Jeep Vies for “Greenest SUV Brand” Recognition

An off-road-oriented vehicle may not be the poster child for the “greenest brand,” especially a rugged model powered by gasoline and marketed for outdoor adventures such as Jeep‘s Wrangler Rubicon 392.

However, in a unique marketing pivot, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ sub-brand proves how committed it is to becoming a more eco-conscious manufacturer by introducing a lineup of plug-in hybrid vehicles known as the “4xe.”

In a report published by Automotive News, Jeep’s Global President Christian Meunier was quoted saying he wants the brand to make its mark globally by being the world’s “greenest SUV brand.” Meunier made the comment during a presser held in Tokyo in October.

Meunier also shared the company’s strategy to achieve the goal, which includes identifying and taking advantage of synergies with the PSA Groupe of France, a company FCA will soon be merging with.

While Meunier did not detail the synergies he was referring to, those in the know would surmise he could be alluding to PSA’s commitment to developing a 100% electrified vehicle range by the year 2025.

“It’s very clear that Jeep will benefit a lot from the merger,” the executive said. “There is obviously a lot of potential between platforms, drivetrain, cost reduction, and things like that. There [are] a lot of potential opportunities for synergies and manufacturing footprint.”

Back in September, Jeep introduced its very first electrified vehicle for the North American market—the plug-in-hybrid version of the Jeep Wrangler 4xe. Through the off-roader, Jeep wants to go beyond simply meeting global emissions requirements.

“What is most important is to make our product the most capable and most exciting Jeep ever,” Meunier said. “Additional torque, driving in silence, with extra exceptional acceleration and torque—that’s the perfect fit. Jeep and electrification are meant to be together.”