- Fiat-Sollers auto alliance plans to launch the production of Jeeps in Russia.
- Jeep will account for 30 percent of the plant's annual 500,000 units.
- Jeep Compass and Patriot are included in the manufacturing plan.
MOSCOW — The recently established $3.3 billion Fiat-Sollers auto alliance plans to launch the production of Jeep SUVs in Russia.
According to Russian media reports, the new models will be launched at the Fiat-Sollers plant in the city of Naberezhnye Chelny, about 600 miles east of Moscow, where they will account for more than 30 percent of the plant's total annual capacity of 500,000 units.
Russian analysts believe that the new Jeep SUVs will not compete with Korean Ssangyong SUVs already being assembled by Sollers, due to their position in different price categories.
A source close to the project said that the company will launch the production of low-cost and compact Jeep models, which are currently in great demand in Russia, such as the Jeep Compass and Patriot. These models are equipped with gas and diesel 2.0- and 2.4-liter engines.
The move to build Jeeps in Russia has been talked about for several months. Last November, when Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne met with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Marchionne confirmed Fiat planned to start producing SUVs in Russia.
Inside Line says: Internationalization continues for Fiat and Chrysler. — Evgeniy Vorotnikov, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
matt1320 says:
01:25 PM, 03/12/2010
Too bad for them. They're going to get two of the lamest "Jeeps" ever made.
stephen987 says:
11:38 AM, 03/12/2010
The Compass should do very well. The interior quality is decidedly better than a '70s-vintage Lada.