Jeep is an American automobile brand that is now owned by the Stellantis corporation. Jeep has been part of Chrysler since 1987, when Chrysler acquired the brand from American Motors Corporation. Jeep's product range currently consists of sport utility vehicles, including both crossovers and fully off-road capable SUVs, as well as a pickup truck. Some of Jeep's vehicles are considered luxury SUVs, and the brand has been a top seller for Fiat-Chrysler in the United States. Jeep has over 2400 dealerships in the U.S. and is estimated to be worth between $22 and $33.5 billion if it were to be spun off into a separate company. Christian Meunier is the current President of the Jeep brand worldwide.
History
Before 1940, the term "jeep" was used by the U.S. Army as slang for new recruits or vehicles, but in 1941 the Jeep that went into production for World War II specifically tied the name to this light military 4x4, making it one of the oldest four-wheel drive mass-production vehicles now known as SUVs. The Jeep became the primary light 4-wheel-drive vehicle of the United States Armed Forces and the Allies during World War II and the postwar period, and the term "jeep" became common worldwide in the wake of the war. The Jeep marque has been headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, since Willys-Overland launched production of the first CJ or Civilian Jeep branded models there in 1945. The Jeep Wrangler series has remained in production since 1986 and is as central to the brand's identity as the 911 is to Porsche. The term "jeep" continues to be used as a generic term for vehicles inspired by the Jeep that are suitable for use on rough terrain.
