Jeep PH will start importing vehicles from China, except the Wrangler

Updated Dec 24, 2021 | Same topic: Automotive Industry Updates

We’ll now be getting our Jeep models from the China-based GAC-FCA.

Fiat Chrysler Mobiles, or FCA, is one of the largest car manufacturers in the world. Currently, it owns Ram Trucks, Lancia, Maserati, Fiat, Dodge, Alfa Romeo, and Abarth.

Jeep® | “Groundhog Day” | Bill Murray + Bushy-Tailed Buddy’s Off Script & Off Road Adventures Cut

And of course, FCA also owns the Jeep brand. Note also that FCA is operating in four major global markets; North America, Latin America, the Asia Pacific, which includes the Philippines, and the European-Middle East region.

Despite this, FCA’s sales since 2019, has been experiencing a sales slump.

GAC-FCA to import Jeep vehicles to the Philippines

Amid the said sales slump, FCA, together with its Chinese partner, GAC Motor Co., had begun exporting Jeep vehicles to the Philippines since January 17, 2020.

This venture excludes the Jeep Wrangler, and only involves the Cherokee, Compass, Grand Cherokee, and Renegade.

To this end, we can assume that the Jeep Wrangler currently being imported into the country is still sourced from the Toledo South Assembly Plant in Ohio.

A picture of the Jeep Wrangler in the Grand Canyon

The Jeep Wrangler will still be sourced from the USA

As for the GAC-FCA sourced vehicles, these will be built in plants located in Changsha and Guangzhou. The importation of Jeep Philippines from the GAC-FCA joint venture also improves the utilization of the company’s factory capacity.

As of March 31, the joint venture already delivered a total of 527 Compass and Renegade units to the Philippines, according to a report by Reuters.

>>> Related: Jeep updated-price in the Philippines

>>> Related: Jeep Wrangler 2021 price Philippines

The GAC-FCA partnership

The GAC-FCA Co., Ltd. is a 50:50 joint venture between Fiat Chrysler and the GAC Group headquartered in Changsha China. Founded in 2010, this company now has two factories with total annual manufacturing capacity for 328,000 units.

These include four Jeep models: the Compass, the Renegade, the Grand Cherokee (a.k.a. the Grand Commander), and the Cherokee.

A picture of the GAC-FCA joint venture logo

Recently, the FCA also bailed owned this joint venture with a 1-billion Yuan loan

GAC-FCA’s main product is locally made, except the Wrangler which the company still imports for the Chinese market. After production peaked at 222,337 back in 2017, the company’s sales have been stuck in a downtrend.

For the first quarter of 2019, GAC-FCA products have gone down by 66 percent. This is according to data released by GAC, a state-owned company and the FCA’s partner in the aforementioned joint venture.

Last year, sales for the joint venture went down 41 percent.

A picture of the Jeep Renegade near some city structures

The smallest Jeep; the Renegade, is one of the vehicles Jeep PH is importing from China

Will these expansions in exports save the GAC-FCA joint venture? Will it mean more Jeep products and possibly even cheaper Jeep models here in the Philippines? Maybe, maybe not.

For more automotive news, keep reading here on Philkotse.com.

Know more about Jeep Wrangler 2024

Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler 2023 is an off-roader SUV that is considered one of the most iconic in its market, with the 2-door as a compact SUV and the 4-door as a midsize. Jeep Philippines is offering this model with three variants. These are the Unlimited Sahara, Rubicon, and Unlimited Rubicon priced at Php 5,290,000, Php 5,490,000, and Php 5,690,000 respectively.

Powering the Wrangler is a 2.0-liter inline-4 DOHC DI Turbo Engine with an Electronic Start Stop (ESS) function, making 268 hp and 400 Nm of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission is connected to the engine as standard.

Dimensions-wise, the Wrangler is 4,785 mm long, 1,874.52 mm wide, and 1,869 mm high. This American SUV is competing against the likes of the Land Rover Defender and Toyota FJ Cruiser in the local market.

₱ 5,290,000 - ₱ 5,690,000

Explore
Cesar G.B. Miguel

Cesar G.B. Miguel

Author

Cesar Guiderone B. Miguel was born and raised in Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte. He graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in English degree from Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology. He previously worked as a freelance writer for various websites, as a member of the Iligan City Disaster Risk Reduction Management's training staff, and as a medical sales representative.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goridus.goridus

View more