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Who Owns Jeep? Timeline, Manufacturing & FAQ

Jeep is an American automobile company owned by the American-Italian Fiat Chrysler and French PSA Group. Both of these companies fall under the new name Stellantis, a merger company that is the official owner of Jeep. There is a rich history of the ownership of Jeep as the company has existed since 1942 when it was made to serve as a military vehicle only. Since then, Jeep has had many owners and different brand names, but in 2021 it finally ended up belonging to Stellantis.

In the article below, we will talk more about the owner of Jeep currently and the brief history of its ownership.

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The Beginnings of the Brand

The Jeep brand dates back to 1941 when the American government requested a military vehicle that could be designed in only 49 days, and thus the first models of the Jeep brand served as military vehicles. The Army received about 145 Jeeps, and every service in the US Army used these vehicles. After the war ended, Jeep began to manufacture and distribute vehicles worldwide, and many other manufacturers were inspired by its design.

Willys Jeep in an open elevated area
Image By: morviduk, Pixabay

Who Owns Jeep?

Jeep is owned by a global automotive company formed by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, merging with the PSA Group. The two brands are now under the Stellantis umbrella since 2021. The Fiat Chrysler Automobiles company is based in Turin, Italy; nevertheless, Jeep is an American brand. The headquarters of Jeep is in Auburn Hills, Michigan, but the Jeep’s true home is in Toledo, Ohio, where the first iconic Wrangler came to be.

Timeline of The Ownership of Jeep

Willys-Overland

In the very beginning, Jeeps were produced by Willys-Overland, for military purposes only. This company only managed to get a trademark for Jeep in 1950.


Kaiser Jeep Corporation

Willys-Overland sold the company to Kaiser-Jeep Corporation in 1953. Even though the company was named Willys Motors, it changed to Kaiser-Jeep Corporation in 1963.


American Motors Corporation (AMC)

After being owned by Kaiser Jeep Corporation for several years, American Motors Corporation or AMC bought it in 1970.


Chrysler

Chrysler bought AMC in 1987 and continued to produce Jeeps when they merged with Daimler-Benz in 1998.

Jeep Wrangler
Image Credit: Dan Gomer, Unsplash

DaimlerChrysler AG

DaimlerChrysler AG was the new name for the company until they offloaded it in 2007.


Cerberus Capital Management

Cerberus Capital Management was a private equity firm owned by Steve Feinberg, who bought most of Chrysler’s stakes in 2007. Steve Feinberg promised to revive the company, but when gas prices started to skyrocket and sales decreased, Cerberus went bankrupt in 2009.


Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

In 2014 Chrysler was bought by Fiat, offering to save the company after bankruptcy. This began with Fiat buying 20% of Chrysler’s stakes, and by 2014 they owned 100% of the company. The new name of the merged company was Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.


Stellantis

At the beginning of 2021, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles merged with PSA Group. Both of these brands are now under the umbrella of the leading global automaker Stellantis.

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Where Is Jeep Manufactured?

Jeeps are made in factories worldwide, in six countries:

  • America
  • Italy
  • China
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • India

The international facilities are responsible for making powertrain and transmission components, while the United States is responsible for most of the assembly. While the Jeep Renegade is assembled in Italy, the Cherokee, Compass, Gladiator, and the famous Wranglers are produced in the US. The Jeep Wrangler is manufactured in Toledo, Ohio, and it has been this way for the past few decades.

car and road divider

Final Thoughts

The history of Jeep’s ownership is fascinating, with decades of long and hard work on the brand and many owners trying to succeed at improving it. If it weren’t for the Jeep’s long and rich history, the company wouldn’t be what it is today—an iconic, American brand.


Featured Image Credit: Cole Ankney, Unsplash

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