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Stellantis plans China-made Jeep model for Europe by 2030
Dongfeng will jointly produce the large sport utility vehicle at its Wuhan facility
Key Takeaways:
- Stellantis plans to sell a new Jeep SUV in Europe by 2030, jointly produced with Dongfeng Motor Corp. in Wuhan, China.
- The move deepens Stellantis’ renewed China strategy after former CEO Carlos Tavares suggested ending manufacturing there in 2022.
- Jeep plans six models in Europe by decade’s end, including an all-electric Recon next year, while Wrangler remains discontinued there.
Stellantis NV plans to start selling a new Jeep model in Europe by 2030 that will be made in China, deepening the carmaker’s work with a partner at one of its core brands.
Stellantis and Dongfeng Motor Corp. will jointly produce the large sport utility vehicle, which will be launched alongside other new models carrying the iconic name, Fabio Catone, head of Jeep in Europe, said on a media call. Stellantis will have six Jeep models available in the region by the end of the decade, compared with two now, he said.
The new venture continues the group’s reversal of a pullback from China under former CEO Carlos Tavares, who blindsided Dongfeng in 2022 by suggesting Stellantis could end manufacturing in the world’s biggest car market.
Current CEO Antonio Filosa recently revived the alliance, and the new Jeep SUV will be manufactured at Dongfeng’s facility in Wuhan. The partners also are setting up a venture that will allow the state-backed Chinese company to manufacture its own vehicles at a Stellantis plant in France.
Together with the Ram, Peugeot and Fiat brands, Jeep is one of four brands Stellantis has said it will prioritize in its investment plans. It is the group’s only truly global badge and considered critical for the success of an ongoing turnaround effort.
As well as Dongfeng, Stellantis is ramping up cooperation with Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co., underscoring how Western automakers are increasingly relying on Chinese manufacturing, technology and supply chains to stay competitive.
Stellantis has sold about 280,000 Jeep Avengers in Europe since 2023. It also sells the Compass model in the region and will introduce an all-electric Recon there next year.
The company has no plans for now to bring back the Wrangler after the model was discontinued in Europe due to strict emissions rules, Catone said.
Stellantis has long touted Jeep as the quintessential American vehicle. Asked about the risk that customers may be put off by a Chinese-made version, Catone said: “Jeep is a US brand, certainly, but it’s also a global one.”
“We are super satisfied with what we are seeing take shape,” he added. “It’s a real Jeep on all counts.”
