Are you a Jeep Cherokee fan? Well, who isn’t? Since its debut, it’s been a shining star in the compact SUV segment thanks to its off-road capabilities.
Jeeps have always been branded as all-American. If you’re anything like the average American, then you’re probably going for the Jeep Cherokee, thanks to its American-made history.
Jeep Cherokee is the epitome of style, durability, and performance. They can go anywhere, anytime. So, where are they made? We’ll answer that question in this article so that you can rest easy about the origins of your vehicle.
Table of Contents
Where is the Jeep Cherokee Manufactured?
America is known for its Jeeps, and if you’re buying one, it makes sense that you’d want one made in America. You’ll be pleased to hear that Jeep Cherokees are made in America! They’re manufactured at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere, Illinois.
Still, you’ll need to be a little wary of the manufacturing country. That’s not the only place Jeep Cherokees are made. China also produces Jeep Cherokees at the Changsha Assembly plant.
The Belvidere Assembly Plant has a long history of producing cars. It began production in 1965. In recent years, they equipped the facility with advanced manufacturing technologies.
These advancements ensure the highest-quality Jeep production. In addition to the Jeep Cherokee, the Belvidere Assembly Plant also produces the Jeep Compass and Jeep Renegade.
The Chinese assembly plant is newer compared to the American plant. It has been in operation since 2012. It also produces other models, such as the Jeep Renegade, the Jeep Compass, and the Grand Commander.
Were the Jeep Cherokees for the US market always made in Illinois?
They shifted the production of the Jeep Cherokee to the Belvidere Assembly plant in 2017. Before the shift, Jeeps were manufactured in the Toledo Assembly Complex in Toledo, Ohio.
The Jeep Cherokee is genuinely an “American” vehicle, and it has been consistently ranking in the top ten in the American-made Index. This ranking system takes into consideration where the parts are manufactured and assembled.
How do you ensure that your Jeep Cherokee was manufactured in the US?
You’ll need to check the VIN (vehicle identification number) to check where your Jeep was manufactured. Car manufacturers use the VIN code to keep track of the following information:
- Owner
- Country of origin
- History of repair
- Parts compatibility
Jeep Cherokees with the code “1” on the first position of the VIN are made in the US.
Okay, but where do you find the VIN? It’s pretty easy to find. It’s located on the front-left side of your dashboard. You can view it through the windshield from outside. You can ask the car dealership for your Jeep’s origin too.
Where are Jeep Cherokees manufactured for the Australian market?
Jeep Cherokees in the Australian market used to be manufactured in the Changsha Assembly plant in China. They were shipped from China to reduce shipping costs and transportation costs.
They were right-hand drives. Jeep recently halted the production of right-hand Cherokees and withdrew them from the market. This focused the marketing and sales resources on the critical volume models.
Other models are still sold in Australia, though; these include the Grand Cherokee, the Wrangler, the Compass, and the Jeep Gladiator.
Where are Jeep Cherokees manufactured for the Canadian market?
The Canadian market receives Jeep Cherokees which the company manufactures in North America. It’s not a big hassle as they are both left-hand drive areas. This reduces the overall shipping costs to a minimum.
Other models of Jeep sold in Canada include the Grand Cherokee, the Grand Cherokee L, the Jeep Compass, the Renegade, the Wrangler, and the Gladiator.
Also Read:
Where was the Jeep Cherokee Designed?
Currently, Jeep Cherokee is on its fifth generation in the US. It’s considered one of the most popular Jeeps thanks to all that it offers. It was designed by Greg Howell in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
They changed the name to “Liberty” during its third generation. The reason was to give way to the new flagship model, the Grand Cherokee. In 2014, the Cherokee was renamed back to its original name in the US.
When the new design was released, there was a bit of controversy surrounding it. The design was futuristic, unlike the older models. The old models focused on the historical perspective.
Where does Jeep manufacture its parts?
As the Jeep Cherokee ranks at number 4 in the “most American” vehicles built, of course, most of the parts are made in America. The engines and the transmission are both manufactured domestically.
However, Jeep has expanded its operations worldwide. Americans receive American-made Jeep Cherokees. They are manufactured and assembled in other countries too.
The Jeep countries of operation include Italy, Brazil, and even China.
Where are other Jeep models manufactured?
Other assembly plants in America manufacture different models. The Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit manufactures the Grand Cherokee, the Wrangler, and the Renegade.
The Wrangler is also assembled at the Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio. The Jeep Renegade is also produced at the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Melfi Plant in Melfi, Italy.
What kind of engine does the Jeep Cherokee have?
The Jeep Cherokee has a Fiat engine. Back in 2014, Jeep and Fiat merged and since then have shared resources and technology with each other.
Conclusion
Now you know precisely where Jeep Cherokees are made. You can be totally tension free when you buy one. Jeep Cherokees are made either in the US for the US market or in China for other markets.
You can find the make of your Jeep using the VIN. With that, you can pinpoint exactly where your Jeep Cherokee was manufactured.
With the long-term vision and leadership of Stellantis, they have manifested quality and functionality in every model, especially the Jeep Cherokee.
FAQs
Is the Jeep Cherokee American made?
Stellantis, the owner of Jeep, has over 52 facilities worldwide in 24 countries. All the models of the Jeep Cherokee aren’t 100% American. Jeeps such as the Wrangler, the Gladiator, and the Cherokee are produced and assembled in the US.
Does Chrysler make Jeep Cherokee?
The answer is no. However, Jeep is a brand of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) group. FCA owns other brands, too, such as Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo. Jeep itself makes specific models. It’s a sub-company, but all the operations are separate.
Is Jeep planning to move its production of Cherokees?
Stellantis has made no official claims that they’ll transfer the production lines of Jeep Cherokees. Although they used to be produced at the Toledo Assembly Plant, now they are made at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in the US.
This doesn’t mean they won’t expand their operations. Jeep is investing in manufacturing plants in India to produce more models for local markets there. This will have no effect on the Jeep Cherokees in the US.
Where are Jeep Cherokees manufactured for the UK market?
In the UK, they don’t offer the Jeep Cherokee locally. Although Jeep is super popular in the UK along with 39 neighboring countries in Europe, they are for other models.
The models sold in the UK are the following:
- Wrangler
- Renegade
- Renegade 4xe
- Compass
If you’re in the UK market and want a Jeep Cherokee, you can go to the local Jeep dealerships to import the car.
Is Jeep originally from the US?
Jeep originated in the US. They used to make Jeeps as early as 1941. Willys-Overland used to make Jeeps, and that’s where the name was coined.
They started making civilian Jeeps in 1950.