All-electric Jeep Recon. Source: Jeep
American automotive icon Jeep is reportedly planning to introduce three new electric vehicles in Australia in the next few years, with the Jeep Avenger, Jeep Recon, and Jeep Wagoneer S all on the cards.
While there is little at the moment in the way of official timelines, plans, or specifications, Jeep brand CEO Christian Meunier, speaking at the North American International Auto Show currently being held in Detroit, confirmed that at least two electric Jeeps will form an integral part of Jeep’s plans for Australia.
“We have the Recon and Wagoneer S, which are secured for Australia,” Meunier is reported as saying.
“Obviously Australia was very much behind two, three years ago about electrification, it was not even a question,” said Meunier.
“When I talked to the (Australian) team it was … ‘ah electrification, not really interested.’ And I kept questioning, questioning, questioning and look at what happened in the meantime.
“Obviously New Zealand is going 100 per cent full speed ahead (with electric power). And Australia is catching up. Australia is going to get there.”
The Driven has reached out to Jeep through its parent company Stellantis to confirm the comments and will update as appropriate.
While the mid-size SUV Jeep Recon and the coupe-like SUV Jeep Wagoneer S have both been “secured for Australia” with no official timeline, experts believe that the Jeep Avenger city SUV will also make its way to Australia as something of a formality, given that it will be factory-built in right-hand-drive and is already set to debut in the United Kingdom.
“The Avenger is going to go to the UK, it’s going to go to Japan, and we’re looking at maybe Australia if there is a market for it,” Meunier reportedly added. “Right now it’s still not decided.
“Recon is confirmed for Australia, and I think it’s going to be a great product for Australia. The Wagoneer S (is) secured for Australia as well.”
An electric version of the Cherokee is also expected to be unveiled by Jeep in the next 12 months, which will also be planned for right-hand-drive.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.
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