Jeep®️ Announces Start of Production for the New Compass at Stellantis Melfi Plant

Jeep®️ Announces Start of Production for the New Compass at Stellantis Melfi Plant

•           Jeep®️ begins production of the all‑new Compass at the Stellantis Melfi plant in Italy — a facility with over 30 years of heritage that now stands as a European benchmark for flexibility, quality and innovation.

•           The New Compass raises the bar in the C‑SUV segment with iconic Jeep design, versatile interiors and class‑leading capability across city streets, highways and off‑road terrain.

•           Buyers benefit from genuine “freedom of choice” with a full suite of electrified powertrains — e‑Hybrid, plug‑in hybrid and fully electric — delivering up to 375 hp and up to 650 km of range.

•           Built on the advanced STLA Medium platform, the New Compass combines optimized aerodynamics, generous cabin space and cutting‑edge technology to maximize efficiency without compromise.

•           Melfi embodies Jeep’s “freedom of production”: an ultra‑flexible assembly line that adapts in real time to market demand, with the capacity to convert to 100% BEV output if required.

Jeep®️ today celebrates the start of production of the New Compass, the third generation of the global SUV that has become a cornerstone of the brand’s success in Europe and worldwide carrying a nameplate that has achieved over 2.5 million sales worldwide.. Built on the cutting-edge STLA Medium platform, the New Compass brings together best-in-class capability, iconic Jeep design, advanced technology, and complete freedom of choice in powertrains, giving customers the possibility to choose the technology that best fits their needs, from efficient hybrids to full electric power.

Designed & Engineered to excel everywhere — from city streets and highways to daily commutes and outdoor adventures —  the New Compass blends lifestyle appeal and iconic design with impressive interior space and versatility, thanks to efficient packaging. It offers customers a wide range of options: from a 145 hp e-Hybrid and a 195 hp e-hybrid plug-in, to fully electric versions delivering up to 375 hp, all-wheel drive, and a range of 650 km.  This wide range of options reflects a core Jeep belief: freedom of mobility for every journey. Aerodynamic refinements including a drag coefficient of 0,29, maximize efficiency without compromising space or practicality. Meanwhile, Selec-Terrain systems, 360-degree protection, and intelligently positioned sensors enhance both safety and off-road performance, while preserving the class-leading comfort that makes the New Compass a practical yet highly capable SUV. Technically, the New Compass delivers the versatility and capability Jeep is known for. Ground clearance higher than 200 mm, optimized approach and departure angles, and water fording up to 480 mm ensure confidence across all terrains.

Production takes place at the Stellantis Melfi plant, a facility with a strong Jeep heritage. In 2014, Melfi became the first Jeep manufacturing site outside North America, initially producing the Renegade and later the Compass, including the pioneering 4xe plug-in hybrid versions. Since then, over 2.3 million Jeep vehicles have rolled off its lines. 

At Melfi, freedom plays a central role. 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. This “freedom of production” ensures that the industrial capacity evolves together with customer choice.

The Stellantis Melfi complex covers 1.9 million square meters and employs more than 4,600 people, with an average seniority of over two decades. Its full-cycle integration, from stamping to painting, plastics, assembly, and battery production, makes it one of the most advanced and flexible automotive plants on the continent. High levels of automation are complemented by human expertise, ensuring top standards of quality, while continuous sustainability innovations, such as renewable energy generation and eco-friendly painting processes, reinforce its role as a strategic hub in Stellantis’ decarbonization roadmap.

The Melfi plant also serves as a testing ground for cutting-edge industrial technologies that will soon be implemented across other Stellantis facilities. Among these are advanced laser systems that ensure 100% precision in bodywork alignment, and high-resolution electronic cameras that continuously monitor door profiles throughout production. The site is also adopting new environmentally friendly manufacturing methods, such as the innovative 4-Wet paint process, which eliminates an entire coating layer to reduce environmental impact. Sustainability is a core commitment across the plant: energy-efficient heat pumps are already installed in paint booths, with plans to expand their use to other areas. Meanwhile, Melfi is increasing its self-generation capacity through photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and a biomethane system that recycles organic waste from local farms. The goal is to reach up to 54 MW of renewable energy — equivalent to 70% of the plant’s total energy needs — by the end of 2030.

The new generation Compass will confirm itself as one of the most widely available models in JEEP’s global line-up. Units produced in Melfi will be marketed in 60 Countries worldwide in Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. With production now underway, it marks a new chapter for Jeep in Europe: designed, engineered, and built in Italy, the New Compass sets new benchmarks in the C-SUV segment worldwide, offering customers unmatched versatility, capability, and innovation.