Chrysler delays Jeep's India launch

American auto manufacturer, Chrysler has put the launch of its Jeep brand in India on hold for the moment. The company has taken this decision citing a sluggish market.

A part of Fiat SpA, the Chrysler LLC Group had earlier hinted that Jeep's SUVs would be introduced in India by the end of 2013. However, with car sales taking a battering in the current fiscal, the company is reassessing its strategy for the country.

While there is no date provided, Chrysler claims that Jeep remains committed to the Indian market and will launch its vehicles when market conditions are more conducive.

Jeep’s range for India includes the Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee, which it planned to import as CBUs initially and later start assembling them locally in order to gain tax benefits. This would, in turn, enable the company to price them competitively against SUVs from other luxury SUV brands like Land Rover, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Source: India Realtime