Fiat Group Auto’s revived Jeep brand will target user-choosers and contract hire customers with its new two- and four-wheel-drive Cherokee, before tackling Motability when the Range Rover Evoque-sized Renegade comes to market early next year.
Admitting that the American brand had been “some way behind on fleet”, Steve Zanlunghi, managing director of FGA UK, said: “We never had a serious fleet presence, largely due to lacking competitive diesels. With a two-wheel drive, 140hp Cherokee offering a 139g/km CO2 rating and 24% BIK we can enter user-chooser and contract hire territories.”
A new fleet director, operating across Fiat, Chrysler and Jeep brands, which attract an average 38% corporate factor, will be announced soon by FGA commercial director Karl Howkins.
Before pricing and positioning the new £25,495-£36,000 Cherokee range, FGA consulted valuation specialist Cap and is claiming a 40% RV after three years and 60,000 miles, placing it third behind BMW’s X3 and Audi’s Q5, but ahead of Land Rover’s Freelander.
Zanlunghi added: “The smaller Renegade, up against Evoque, BMW X1 and Audi Q3 plus mainstream rivals, promises a major fleet opportunity. With prices from below £25,000 and two- plus four-wheel-drive variants, channels like Motability are open for the first time.”
