Is New Zealand set to enjoy the product promised to Australia? Jeep’s big boss certainly understands the desire.

EXACTLY where New Zealand fits into Jeep’s electric vehicle vision for the region is in the spotlight with the brand’s global boss confirming it has two battery-powered models coming to Australia – and a third as a maybe.

The mid-sized Recon (above), which delivers with Wrangler-like styling, and the larger Wagoneer S, a coupe-like sports utility (below) that are being built in the United States are confirmed to lead Jeep’s local electric charge, according to the website for Wheels magazine.

There’s conjecture the smaller Avenger (below), a city-centric model based off a Fiat platform that is being produced in Europe, could also be in line for sale, as that car has been signed off for the United Kingdom.

Comment about whether NZ is part of that plan has sought from the rights holder to the brand here, Ateco Group, but effort to speak to the national office’s usual spokeswomen was unsuccessful.

However, it seems Jeep is aware of NZ’s importance as an electric car market, with Jeep Brand chief executive Christian Meunier making special mention of our country when outlining, in Detroit at the weekend, the strategy for across the Tasman.

Meunier, who cites the electric models Jeep is developing as being important to a push to bring the famous American off-road make back into the spotlight in this part of the world, told journalists that he had noticed how NZ was going “100 percent full speed ahead” with electrification.

 “Australia was very much behind two or three years ago and electrification was not even talked about, but I kept questioning and questioning – and look at what happened in the meantime.

“New Zealand is going 100 per cent full speed ahead, and Australia is catching up, and it will get there.”

Jeep’s switch into the electric game will be more pronounced in markets than others. The brand says it will continue to offer petrol and diesel vehicles to several right drive markets for an indefinite period.

The latest of those for NZ is the Grand Cherokee, which has just gone on sale with a V6 petrol that has been well used by a variety of past Jeep models here.

Meunier is quoted as saying that whereas Recon and Wagoneer S have been signed off for Australia, the Avenger is still a “maybe.” 

“Avenger is going to go to the UK, and Japan, and we’re looking at maybe Australia if there is a market for it,” he told Wheels.

“The future models for the vast majority of the product are going to be right-hand drive as well.”

One outlet represented at the conference where he spoke suggested that’s expected to be a formality given it will be factory-built in right-hand-drive and is already locked in for the UK.  

With its chunky design, removable doors, and convertible roof, the Recon has the appearance of a replacement for the Wrangler, but Jeep is pledging to sell the two SUVs side by side.