History of Jeep

The word “Jeep” has become a household word today, and refers to almost all off-road vehicles. However, in fact, it was originally a slang term for the MB model cars produced by Willys-Overland since 1941 for the needs of the US Army. According to the documentation, they were marked “General Purpose” (translated as “general purpose”), or abbreviated as “GP”. As it turned out, these cars were able to occupy such a huge number of niches in the needs of the military that it was impossible to come up with a more accurate direction for their use. The Willys MB transported weapons and other cargo, delivered the wounded to the infirmary and fresh forces on the battlefield, they were used as vehicles for officers, intelligence officers and signalmen laying cables, the base of the “jeep” made it possible to install a machine gun on it, and even transport anti-tank guns. During the years of World War II, the United States Army acquired more than 600,000 of these vehicles, to which the name “Jeep” has already firmly stuck.

In 1944, the company released the first model intended for free sale. The Civilian Jeep, or simply the CJ-1A, became very popular among soldiers returning from the war and simple hard workers who needed inexpensive but reliable cars. A year later, the next model appeared on the market – CJ-2A, which had an all-metal station wagon body, a rear door and windshield wipers. In the years that followed, Willys-Overland distinguished itself first with the Jeepster phaeton and then with its first all-wheel drive car, powered by a powerful 6-cylinder engine.

In 1950, Willys decided to trademark the name Jeep. However, the company’s products at that time were no longer so popular, and in 1953 the company was bought out by Kaiser, which decided to invest in expanding the range of cars produced. And yet, jeeps remain the main focus of Willys. In 1954, the Jeep CJ-5 saw the light, which had a more rounded shape compared to its predecessors. The demand for this model became so great that it underwent only minor modifications from time to time, and continued to be produced until 1963, when it was replaced by the Wagoneer, the first all-wheel drive car to have an automatic transmission. After 2 years, a modernized version of the Super Wagoneer was released, equipped with a new engine that had a capacity of 250 horsepower – twice as much as its predecessor. The Jeepster was not forgotten either – the company released the Jeepster Commando, which had several body options, from a roadster to a van.

In 1970, Jeep becomes the property of the AMC concern. The well-chosen slogan that presented the brand’s vehicles as vehicles for off-road adventures raised their popularity to new heights. The company continued to release new models, not forgetting to equip them with the latest technical innovations that increase the cross-country ability of jeeps. In 1974, the legendary Cherokee line was launched, the first-born of which had a monocoque body with two doors. After 2 years, the company also introduced a four-door version. Also, in 1976, the CJ-7 and CJ-8 models came out, but they were far from the popularity of the “Indians”.

In 1983, the next generation of Cherokee was introduced. Cars have decreased in size, becoming due to this more versatile and maneuverable. The machines were offered with a choice of two transmission options, each of which allowed switching 2/4-wheel drive on the go. After 3 years, the company introduced the Jeep Wrangler, as well as the first pickup truck, the Comanchee.

In 1987, the AMC concern, and with it the Jeep, were bought out by the Chrysler corporation. The new owner continued the line of development of quality SUVs, and by 1990 the number of Cherokees sold exceeded 1 million units. In 1991, the Grand Wagoneer and Comanchee models were discontinued, and a year later the company presented an updated Cherokee line at the Detroit Auto Show, which again gained universal recognition. These cars became world-class flagships, holding out on the podium until 1996, when they were replaced by the Jeep Wrangler. The company has firmly established itself as a leader in the production of off-road vehicles, offering customers reliable, comfortable and beautiful cars.

In 1998, Daimler and Chrysler merged into a global corporation, the range of which covered almost all areas of car production. The new version of the Jeep Cherokee, released soon after, again became the world’s leading SUV. She had not only high cross-country ability, but also a chic interior, as well as high comfort when driving on an asphalt highway. The next generation of these cars, released 3 years later, again raised the bar for quality. In subsequent years, the company limited itself to the refinement of the Jeep Cherokee, offering customers updated versions of the SUV, equipped with the latest achievements of the automotive industry. So, in 2005, a sports version of the Grand Cherokee was introduced, which was equipped with a 4.7-liter standard engine, and as an option it could get a 3-liter turbocharged diesel engine or a 5.7-liter gasoline engine, in which part of the cylinder deactivation technology was applied. .

In 2006, the company released a 7-seater Jeep Commander, based on the Grand Cherokee. The car received a modern Quadra Drive II transmission, which made it possible to redirect torque electronically to any wheel. Also, the front-wheel drive comfortable Compass and the new version of the Grand Cherokee SRT8 were presented. The latest model had a HEMI engine and was the first Jeep to be able to hit the 100 km/h mark in 5 seconds. The following year, Jeep updated the legendary Wrangler, which received both 3-door and 5-door variants. Also, in 2007, the parent corporation Chrysler separated from Daimler, and 2 years later an alliance was concluded with FIAT, which made it possible to survive the difficult time of the global economic crisis without much loss. Since 2010, Jeep has shown a steady upward trend in sales. So, in 2012, the record for the number of brand cars sold was broken – more than 700 thousand units.

The company did not stop there, but continued to release new models. In 2013, together with the company Mopar, which produces off-road accessories, the American brand Jeep introduced a series of concepts on 37-inch wheels. In July 2014, serious work began on the preparation of the Italian competitor Chevrolet Tracker on the basis of the Fiat concern platform. It continues to this day.

In the same year, the Jeep company finalized the Grand Cherokee model. The changes affected the engine, the power of which increased from 468 horsepower to 475, and, accordingly, the acceleration speed to hundreds decreased by 0.1 seconds (up to 4.9 seconds). In addition, the manufacturer has worked to improve sound insulation, as well as the design of the exterior and interior. Less than a year later, the company made the Grand Cherokee even more powerful, adding another 15 horsepower and lowering fuel consumption.

In 2015, the head of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles alliance, Sergio Marchionne, expressed his sympathy for the Range Rover SUV and decided to try to release something similar, only under the Jeep brand. So far, the model is in development, its release is planned for 2016.