In June 1940, shortly after the outbreak of World War II, a contest to design a combat vehicle was summoned in the United States.Bantam Motor Company and Willys-Overland, which presents a quad, are the companies that come to the call;later binds Ford.Willys is the winner and the result is the definitive MB of 1941 (although everyone knows him as Jeep), which is manufactured during contest 650.000 units.
After finishing the conflict, in 1946, Willys adapts the Jeep to a civil use and the first model is the CJ-2a (Civil Jeep 2a).Later the Station Wagon As and, in 1948, the CJ-3A and the Jeepster appears.
Willys-Overland is bought by Henry J.Kaiser and, under the name of Kaiser Willys Motors Inc., exclusively develop Jeep projects, denomination that is recorded as a brand in 1950.The first result is the CJ-3b.In relation to MB, this new model provides modifications in the body;is kept in production for 15 years.But the real change arrives at the end of 1954, with the mythical CJ-5.Its greatest wheelbase allows more interior amplitude and premieres suspensions that provide greater comfort.Soon he captures the attention of the new fans of offroad activities and, even with important modifications, resists until the 80s.
The JEEP range acquires versatility, comfort and benefits in a few years of authentic expansion of the 4x4.All thanks to models such as the 1962 Wagoneer, the first luxury and predecessor TT of the current Cherokee and Grand Cherokee.In 1963 the company was called Kaiser Jeep Corporation and in 65 they arrive the Super Wagoneer, the "Summum" of elegance, and the Dauuntless V6 engine of 155 hp (a power that doubles the old Hurricane mechanics).The Jeep CJ-5 and CJ-6 incorporate this new propeller.
Kaiser Jeep Corporation is absorbed by American Motors Corp., which at the end of the decade already produces 660 cars a day (in 1974, AMC manufactured 175 Jeep per day, which gives an idea of the expansion of the 4x4).The company improves the CJ-5 and CJ-6 with more robust axes, more powerful and wider tires, and presents the renegade, a limited edition of the CJ-5.In 1973 the Quadra-Trac system arrives, the first automatic permanent permanent traction device.A year later, Cherokee, one of the most successful SUVs in the world.Although initially it shows an aesthetic similar to that of the Wagoneer, it soon takes its own identity.
The American car industry begins the eighties plunged into a deep crisis, but in Jeep the activity does not cease.In fact, in 1984 the new Wagoneer and Cherokee were presented;Now they have differentiated personalities and have sophisticated traction systems.
Given the demand for greater comfort and equipment by buyers, Jeep launches the Wrangler in 1986, the CJ-7 relief.It provides a spectacular improvement in comfort, 4x4 efficiency and inner aesthetics;In addition, it retains the durability and image of its predecessor.
Only a year later, Jeep changed hands again, being acquired by Chrysler Corporation on August 5, 1987.
In 2009 and after a deep crisis, the Fiat group is made with the majority control of the Chrysler group, to which Jeep belongs.The brand suffers a deep restructuring, despite which it does not lose its presence in Europe, as if it happens to Chrysler and Dodge.In 2013 and after the latest version released in 2011, Jeep premieres a new generation of the Grand Cherokee, which is a remarkable change, making it a more modern and technological car.In addition, the new Cherokee also premieres in 2013, denomination that the brand had stopped using after the cessation of its production in 2001.
