The jeep plans to go from a gas-goozy SUV to a ‘green’ road f-road EV

DETROIT – America’s flagship SUV brand Jeep wants to lure new buyers and switch from gas ghazals to “green” electrified vehicles and maintain its road-to-road leadership among a crowd of new competitors.

Jeep is expected to be a key part of Jeep’s growth and electrification plans for its new parent company, Stalantis, formed earlier this year by the merger of Fiat Chrysler and French automaker group PSA.

The brand currently only has three plug-in hybrid electric vehicles available outside the US and the new PHEV of its flagship Wrangler SUV, a vehicle that will be sold globally, arriving at the domestic showroom during the spring. These vehicles are the beginning of the brand’s plans, said Jeep CEO Christian Munier.

“Our vision is to become the world’s greenest SUV brand,” he told CNBC. “We have very strong plans to deliver it through many exciting products in the pipeline.”

Munier said each new Jeep will offer some type of electrification. Those plans are expected to include all-electric vehicles as well as hybrids and PHEVs that combine electrification with internal combustion engines. These vehicles will be sold with the new “4xe” badge, which is a play on the brand’s off-road reputation with electrification.

On Monday, GP unveiled a new all-electric version of the Wrangler as a concept vehicle called the “Magneto”. It was months later that Grand Wagonier came up with the concept which was a PHEV. Oma Tomakers use concept vehicles to take into account the interest of the customer or to show the future direction of the vehicle or brand.

“It’s a durable, covert, rock-climbing force,” Jeep told North American Vice President Jim Morris at a media event for Magneto. “It’s a zero-emission concept vehicle that will take the Jeep to the next level with 4×4 capacity.”

Munier says getting a jeep is a task. But names and products cannot be changed overnight. It will take years to make the vision of the Jeep a reality.

“Jeep has lagged behind in electrification,” said Michelle Krebs, executive analyst at Cox elect Tomotive. “It’s a huge, ambitious leap to think they’re jumping on top of the neck. They have a lot of competition in that regard.”

Why does Jeep electrify after decades of producing gas-gossiping SUVs? It is being run around the world by tightening carbon emissions standards and fuel economy regulations. Jeep is also facing pressure from incoming rivals such as the EV start-up Revion and General Motors, which are reviving its Hummer Naplet as new-off-road, all-electric SUVs and pickups.

“Electrification is a great opportunity for us.” “It will open up some new dimensions as we move forward with it at full speed.”

U.P. Jeep is by far the best-selling brand for staplantis in electric and hybrid Jeeps will help the automaker meet the needs of the fuel economy. The company is spending billions globally on environmental regulatory credits to avoid heavy fines for failing to meet carbon emissions.

Given the regulatory benefits, Jeep officials say it is appropriate for outside brands to be more environmentally friendly. Electrification can also accelerate the performance of vehicles, especially in acceleration and some roadway capabilities.

“Jeep’s DNA is very ready for electrification,” Munier said. “By definition a brand is with nature.”

The Wrangler 4xe PHEV is one of a handful of new or redesigned vehicles for Jeep this year, most featuring traditional internal combustion engines.

Following the Wrangler 4xe at the dealership is the new three-row version of Jeep’s best-selling Grand Cherokee, as well as a redesigned version of the two-row SUV later this year, including the new PHEV version. Jeep’s long-awaited Wagonier and Grand Wagonier full-size SUVs are also expected to hit dealer showrooms in the second half of the year. It is also introducing a new V8 version of Wrangler.

The new products are expected to lead to “significant growth” for Jeep in UP, Munier said. “We have a very busy year,” he said. “It’s going to be the year of the Jeep,” the brand added to its 80th anniversary this year. Late last year GP rolled out special-edition vehicles to commemorate the milestone.

Munier’s confidence comes despite growing competition in crossovers and SUVs. Most notably, Ford Motor is reviving its Bronco SUV as a new “family” of vehicles, including a new crossover called the Bronco Sport, and more traditional SUV models coming later this year.

“We will see significant growth,” Munier said, citing steady growth focused on increasing profit margins as well as loyalty. “We’ll do it right.”