- Expected: Late 2010
- Expected Price Bracket: Rs. 35-lakh to 50-lakh
- Engines: 3.7-litre V6 Petrol, 3.0-litre V6 Diesel
- Rivals: Mitsubishi Montero, BMW X3, Audi Q5, Land Rover Freelander2
The Tata-FIAT JV may soon benefit from FIAT Italy’s 20% shareholding in the crippling Chrysler brand. If the events turn out as expected, then the JV’s Ranjangaon factory may well start assembling the Jeep Grand Cherokee to take on rivals like the Mitsubishi Montero, BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Tata’s own Land Rover Freelander2. The alliance will import the entire Cherokke line-up, from the entry level model to the full-blown 4×4, via the CBU route, with the final assembly and PDI being taken care of at Ranjangaon factory.
Tata-FIAT has further plans of slowly trickling in the rest of the Chrysler products as well, since the JV as well as FIAT Italy considers India to be one of the most lucrative markets in the world. FIAT Italy is also aiming at increasing its stake in Chrysler from 20% to 51%. This move will help the Italian carmaker establish firm roots into the American market, while Chrysler will gain access to the smaller, fuel-efficient engines from FIAT. This move may spawn a new range of Chrysler cars that are less hungry for fuel and comparable to other fuel efficient city cars. The Tata-FIAT alliance may again benefit from this as these entry level city slickers may find a healthy market in India as well. As for the Cherokee, it will have a tough task cut for itself with established rivals to take on.
