Will Jeep PH ever bring the Wrangler 4xe?

Electrified Jeep Wrangler 4xe facing several hurdles for PH entry

If there's one variant of the Jeep Wrangler that has yet to debut in the country, it's the 4xe plug-in hybrid. First launched in 2020, the electrified 4x4 is the more eco-friendly version of Jeep's popular SUV.

Thanks to a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine assisted by two electric motors and a 17 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the Wrangler 4xe generates a total system output of 375 PS and 637 Nm of torque. More importantly, the SUV can travel up to 40 km without using a single drop of fuel.

Impressive it may be, Jeep distributor Inchcape Philippines has yet to launch the electrified 4x4. With electrified vehicles continuing to become more popular in the country along with the fact that hybrids now benefit from zero import duties thanks to Executive Order No. 12 (EO 12), it's hard not to wonder as to why the Wrangler 4xe is not yet being offered in the Philippines.

Curious, we asked an insider why the Jeep Wrangler 4xe is not yet available in the country. According to our contact, there have already been discussions about bringing the Wrangler 4xe into the Philippine market, but several factors continue to hinder the probability of the electrified 4x4 going on sale in the country.

First and foremost is the price. Despite EO 12 dropping the import duty from the price tag, the Wrangler 4xe will still be quite expensive. When we asked how much the vehicle would be sold, it mentioned that the 4xe would still be significantly more expensive than a standard Wrangler Rubicon so why bother?

Next is the charging infrastructure in the country. While malls and filling stations have already started putting up EV chargers, there is still a lack of a charging network to ensure there will be enough chargers for electrified vehicles. In addition, those who plan to take the Wrangler 4xe on a road trip will likely need to top up the battery over long distances.

Last but not least, aftersales support. While Inchcape Philippines is already equipped with the necessary tools and know-how in maintaining Jeep Wranglers, introducing the 4xe means they have to invest in allocating additional tools and skills for the plug-in hybrid Wrangler. Combined with the high price tag they have to sell the Wrangler 4xe for, the significant costs to bring in the Wrangler 4xe just wouldn't make business sense.

Yes, this means we won't be seeing the Wrangler 4xe any time soon in the Philippines, and because of those factors, we were told it's not part of the company's immediate plans. However, they are hoping that they will be able to price the SUV more competitively in the not-so-distant future and that more charging stations will be put up in the country.