in the mid size SUV category.  The big update is that Jeep could utilise Stellantis' CMP or common modular platform that underpins the Citroen C3, Basalt and C3 Aircross. These are front-wheel-drive cars; however, the Jeep's midsize SUV will retain the Jeep DNA. The new mid size SUV is likely to come with AWD or 4x4 drivetrain, which will make it a unique offering in the market.  For people not in the know, the Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder also come with Suzuki's AWD setup. However, the Jeep mid-sized SUV will have off-road capabilities and is likely to be offered as a premium model. The new Jeep SUV is expected to be a global model and is expected to hit select international markets including Brazil and Europe.  The American automaker is also working on the next-gen Jeep Renegade, which will also receive a battery electric model. It is expected that the next Renegade will be a low-cost offering and could be based on the heavily modified Citroen's CMP platform. The platform will be tweaked to accommodate 4x4 drivetrain. The ICE version of the next-gen Jeep Renegade is likely to be powered by a more sophisticated EP5DT 1.6-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol engine. This engine comes with multiple power outputs such as 150hp and 180hp. There is a possibility, the SUV could receive a higher-spec 180hp version of the engine. Also See - MG Windsor EV - Answer To All Your Queries Source - AutoCarIndia