First Jeep Compass rolls offs assembly line in India

Jun. 15, 2017 – Jeep Compass, the first locally-produced sport-utility vehicle (SUV) of Fiat India Automobiles Private Limited (FIAPL) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), officially rolled off the assembly line this month at the company’s Ranjangaon plant.

The start of production sees India joining China, Brazil and Mexico as a manufacturing and export hub for the Jeep Compass. The automaker says Ranjangaon will be the sole export facility for right-hand-drive (RHD) markets across the globe.

“The establishment of manufacturing operations and start of production of the Jeep Compass is an important milestone for our journey in India,” said Paul Alcala, FCA COO of the APAC region, non-China. “The Compass will be the first ‘Made in India’ Jeep vehicle, and we are appreciative of the Government’s efforts to make India a desirable manufacturing destination for multi-national organizations, such as ours. With the start of production and an investment of US$280 million in the Jeep Compass localization, we are reaffirming our commitment to Indian consumers and our long-term presence in the country.”
 
The plant implements World Class Manufacturing (WCM), a production system that focuses on eliminating waste, increasing productivity and improving quality and safety in a systematic and organized way, describes FCA. As well, plant employees are engaged to provide and implement suggestions on how to improve their jobs and their facilities.
 
“To be part of the development of Jeep Compass and witness its roll out for the first time brings us a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction,” said Gurpratap Boparai, CEO of FIAPL. “The build quality we have achieved in the development stage of the Compass is truly world class and is an example of superior technological and manufacturing excellence. We are immensely proud that Indian customers can soon own a locally-made Jeep SUV that is built to the highest quality standards.”
 
The Jeep Compass will be in full production in July and vehicles are expected to arrive at Indian dealerships during the third quarter of 2017 in three variants: Sport, Longitude and Limited. Shipping for RHD markets outside India will start in the last quarter of 2017.