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History Of The Jeep Brand

The Jeep brand has a long and storied lineage. The history started decades before World War II and the brand has seen a multitude of owners. In the section below, you will find some notable milestones of the brand's existence.

Year Event
Willys Engineering develops a prototype vehicle known as the X-98.
Willys develops the CJ-4 prototype. Only one of these vehicles produced. The vehicle is still in existence.
Willys develops the CJ-4M and CJ-4MA (long-wheelbase) military prototypes. These vehicles are similar to the CJ-4 prototype but are outfitted with a snorkel, blackout lights, etc.
The M38A1 begins production. This vehicle is designed to carry a rear-mounted 105mm or 106mm recoilless rifle.
The Willys Aero compact car begins production.
The BC Bobcat lightweight combat vehicle prototype is developed. This vehicle never goes into production.
Kaiser buys Willys-Overland and changes name to Willys Motor Company.
The CJ-3B goes into production. By 1968, over 155,494 are sold. Over 50 years later, this vehicle is still in production today, under license, by Mahindra of India.
CJ-5 debuts at the start of its three-decade run. 603,303 units are produced over this time period.
The M170 begins production. This vehicle is outfitted as either field ambulance or a six-man troop carrier.
The USAF DJ is produced for non-combat maintenance and delivery work for use at US military bases.
The CJ-6 is introduced. Based on the CJ-5, the vehicle features a wheelbase that is 20" longer. Only 50,172 units are produced.
The DJ-3a debuts as a two-wheel drive version of the CJ-3a. This vehicle is used for postal delivery and a surrey-topped version is developed for use as a tour vehicle.
The CJ-3B long-wheelbase vehicle begins production under license by several manufacturers around the world. This long-wheelbase vehicle is never produced in the United States.
Production of the FC-150 truck begins.
Production of the FC-170 truck begins.
Production of the FC-170 DRW (dual rear wheel) truck begins.
The M151 begins production under a joint effort of Jeep, AM General, and General Motors.
The M606 is developed from the CJ-3B. Heavy-duty options are added to make the vehicle suitable for military use.
Company changes name to Kaiser-Jeep Corporation.
The J-Series Wagoneer debuts. Larger than the Willys Wagon, this vehicle is the first four wheel drive SUV featuring an automatic transmission.
The CJ-5A and CJ-6A Tuxedo Park editions begin production.
The Gladiator J-Series pickup debuts as a replacement for the Willys Pickup.
Kaiser-Jeep discontinues production of Willys wagons and trucks, retiring the Willys name with the line.
The DJ-5 replaces the DJ-3a model for use as a delivery and tour vehicle.