For
Jeep, the name of the vehicle was the first step. A list of 70 different names
was studied including a few global Jeep names. However, for an SUV that is
completely ‘Made in India’- a name with strong relevance and resonance to the
market was required. The name is inspired by the line which passes through the
length of India connecting some of the most beautiful states and cultures.
The
‘Made in India’ Jeep Meridian will be the first 7-seater SUV for Indian
customers and fulfils an important commitment to the Indian market. The Jeep
Meridian will be a combination of refinement, sophistication, class-leading
performance, and unmatched capability.
Roland
Bouchara, CEO & Managing Director, Stellantis India, said on the occasion,
"Jeep is an iconic brand, globally recognized for its capable SUVs. The
Jeep brand’s journey in India has been legendary and we hope to build on this,
with another equally legendary SUV - the Jeep Meridian. Developed specifically
for the Indian customer, we have delivered a sophisticated and capable SUV
ready to harness a unique segment opportunity.
Our
product offensive for 2022 and beyond will continue to illustrate our
commitment to India as we work towards strengthening our market presence. The
Jeep Meridian will further push the brand's attractiveness and transform the
product portfolio for the Indian market.”
Sharing
his excitement on the announcement, Nipun J Mahajan, Head of Jeep India said,
“The Jeep Meridian is our latest offering for the Indian market as part of our
2022 product strategy. We wanted to announce the name with an innovative
activation and the K2K drive through the length of India is in line with the
name of our new model. We tested the SUV
on every kind of terrain India has to offer – by taking it on a challenging
journey from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.”
“We
are proud to say, the Jeep Meridian performed flawlessly. We are delighted to
deliver today, a car that is both Made-in-India and Made-for-India for our
customers anticipating the Meridian. From performance to looks and comfort to
off-roading prowess, the Jeep Meridian is truly unmatched in its category” he
added.
Staying
true to its name, the Jeep Meridian was camouflaged in a unique and innovative
design, capturing some of the most recognizable icons and cultures of the
states which lie on the Meridian-77 passing through the length of India. These
include the famous India Gate from Delhi, the camel of Rajasthan, the tiger of
Madhya Pradesh, the flag of Maharashtra, the elephant of Karnataka, the coconut
tree of Kerala, among others.
The
exceptionally camouflaged Jeep Meridian traversed across Ladakh, Kashmir,
Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, New Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, elegantly navigating the most arduous topographical
challenges. The Jeep Meridian covered a distance of more than 5,000 kms through
India testing its performance, on various parameters of build quality,
engineering, and capability.