Stellantis to bring nine models to Korea this year

Jake Aumann, managing director of Stellantis Korea, talks about 2022 business strategies during an online press conference Monday. [STELLANTIS KOREA]

The Stellantis group is planning to release nine models in Korea this year, focusing on its Jeep, Peugeot and DS brands.

These were plans announced Monday by Jake Aumann, managing director of Stellantis Korea, during an online press conference about business strategy. Stellantis is a 50:50 joint venture set up last year through the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and French automaker PSA Group. Stellantis has a total of 14 brands including Jeep, Maserati, Peugeot, Chrysler and DS, a French luxury vehicle introduced in 2009 as a sub brand of Citroen. It became a standalone brand in 2015.

“We evaluated all of our brands and made the strategic decision to continue with Peugeot, DS and Jeep," Aumann told reporters. "These iconic brands have a strong history in Korea. For Peugeot, it's been here for quite a while, and for Jeep, we've just broken an annual sales record. We believe by combining operations, we will be able to develop synergy."

A total of 10,449 Jeep-brand cars were sold in Korea last year, including 3,127 Wrangler SUVs and 2,708 Renegade SUVs.

The nine new models sold in Korea this year will include five Jeeps, two Peugeots and two DS vehicles. They include Jeep’s latest Renegade SUV, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Peugeot 308 hatchback and the DS 7 Crossback SUV.

Stellantis Korea aims to sell over 10,000 Jeep-brand cars in Korea this year.

The company is also trying to beef up its customer service. Jeep has 18 showrooms and service centers in Korea, which it will expand to 30 by the end of 2024. Peugeot and DS will each have 20 by 2024.

Jeep's first pure electric SUV will be introduced in Korea next year, though the date has not been disclosed.

Asked if the company intended to bring new brands to the Korean market, Aumann said the company "will continue to maintain a strong focus on Jeep, Peugeot and DS for now," but "will evaluate opportunities to bring cars and trucks that meet Korean customers' wants and needs."

Currently, Stellantis sells four brands in Korea — Jeep, Peugeot, DS and Citroen.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]