Reports from Europe have suggested Jeep may be reviving the iconic ‘Willys’ nameplate for an electric compact SUV in 2030. Here’s what we know…
Noted by Xavier Peugeot, CEO of Jeep Europe, at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, the US marque’s leadership has recognised the importance of the Willys’ heritage as a “key attention” for the brand’s future. One of several new ideas the firm is considering, Peugeot maintains the Willys’ revival could be a key card to play in the fightback against vehicles coming from China. He continued to suggest that many European-based automakers face the imminent offensive from Chinese competition and that legacy automakers like Jeep should remain as strong and connected to its original values as possible.
The Willys project itself forms part of Jeep’s ‘Road to 2030’ strategy, which encapsulates a range of models that are capable, compact and electrified to meet tomorrow’s mobility needs. Spearheading this lineup is the new Renegade, which will be based on the STLA One platform shared with other Stellantis sub-brand models like the upcoming Peugeot 208, Vauxhall Corsa, and DS N°3.
Although no concrete information has been released on the Willys project, much of Peugeot’s speech centred around the affordability of electric vehicles; proposing that the revived Willys could be purely electric. For example, the Citroën 2 CV Concept, which was revealed at the Paris Motor Show, previewed a future production EV focused on affordability.
Peugeot said each model in the firm’s future range will be 4×4-compatible. In a teaser image released by the manufacturer, it looks like the regimagined Willys will stick to its heritage, with classically boxy proportions similar to the Suzuki Jimny. The shape is previewed via a shadow appearing behind the original.
While details remain thin on the ground, its seems the new Willys could take the form of a compact SUV employing an EV powertrain. Based on the number of Stellantis concepts seen at the Paris Motor Show, we would be surprised if it didn’t start to take shape before the decade is out.
