Jeep: 75 Years of Work and Play
CALABOGIE, Ontario– World War II had already been raging for two years when the American government decided to get involved. The armed forces complained that their battle vehicles were not up to par—particularly their all-terrain utility vehicles. In July 1940, they launched a call for tenders to some 135 manufacturers for vehicles to replace their aging Ford T units and motorcycles.
The specifications were very strict, saying the body had to be rectangular, the mechanics had to incorporate all-wheel drive, the windshield had to fold down and it couldn’t weigh more than 590 kilograms. This last requirement would never be met. The first Jeep was actually 920 kilograms. The bidding companies included Probst, Ford and Willys, with Willys coming out as the winner.
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This led to the development of the Willys MB, the precursor to today’s Wrangler. Who would have thought that this vehicle would still be so popular 75 years later? This vehicle also marked the birth of a major brand. When the war ended, Jeep decided to modify it military vehicle for a broader range of uses.
The CJ-2A became the perfect vehicle for farm deliveries and construction sites. Their most popular model of all time was the CJ-5 released in 1955. Twenty-one years later, it was replaced by the CJ-7. Between these two icons, we witnessed the introduction of the Gladiator pickup with cargo box, Wagoneer and Cherokee. In 1984, the Grand Wagoneer would become the benchmark for the luxury SUV category.
Subsequently, a host of successful vehicles hauled money into the coffers of the brand’s owner, FCA. Thanks to Jeep’s success, Fiat Chrysler Group ranked first among automakers in Canada last year. Some 1.2 million Jeep units have been sold worldwide in 2016—their best results ever! Jeep models are sold in 160 countries.
In Canada, the Cherokee dominates the brand’s sales. The Wrangler follows closely behind. With this success, Jeep can afford to set some lofty goals. If sales continue on the same trajectory that they’ve been holding since 2009, they should hit the 2 million unit mark by 2018. This is based on the assumption sales of SUVs will continue to increase for all manufacturers. According to the most recent data, some 19.5 million utility vehicles are expected to be sold around the world this year. By 2020, this number could be as high as 23.1 million.
But enough with the numbers. Let’s talk about the commemorative event we attended with Jeep’s current lineup (minus the Compass and Patriot, which will soon be retired after many years of loyal service). I treated myself to the Renegade for the drive through the mountains. Its off-road capabilities totally blew me away. This agile and versatile machine lacks nothing except maybe a bit more ground clearance for the Trail mode. But it goes without saying that the most capable of the bunch was the Wrangler, regardless of the circumstances.
After spending a half day in nature, we were invited the Calabogie track for a few laps in the Grand Cherokee SRT. They wanted to showcase the versatility of some models, including the most luxurious in the family. Clearly, this vehicle appeals to a totally different group of buyers than the Wrangler. Jeep also set the stage for the upcoming arrival of the Hellcat version of the Grand Cherokee. It’s a 700-horsepower beast!
The day ended on a nostalgic note with a trial of a 1944 Willys used in WWII. The organizers had to borrow it from the Chrysler museum. Just a few kilometres later, we realized just how far the vehicles have progressed in 75 years. Jeep is here to stay and Fiat Chrysler Group knows just how important the brand is to its big family. And they’ve got plenty of exciting projects up their sleeve to prove it. Happy birthday, Jeep!