Fiat has delayed the launch of a new compact crossover destined for Chrysler’s Jeep brand. The Jeep model – internally known as the B-SUV – was originally scheduled to begin production in 2013 at Fiat’s Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy, but the project will be delayed until the second quarter of 2014.
Fiat decided to delay the start of production of the Jeep B-SUV in order to accelerate the launch of a new model to replace the company’s Sedici crossover. The Sedici is currently produced by Suzuki in Hungary and is essentially a rebadged version of the Suzuki SX4.
Although the Jeep B-SUV could prove to be a hot seller, Fiat desperately needs to launch a replacement model for its aging Sedici in order to kick-start its European sales. Sedici sales dipped 10 percent last year to just 14,800 units.
The new version of the Sedici is now scheduled to begin production at the Mirafiori in late 2013, according to Automotive News.
The Jeep B-SUV, which will share a platform with the Sedici, will begin production at the same plant during Q2 of 2014. The B-SUV will be sold in the United States as well as Europe, but its second quarter production start means that the crossover won’t likely land on dealer lots until sometime during the second half of 2014.
