Confirmed: Chrysler's first small SUV

Jeep remains on track to release its first small crossover next year, if an official reference to the Chrysler Group’s “first ever” B-segment SUV, buried deep within the company’s initial public share offering (IPO), is any guide.

“In 2014, we expect to launch our first ever sport utility vehicle, or SUV, in the small vehicle market, or B-segment…,” said Chrysler in its IPO filing this week.

Chrysler does not state which of its brands will market the small SUV, but it’s almost certain to be the all-new compact Jeep crossover that’s expected to be built by sister company Fiat in Italy from 2014, when it’s due to replace both the mid-size Compass and Patriot SUVs.

As we reported in July, when Jeep CEO Mike Manley said it will be about 400mm shorter overall than the upcoming Cherokee at 4.2 metres long, the as-yet-unnamed model is yet to be confirmed for right-hand drive.

However, the compact SUV segment is booming globally, including in Australia, where GM Holden has just launched its Barina-based Trax and Ford will in December release is Fiesta-based EcoSport, which will be sold in 62 countries by 2017 – but not the US.

Chrysler has confirmed its first small SUV will be its third model based on a platform jointly developed with Fiat, following the small Dodge Dart sedan and new Cherokee.

“The Fiat-Chrysler Alliance provides us access to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles and technologies for vehicle segments where we have been historically underrepresented,” said Chrysler in its IPO filing.

“Under the Fiat-Chrysler Alliance, we launched our first ever mini and small car segment vehicles with the Fiat 500 and the all-new 500L in 2011 and 2013, respectively. We re-entered the compact sedan segment with the launch of the Dodge Dart in 2012 and we are now launching the all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee, both of which are based on the Compact US Wide, or CUSW, platform that we co-developed with Fiat and based on a Fiat platform.

“In 2014, we expect to launch our first ever sport utility vehicle, or SUV, in the small vehicle market, or B-segment, which will also be based on a jointly-developed platform, which we call the Small Wide platform.

“We have moved rapidly to operationally integrate our respective companies in order to capitalize on the considerable potential the Fiat-Chrysler Alliance creates.”

While the Dodge Dart will not be sold in Australia, Jeep’s new Cherokee – which motoring.com.au will drive at its international launch in the US this week -- remains on target for launch here in the first quarter of next year.

This is despite the fact no new Cherokee vehicles have yet been shipped to US dealers and that a second shift of 500 workers tasked to build it in Toledo, Ohio have been temporarily laid off.

Jeep said it commenced Cherokee production in late June and by the end of last month had produced 9430 vehicles, which was enough to stock its US dealer network.

However, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne previously stated the Cherokee’s release would be delayed due to a problem with its new nine-speed automatic transmission and Jeep says a software fix needs to be applied to all models before they are delivered to customers.

Chrysler’s IPO, which marks the first time that Chrysler shares have been publicly traded since the company merged with Daimler in 1998, could help Fiat acquire the 41.5 per cent stake that currently belongs to the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits (VEBA) Trust.

Fiat currently owns 58.5 per cent of Chrysler and has steadily increased its stake since taking an initial 20 per cent share from the US government in 2009.

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