Jeep - the American automaker mostly associated for its open top 'go anywhere' cross country vehicles - is poised to undergo a major overhaul that will boost its image and brand awareness on a global scale. Starting with an expanded product range expanding from the current four to at least six by 2016 via a multibillion-dollar investment is expected to tie the fortunes of Jeep and parent company Chrysler even more closely with Fiat, according to Reuters.
To assist Jeep's global growth, almost every future Jeep model, excluding the Wrangler, will share platform and key components with Fiat and its subsidaries - Alfa Romeo and Maserati.
Fiat's current CEO, Sergio Marchionne, is pushing for greater integration between Fiat and Chrysler and the added interest on Jeep is reaping benefits. Jeep's sales in its home market through November this year are up nearly 16 percent, with global sales to reach a new high since the recorded best of 675,000 vehicles in 1999.
As part of the overhaul package, Fiat is expected to pump some $1.3 billion (S$1.59 billion) to build smaller Jeep models along Fiat badged siblings in 2014. The twin vehicles will share components like the chassis and engine, and will be exported from Fiat's Melfi plant to markets around the world.
