Jeep® - History of the brand

History of the brand

1941 Willys-Overland company won the tender for delivery of a light and reliable general purpose car for the US army, in which Ford and Bantam brands also participated. Finally the preference was given to the Willys MB car, in particular because of its low price ($738.74). Thus, as birthday of a jeep consider on July 23, 1941 when the contract on production of Willys MB cars during World War II was signed. The nickname "jeep", according to one of the versions, originates from GP (General Purpose). This abbreviation was used for marking Willys MB in the quartermaster documentation.
1941-1943 Jeeps appeared to be so the universal that most unexpected applications were found for them. They were used for transportation of wounded, for installation of machine guns, as reconnaissance cars, as trucks, cars for the officers, for transportation of weapons, for laying the communication lines and even as taxi. Willys MB were used everywhere - from transportation of wounded from the battlefield to delivery of 37-mm anti-tank guns to the front line. More than 600,000 jeeps were produced during the war years – a weighty proof of the extraordinary popularity of this car.
1944 The first Jeep for "civil" purposes is developed - the CJ-1A model. Abbreviation CJ meant Civilian Jeep.
1945 CJ-2A - the industry-first "station wagon" car with an all-metal body is launched. It cost only $1,090, despite such ‘attributes of luxury’ as a back door and automatic screen wipers.
1948 A car for leisure is created – two-door phaeton Jeepster equipped with a 4-cylinder engine.
1949 All-wheel drive station wagon of Willys-Overland company with a 6-cylinder engine designated the great future of 4x4 cars, having become the predecessor of the Jeep Cherokee.
1950-1952 The international Jeep trademark is registered