Jeep offers Aussie dealers a new deal

A new three-year dealer agreement has helped boost confidence in the future of Jeep Australia after a shaky run.

Back in February, Australian Jeep dealers were seeking legal advice concerning what their rights were, fearing the brand was about to pull out of Australia.

It was the low point of a steady decline in fortunes for the brand, from heady sales heights beyond 30,000 back in 2014 to just 2377 in 2024.

But parent company Stellantis Australia has put some firm foundations under Jeep’s future here in recent weeks by offering new three-year franchise agreements to the brand’s dealer network.

That combined with reports out of Jeep head office in Detroit of a product renewal has dealers feeling more confident about what’s ahead.

It should also give fans and buyers more confidence as well.

“The Jeep dealers are far less anxious having been given a new agreement,” one dealer source told carsales. “Everyone seems to now have a much better working relationship with Jeep Australia.”

For its part, Stellantis Australia told carsales it was here to stay when asked to clarify the future of the famous 4x4 brand.

“Jeep brand remains committed to the Australian market. We have a loyal customer base here and continue to see strong enthusiasm for our vehicles, particularly in lifestyle and off-road segments where Jeep has a unique heritage,” a spokesperson said.

“Like all brands, we adapt our product portfolio over time to meet customer needs and evolving market conditions.

“Our focus is on delivering capability, adventure and freedom and ensuring our customers in Australia have access to vehicles that reflect that promise.”

The health of not only Jeep in Australia but Stellantis as well – which also distributes the Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Leapmotor brands – has also had question marks over its future in recent times as its brands struggled.

But the local arm of the global auto giant has just moved its national headquarters into new offices in Melbourne after being based out of parts warehouse for some time, also helping build confidence it is staying in Australia.

Jeep, like the Stellantis group, has been through the mill globally in 2025 with the departure of CEO Carlos Tavares and his eventual replacement by Antonio Flosa, who had been running Jeep.

Tavares’ departure has resulted in some major U-turns, including the return of the Hemi V8 engine.

Authoritative US publication Automotive News reports substantial new product activity at Jeep.

This includes the return of the Cherokee medium SUV with the addition of a hybrid powertrain, the debut of the Wrangler-inspired Recon electric off-roader, a refresh of the Grand Cherokee and the arrival of a new-gen Compass small SUV in Australia in 2026.

The Hemi V8 is also expected to be applied more widely across the Jeep line-up, as well as plug-in technology.

Our dealer sources indicated that both powertrains are likely to feature in future Jeeps coming to Australia.

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