The head of the Jeep owner said he is open to giving up the Cherokee name on the vehicles, following recent criticism from the Native American tribal leader.
Carlos Tavares, executive director of the recent Stellantis NV format, said the company is engaged in dialogue with the Cherokee nation on the use of the name. Jeep has two models, the compact Cherokee sport utility vehicle and a larger Grand Cherokee, which it sells in the US and beyond.
Asked in an interview if he would be willing to change the name of the Jeep Cherokee if he is pushed to do so, Mr Tavares said: “We are ready to go anywhere, to the point where we decide with the right people and without intermediaries. ”
“At this stage, I do not know if there is a real problem. But if there is, of course, we will solve it, “Mr Tavares said, adding that he was not personally involved in the talks.
The debate over the Cherokee name is one of the problems facing Mr Tavares, who took control of Stellantis when it was formed earlier this year from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and manufacturer Peugeot PSA. In Wednesday’s interview, Mr Tavares also discussed whether he should reduce the company’s 14 brands, making Fiat factories more competitive and his plan to stay with China.