Late last month, Jeep celebrated an important milestone in its prosperous career- the automaker’s 80th-anniversary. Back in 1941, Willys-Overland Co. signed a contract with the US War Department to build its first General Purpose Vehicle, Jeep. Since then, Jeep, as a brand, has garnered attention and love from all over the world. So, here’s what the Ohio-based automaker has planned for its future, and we will also take a quick look at our favorite highlights from the company’s journey so far.
The Jeep brand CEO, Christian Meunier, announced that Jeep will celebrate its 80th anniversary by continuing its transition to electrification. Meunier confirmed that Jeep is committed to making the brand “the greenest and most exciting SUV brand.”
Jeep also shortlisted a group of hundred enthusiasts and asked them to share their most memorable moments from Jeep’s history. Obviously, the company was bombarded with responses, so Jeep decided to sift through them and released a list of 12 moments.
Our favorites from the list include the reboot of Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, which are not only luxurious SUVs but also offer impressive off-road capability. Another great mention is the fact that Bob Lutz, then President of Chrysler, shattered a building window at the 1992 Detroit Auto Show to introduce the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Other honorable mentions include #6 The birth of a legend – The 1986 introduction of the Jeep Wrangler, #9 Jeep Jamboree – the “Granddaddy” of all 4-wheel events introduced in 1963, and #10 The first SUV in 1946, Willys-Overland introduced the industry’s first all-steel-body station wagon.
Jeep gave its customers 80 years of exciting off-roading experiences to cherish, and the company promises to keep it that way even after it adopts electrification. Meunier revealed that future Jeeps will offer an exciting off-roading experience in almost complete silence.
With all of that said, we realize the majority of the Off Road Xtreme audience is mostly traditional and just like us is grasping onto any spare unleaded fuel drums. Whatever the future holds, off-roading 4×4 enthusiasts will be able to enjoy many forms of vehicle recreation no matter the fuel source.