Like other European markets , now it's time for the Jeep brand to be represented by FCA Portugal. A process that started in 2015 and ended today, September 8, with the official transfer of the Jeep representation to FCA Portugal.
Jeep thus abandons the Bergé Group's portfolio, which owns brands such as Kia and Isuzu in Portugal, thus joining the other brands that make up the FCA universe in Europe: Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Abarth, Fiat Professional and Mopar.
On the other side of the Atlantic there are, as we well know, other brands…
new ambitions
Artur Fernandes, Managing Director of FCA Portugal believes that Jeep may come to represent between 15% and 20% of the turnover – which corresponds to around 10% of the total vehicles sold by this group.To reach these numbers were invested over 6 million euros in new points of sale and after-sales, thus offering a strong national coverage, both on the mainland and on the islands. In total, the Dealership network inaugurated today comprises 15 points of sale and 18 after-sales points.
This investment is supported by market indicators. The segment in which Jeep products are inserted is proving to be one of the most vibrant in the national market – similarly to what happens in Europe. In Portugal, the SUV segment grew in 2016 by a total of 32%, in a market that grew 16% in the same year. Currently, SUV's represent roughly 20% of the total national market for light passenger vehicles.
premium positioning
Jeep will share with Alfa Romeo the premium spaces. It was in this sense that exclusive showrooms were created with a careful image that aim to convey the brand's values – freedom, adventure, authenticity, passion – present in every detail of the 3,000m2 of exhibition areas.
FCA?
FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobile) is an Italian-American industrial group formed in 2014, after the incorporation of the Chrysler Group (Chrysler, Jeep, RAM and Dodge) by Fiat.
Training was also one of the fundamental pillars of the new network. Sales and after-sales teams were formed from scratch, as well as new specific business processes were implemented for Jeep, thus guaranteeing excellent customer service.
The first "weight" booster
In addition to the Jeep Renegade, which competes in the market with models such as the Mazda CX-3, Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008, the arrival of the new Jeep Compass (first contact here) at the end of October will be an important asset for the brand in Portugal.
Remember that in the 4×2 version, the Jeep Compass is Class 1 at tolls.