Article by: Phillip Saydeh

If you have visited Dubai International Motor Show this year, you can clearly notice the increasing lineup of the FCA products especially with Alfa Romeo and Jeep.

For this occasion, we got the chance to have a roundtable discussion with executives from both brands Alfa Romeo and Jeep.

Our morning discussion started with Alfa Romeo Brand Head EMEA Ms. Roberta Zerbi, our interest in Alfa Romeo was clearly about the noticeable increase in product lineup and also the Stelvio Quadrifoglio impressive numbers.

Ms. Roberta commented: A hundred years of history contributed to the unmistakable style that has always marked the Alfa-Romeo lineup. The Giulia and Stelvio are the result of this legacy and these two models are the Gems with which Alfa-Romeo is planning to take on the competition. Following the release of the standard versions of the Giulia and the Stelvio, the Dubai Motor Show was the opportunity where the Stelvio and Giulia were presented in the Quadrifoglio version on a worldwide basis. The aim is to allow everyday drivers and any person behind the wheel to have the opportunity to experience the pleasure of the Quadrifoglio legacy in racing all without losing the sense of safety and the ability to be in control.

As for the Alfa Romeo move forward strategy, commercial schemes are being built to ensure that a good experience is delivered to customers when buying the car; One of the key features in providing a good experience for prospect buyers is to offer an opportunity for a test drive. The brand’s mantra is to allow as many people to drive the car as possible, primarily through the network of distributors and also through on track events to allow prospect clients to get a grasp of the true feeling of the sporty nature of the car. The plan for Alfa Romeo rebirth is confirmed and goes through a number of new launches and initiatives, and an array of new additions to the lineup and new technologies.

After this morning brief on Alfa Romeo, we step into the world of Jeep with Mr. Dante Zilli Brand head of EMEA.

Jeep has been going through lots of changes and lots of new entries out of which was on display at Dubai Motor Show: The New Jeep Compass and the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk among others, and this is where the discussion was heading.

Dante commented that Jeep, over the past few years, is growing in lineup and in numbers. The new additions of Renegade a few years back and now the Compass is setting the direction where Jeep is going worldwide and in the region. Despite the fact that the market is going down, Jeep sales have increased by 19% in the last year and we are expecting more in 2018 with the All-New Compass.

We have revamped some products and introduced new products and will continue to do so to complete the Jeep lineup.  To start with the Compass, it is a completely new car compared to the previous generation, the Compass has the Jeep spirit and design combined with its off-roading capabilities, new technology, comfort and most of all the Compass is a no compromise car that is pretty much above all competitors from the same segment. On top of the Compass, the Trackhawk is something to talk about so if you are looking for performance in the SUV segment The Trackhawk is there to satisfy the need. The Trackhawk is actually on display at the Dubai Motor Show first time outside the US as we believe these two newly introduced vehicles will have a great impact on Jeep’s regional and worldwide sales figures for 2018.

As for the New Wrangler JL, Dante Commented when asked: you will see it at the LA Auto Show in the upcoming weeks, it was a challenge to replace the Icon of the brand but you will be surprised, also we are working on several new future releases that will complete the Jeep lineup as mentioned so stay tuned.