MAKE IN THE CLUB
Jeep cars in the club.
5 cars · 4 members
HISTORY
Jeep history
- Founded
- 1941
- Headquarters
- Auburn Hills, Michigan
- Brand owned by
- Stellantis
- Iconic models
- Willys MB, CJ, Wagoneer, Cherokee, Wrangler, Grand Cherokee
Jeep history goes back to the Second World War, when the US Army needed a light four-wheel-drive reconnaissance vehicle. American Bantam built the first prototype in 1940, and from 1941 Willys-Overland mass-produced the Willys MB, with Ford building the equivalent GPW.
After the war Willys-Overland launched the civilian CJ (Civilian Jeep) and registered the Jeep trademark in 1950. Kaiser bought the company in 1953, renamed it Kaiser Jeep in 1963, and the same year introduced the Wagoneer, one of the first comfortable four-wheel-drive family vehicles.
American Motors (AMC) took over Jeep in 1970, launched the compact Cherokee XJ in 1984 and the Wrangler, successor to the CJ, in 1986. Chrysler bought AMC together with Jeep in 1987, and the Grand Cherokee followed in 1992.
Today Jeep cars are built within Stellantis, with the Toledo, Ohio plant still an important home of the brand. It is among the most recognisable American car brands, and its name is often used for off-road vehicles in general.
MODELS