Jeep has begun production of the new Jeep Compass at Stellantis’ Melfi plant in Italy, marking a major milestone for the brand as it prepares to offer the model in fully electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid versions. The announcement was made on Wednesday, though images from the factory indicate that assembly had already started earlier in October.
The new Compass is built on Stellantis’ STLA Medium platform, which also underpins models such as the DS N°8, Peugeot E-3008, Peugeot E-5008, and Opel Grandland Electric. The lineup will expand in 2026 with the Lancia Gamma, followed by an Opel model. Measuring 4.55 metres in length, the Compass sits among the more compact vehicles on the platform, close in size to the E-3008.
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The electric Compass will debut with a 157 kW front-wheel-drive configuration and a 74 kWh battery pack, while a 276 kW all-wheel-drive variant is planned for a later release, giving it more output than the top AWD Peugeot models. Production has begun with the front-wheel-drive version.
Stellantis highlighted the Melfi plant’s importance in Jeep’s history, describing it as having “a long Jeep heritage.” The facility, which began building Jeeps in 2014, has previously produced the Renegade and Compass plug-in hybrid. The new generation continues this legacy with a flexible approach to electrification. “Thanks to an ultra-flexible assembly line, the plant can adapt in real time to market demand, adjusting the mix of vehicles produced, up to 100% BEV if necessary,” the company said, reinforcing its multi-energy strategy.
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Designed, engineered, and built in Italy, the third-generation Compass is positioned as a global model to be sold in 60 countries, including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. “With production now underway, it marks a new chapter for Jeep in Europe,” the company said. “The New Compass sets new benchmarks in the C-SUV segment worldwide, offering customers unmatched versatility, capability, and innovation.”