Stellantis Expands Lineup with New Citroen and Jeep Models

Quick Summary

• Stellantis plans to launch new petrol and electric models in India under its “affordable premium” SUV strategy priced between ₹10-25 lakh.
• The company will use the potential India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to import and test global models before localizing them for the Indian market.
• Stellantis does not plan to invest in India’s revised EV incentive policy for local manufacturing.
• Stellantis currently manufactures Citroen cars in Tamil Nadu and Jeep vehicles in Maharashtra through partnerships, exporting some models to countries like Indonesia, South Africa, and Malaysia.
• In 2022, Stellantis sold 7,500 units in India as it continued scaling operations following Fiat brand discontinuation.
• MD & CEO Shailesh Hazela described the indian market as “very complex” but expressed optimism about long-term growth opportunities.

!jeep-meridian

Indian Opinion Analysis
Stellantis’s approach highlights an emphasis on strategic growth while navigating challenges unique to India’s automotive sector. the potential impact of an India-EU FTA could be significant by enabling faster integration of global technologies within the domestic market while boosting exports of localized components and vehicles abroad-benefiting both parties economically. However, its reluctance toward India’s revised EV incentives may signal caution regarding high capital expenditures or regulatory uncertainties around EVs-a segment rapidly growing but still nascent domestically.

The company’s focus on mid-range SUVs aligns with consumer trends in India’s competitive automobile landscape but reflects cautious optimism amid its relatively low sales volumes so far. Success might hinge on building stronger brand trust locally while leveraging export potential from existing facilities efficiently.

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