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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
Production of the FC-150 truck begins.
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.
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 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.
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.
Willys CJ-V35 is developed for the US Marines. This vehicle was designed to be driven in deep water. Over 1000 units are delivered prior to the start of the Korean War. Only 29 of these vehicles are known to still be in existence.
Willys develops the M38 / MC for the US Army. Similar to the CJ-V35, this vehicle is delivered to support troops in the Korean War.
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 CJ-3A is introduced, and more than 132,000 are made before the production ends in 1953.
Production begins on the Willys Jeepster. Only 19,000 vehicles are manufactured from 1948 to 1950.
The first Land Rover prototype is developed by the Wilks family using many spare Willys MB parts.
Production begins on the Willys Jeep Truck. From 1947 to 1965, more than 200,000 are manufactured.
Production begins on the Willys Jeep Wagon. Over 300,000 are manufactured between 1946 and 1965. This vehicle is the first 4-wheel drive wagon and is the predecessor to today's Grand Cherokee and Commander.
Willys-Overland begins producing the Civilian Jeep (CJ) line, with the introduction of the CJ-2A model. 214,202 units were produced between 1945 and 1949.
The US Army contracts Willys to develop a long-wheelbase version of the MB. Willys responds by developing the MLW-1 and MLW-2 prototypes.
The CJ-1 is developed. This is the first prototype of the CJ line. No CJ-1s are known to still be in existence.