Jeep Australia sticking with Wrangler, new Chinese Bronco rival firming

Jeep has detailed its product plans for the rest of the decade in Europe, but don’t expect Australia to follow these to the letter.

For example, Jeep recently discontinued the Wrangler in Europe for 2026, following its withdrawal of the related Gladiator ute there in 2023, but the brand won’t follow suit here.

“The Wrangler and Gladiator will continue on in Australia,” said a Jeep Australia spokesperson.

As in Europe, however, Jeep is set to receive fresh metal via parent Stellantis’ partnership with Dongfeng.

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Per Autocar and Motor1, Jeep has detailed its European product plans out to 2030, though it has stopped short of providing specific launch timings.

The American off-road brand will launch a new ‘D-SUV’ co-developed with Dongfeng to slot in between the small/medium Italian-built Compass (offered with mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains) and the Mexican-built large Recon SUV (currently electric-only).

The Recon is due on sale in Europe in 2027, but is reportedly no longer planned for a UK launch. It’s unclear if the electric SUV will still be produced in right-hand drive; additionally, the Wagoneer S with which it shares its STLA Large platform also doesn’t feature in Jeep’s UK or European product plans. This casts doubt as to whether either of these American-developed SUVs will be offered in Australia.

The new D-SUV is set to be similar in size to the Recon, which measures 4.9m long. That could make it a rival to the Ford Bronco New Energy, another model co-developed with a Chinese automaker (in this case, JMC) but bearing an iconic American name.

Jeep Europe boss Fabio Catone told Autocar the new D-SUV is a “global Jeep project that will be sold in China and other regions, including Europe” but insisted it's a “vehicle fully designed by Jeep”.

He described it as being like “an iPhone model, in which the technical features of the design are fully lined with the identity of the brand but we leverage on the industrial footprint”.

Jeep has reportedly emphasised the new D-SUV will be designed and engineered in-house, albeit based on a platform co-developed with Dongfeng, and that it won’t be a simple rebadge.

Electric and electrified powertrains are planned. That could see the D-SUV offered as a full EV and also as either a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or extended-range electric vehicle (EREV).

Jeep announced earlier this year it would commence production in China of two new SUVs developed with Dongfeng in 2027, described as “initially two Jeep-branded off-road new energy vehicles for global markets”.

Dongfeng has experience building off-roaders, offering a pair of them under its M-Hero brand: the 5.1m-long M817 PHEV, and the M917 which is available as an electric vehicle (EV) or EREV, and measures just under five metres long.

This partnership with Dongfeng is part of a revised Stellantis strategy that will see Jeep positioned more clearly as one of the automotive giant’s four core global brands.

In May, Jeep Australia hinted it would launch vehicles co-developed with Dongfeng.

“We’re excited about the opportunities presented through Stellantis’ collaboration with Dongfeng and Tata, particularly for markets in APAC [Asia-Pacific and China],” said a spokesperson for Jeep Australia.

“These developments are an important part of Stellantis’ global product strategy, and we look forward to sharing more details for Australia in the future."

“The Jeep brand remains fully committed to the Australian market and Stellantis continues to invest heavily in its global product portfolio," the spokesperson added.

Should Jeep launch this new D-SUV in Australia, it won't be alone in launching a model co-developed with a Chinese brand.

Besides the aforementioned Ford Bronco New Energy, which is all but confirmed for Australia, Mazda has its 6e electric liftback and CX-6e electric SUV developed with Changan, while Hyundai has its Elexio electric SUV developed with BAIC. Nissan is also expected to release vehicles co-developed with Dongfeng, including the Frontier Pro dual-cab PHEV ute.

In addition to the new D-SUV, Jeep Europe is planning two new SUVs to slot in between the light Avenger and small/medium Compass, with at least one set to be based on the new STLA One platform and offer a choice of internal-combustion, hybrid and electric powertrains, with available all-wheel drive.

Like the new D-SUV, these have yet to be named, though one could dust off the Renegade nameplate. Jeep's approach to this segment is reminiscent of the original Compass and Patriot, with one model set to be more overtly SUV-styled.

Referred to as ‘B-SUVs’, these two new models are being developed specifically for Europe. It’s unclear if these vehicles will come to Australia.

Given their platform, they could be produced in Europe, which could prove a handicap for Jeep Australia.

The Avenger is produced in Poland, but while it’s proved popular in Europe it has stumbled in Australia given the availability of rivals from markets such as China that either undercut it or offer more metal for the money.

The light electric SUV is one of just three models currently offered by Jeep in Australia, with the others being the Wrangler and Gladiator.

Jeep recently sold the last examples of its previous-generation Compass, and the new-generation model on sale in Europe has yet to appear here.

The Grand Cherokee still appears on its website, but it was axed last year – though Jeep’s official line at the time was that it had “paused” the model for Australia.

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