Jeep brings duo of remixed Cherokee concepts to Beijing

China has become and important market for a number of American automakers, and even though Jeep's partnership with local automotive companies goes back decades, it has always faced stiff competition from other brands in the SUV segment. Hoping that the debut of the new Cherokee will revitalize interest in the brand, Jeep has brought a number of concepts to the China auto show in Beijing this week.

First up is the Jeep Cherokee Sageland concept, whose design theme and colors were inspired by historical landmarks and scenery of the Shangri-La region, with the SUV's exterior painted in ivory tri-coat pearl with bronze grille collars. Jeep has used satin bronze chrome paint on the roof rack, door mirror caps, exhaust tips and the side windows. Jeep has extended the earth-tone theme to the interior, introducing a combination of light and neutral gray colors for the napa leather seats, finished with red and water-blue accent stitches. The seats feature stitching inspired by traditional Chinese knot design, while the pattern on the door appliques comes from traditional Chinese ornamental door knobs.

The Jeep Cherokee Urbane concept is the second Cherokee concept vehicle that Jeep brought to Beijing this week, and it is meant to evoke the glamor of nightlife. The Urbane concept is finished in "maximum steel" metallic exterior color with hyper black accents on the roof, rack, grille collars, door mirror caps, and front and rear fascias, as well as wheel finishings, badging and antenna. The piano black interior is accentuated by dark red napa leather seats with bright red accent stitching, while the decorative door applique features brush stroke patterns that pay homage to Chinese calligraphy.

Both concepts are essentially heavy repaints meant to showcase interior materials, though there is precedent for Jeep releasing production vehicles with Chinese exterior themes.

Jeep is betting heavily on China and is hoping for a resurgence in SUV sales, both aimed at the luxury end of the spectrum and at first-time car buyers, with the debut of the Jeep Renegade for the Chinese market.

Jeep brought plenty of exclusive concepts to the Beijing auto show, and we'll be taking a look at a couple more tomorrow.

By Jay Ramey