Right-Hand Drive Jeep Compass Exports Commence From India

The Jeep Compass is changing fortunes for FCA India, one day at a time and the locally made model is all set to grace international roads as well. The American automaker announced that it has commenced exporting right-hand drive (RHD) units of the Jeep Compass overseas. The first batch comprising 600 units have been shipped to Australia and Japan from the Bombay Port Trust facility, with 65 per cent of local content going into the SUV. Exports for the RHD Compass start about three months after the model was launched in the country. India is the global manufacturing hub the RHD Compass units, which are produced at the automaker's Ranjangaon facility.

Also Read: Jeep Compass Review

(The export-ready Jeep Compass SUVs gets 65 per cent of local content)

Commenting on beginning of exports, Fiat India Automobiles - Chief Executive Officeer, Gurpratap Boparai said, "Our resolve has been to ensure timely delivery of a world class product, made in India, to Indian as well as our International customers. We had planned to start shipping the India-made Jeep Compass in the fourth quarter of this calendar year and we are on track. Soon, our Made-in-India Jeep Compass will be seen on the roads in Australia and Japan, our first two right-hand drive export destinations. This is indeed a historic milestone for all of us at FIAPL."

(The Jeep Compass is powered by a 1.4-litre petrol and 2-litre diesel engine options)

FCA India - President and MD, Kevin Flynn said, "The Jeep Compass has gained impressive traction in India since the price announcement and we are enjoying continued momentum with growing interest as the Compass is now being regularly seen on Indian roads. Our effort and intent has been to pace up our retail deliveries after the market launch, in time for the festive season, without losing sight of our exports for this year. We have added five more sales and service outlets since July taking our distribution reach now up to 55; closing this year with 60, as committed. We are looking forward to a strong 2018 when production will be at full pace delivering on target domestic and export numbers."

Also Read: Jeep Compass Petrol Automatic Starts Arriving At Dealerships

Unveiled last year globally, FCA had announced then that the right-hand drive units of the Jeep Compass will be produced and exported from India, in a bid to achieve higher economies of scale. The automaker also announced an investment of $280 million towards production as a result. The Jeep Compass was launched in the country in July this year powered by a 1.4-litre petrol and a 2-litre diesel engines.

(The Compass petrol automatic uses a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission)

While the 6-speed manual variants have been available for a while, the manufacturer has now started deliveries of the Compass petrol automatic with a 7-speed automatic transmission. The Jeep Compass diesel automatic is expected sometime next year.

The Compass SUV is borrows its design cues from the Cherokee while the model's feature list is long and includes 50 different safety features alone. The SUV has been appreciated for its competitive pricing starting Rs. 15.16 lakh for the base petrol Sport, going up to Rs. 21.37 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom Delhi) for the Limited 4x4 (O) diesel. Jeep India also offers the SUV with over 3 year/1 lakh km warrranty and a service cycle of 15,000 km per year.