Jeep-Cherokee-Perspective-Web
Jeep brand CEO Mike Manley says Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will most likely have completed a deal for production of certain Jeep models in China by the end of the month.

According to comments made during a phone interview with Reuters, Manley said he hopes the announcement can be made at the Beijing International Auto show that opens Monday, April 21.

"It will be ideal if I can get the timing right for the Beijing show, but I'm not at the stage to say that definitely," Manley told Reuters' Bernie Woodall.

The Jeeps would be built in Hunan Province at the Changsa plant FCA operates in a joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. The plant currently produces the Fiat Viaggio, a clone of the Dodge Dart.

Company officials have not committed to a specific model that would be the first to be produced under the new deal, but there have been indications it would be the the new Cherokee, which shares the CUSW platform with the Dart/Viaggio. The new Renegade would likely be the next model to be added to the line.

About the only Jeep model not on the table for China production is the Wrangler, which FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne has promised will be produced only in Toledo.

If all goes well, China production would begin early in the third quarter of 2015.