Jeep electric SUV could be delayed if not ‘perfect quality’

Jeep boss says he’s not afraid to postpone its first global battery-electric SUV if it fails to meet higher build quality standards.

The boss of Jeep says the car maker will delay introducing its first electric SUV to US showrooms – ahead of a planned 2026 Australian launch – if it fails to meet newly introduced higher quality standards.

The 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S is the brand’s first global SUV – and will be the first electric Jeep sold in North America – with production planned before the end of 2024 before hitting US (United States) showrooms around April 2025.

Speaking to Automotive News, Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa – who became CEO of the car maker in November 2023 – said the importance of the brand’s first electric model in the US means he’s happy to push back launch timing if there are any doubts surrounding quality.

“I want perfect quality, and I know that we are close, but close is not good enough,” the Jeep boss said.

“No launch if the quality isn’t perfect,” he added.

Quality issues have plagued Jeep’s reputation in the US and Australia, where the handling of customer complaints has also become an issue – with a commitment from the brand in 2015 to improve its customer care.

Despite that claim, in October 2023 the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) court-enforced the local arm of Jeep (Stellantis Australia) to again undertake an internal review into its complaint handling process “due to deficiencies in its internal policies”.

Yet Jeep has made somewhat of a comeback in terms of vehicle quality, after placing as low as 30th of 31 brands – only ahead of Fiat – in the highly regarded JD Power annual Vehicle Dependability Survey in the US in 2017.

In 2024, the same JD Power survey positioned Jeep 11th – its highest ranking and the first time the car maker had not been below the industry average for the number of faults per 100 vehicles made.

The result placed Jeep ahead of popular makes including Nissan, Subaru, Honda, Ford and Volkswagen.

Jeep has already launched its first battery-electric model – the city-sized Avenger – which lands in Australia this month, but with Jeep not planning to offer it in the US.

The Wagoneer S will use new dedicated STLA Large electric underpinnings shared with Maserati, Dodge and Alfa Romeo vehicles, all brands part of the Stellantis group.

The same size as a Jeep Grand Cherokee L currently in Australian showrooms, the Wagoneer S – due in local showrooms in 2026 – has been confirmed with 447kW and 0-96km/h time of 3.5 seconds.

Jeep Australia has also confirmed the Wagoneer S and Avenger will be joined by a third electric SUV, the Jeep Recon – which will also use the Wagoneer S’ potent electric drivetrain.

While the Avenger hits local showrooms this month, Jeep Australia sales were down 49.8 per cent year-on-year by the end of August, despite price cuts for the Grand Cherokee and new lower driveaway pricing for the Gladiator pick-up.

The post Jeep electric SUV could be delayed if not ‘perfect quality’ appeared first on Drive.

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