The plucky little Jeep started out service in World War II after American Bantam won the government design contest for a new general purpose 4-wheel drive vehicle. Because Bantam did not have a suitable engine and was unable to meet the huge supply orders Ford and Willy's-Overland where awarded the production contracts. GI's returning after the war needed cheap, reliable vehicles and many, already familiar with jeeps kept using them at home. Some of the most interesting civilianized Jeeps are found in the Philippines. Known as "Jeepneys," these brightly colored and heavily modified leftover military Jeeps have been repurposed for public transportation.
Following the war Willy's continued to sell CJs or Civilian Jeeps until Kaiser Motors bought the brand in 1953, American Motors purchased the money losing Jeep brand from Kaiser in 1970. Finally after French automaker renault failed to save AMC from failure Chrysler became owner of the mark in 1987.
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