Jeep is not going to give up SUVs, even if they try to “ban” them

The head of the European division of Jeep Eric Laforge noted that the brand is not considering the option of switching to compact models.

The American brand Jeep, part of the auto giant Stellantis, is known as a manufacturer of SUVs and crossovers, including in the old-world market. Note that today the European model line includes Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, Renegade and Avenger, and the last of these is the entry-level model with the most modest dimensions. So, its length is 4084 mm, width – 1776 mm, height – 1528 mm; the distance between the axles is 2557 mm.

In the photo: Jeep Avenger e-Hybrid

In February, it became known that the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, was proposing to “remove” SUV cars from the streets of the French capital; to do this, she proposed tripling the parking fee for owners of such cars. This initiative did not pass by the head of Jeep Europe, Eric LaForge, who believes that customers will not give up crossovers and SUVs, even if politicians try to “ban” them. He also noted that in Paris only 3% of the population took part in the referendum on the issue raised.

< p>“Which is better, an Avenger e-Hybrid in the center of Paris or a large E-Class sedan that continues to wreak havoc on the planet?” – comments the head of the European division of Jeep. “I think SUVs still have a bright future because customers will continue to need them.”

As reported by British Autocar  citing Eric LaForge, Jeep does not feel its position as an SUV-only brand is being threatened, despite «calls from industry leaders to move toward developing and producing smaller vehicles.»

In the photo: interior of the Jeep Avenger e-Hybrid

Recall that earlier the CEO of the Renault group, Luca de Meo, spoke about his version of the development of the European automotive industry for the next decade. One of the main directions is the “mass development of compact cars,” while he proposes to be inspired by the kei cars common in Japan.

Eric LaForge also recalled that Jeep is currently in the process of “greening”. Moreover, he emphasized that the plans for the development and launch of new models on the European market, in fact, were not affected by the recently constantly changing “rules of the game”, including the decision of the British government to postpone the ban on the production and sale of new cars with internal combustion engines.

Previously, some global automakers have already changed plans due to the crisis in demand for electric vehicles. So, last year, the German concern Volkswagen had to temporarily shut down its factories due to weak demand for “green” models. The Japanese corporation Toyota was not pleased with the sales results of electric trains either, after which management promised to continue developing new internal combustion engines. In addition, over the next decade, the French brand Renault plans to produce cars with internal combustion engines, and Mercedes-Benz decided to postpone full electrification and continue updating models with internal combustion engines.