Kaiser Jeep
Encyclopedia
Kaiser Jeep was the result of the merger between the Kaiser-Frazer Corporation, an independent automaker
based in Willow Run
, Michigan
, and the Toledo, Ohio
-based Willys-Overland Company.
Founded by John North Willys, Willys-Overland had survived World War II
by producing the Jeep
vehicle for the armed forces, and Jeep was considered the crown jewel of Willys-Overland.
While Joseph W. Frazer
had left Kaiser-Frazer by 1950, Frazer had been the one-time president of Willys-Overland. Going it alone, Henry J. Kaiser
pursued a merger between Kaiser Industries and Willys-Overland, which was arranged in 1953. Kaiser's finances ultimately dictated that he could no longer compete with the established manufacturers in the passenger car business in the US, but he saw value in Willys' Jeep line.
In 1955, Kaiser phased out both the Kaiser and Willys passenger car lines, and shipped the dies to Argentina
where the joint venture with the Argentina Government owned Industrias Kaiser Argentina
(IKA) continued to build cars through 1977 when Renault took over.
Under the name "Willys Motors", the Jeep-based truck line continued in the United States including the CJ
(Civilian Jeep) Series, all steel station wagon
and forward-control
FC-150 and FC-170 models that were introduced in 1957. In 1962, Willys introduced the Jeep Wagoneer
as a 1963 model to replace the 1940s-style Jeep station wagons. Designed by industrial designer Brooks Stevens
, the Wagoneer (later known as the Grand Wagoneer) would remain in production with the major architecture totally unchanged until 1991, and is credited with being the first true American sport-utility vehicle (SUV
).
As part of a general push to place all of their corporate holdings under the Kaiser name, in 1963 the company changed the name of Willys Motors to Kaiser Jeep Corporation.
In 1967, Kaiser Jeep resurrected the Jeepster (in concept; the vehicle was all-new, albeit loosely based on the CJ), which had been produced by Willys-Overland from 1948 to 1950. It was available in three models (roadster, convertible and pickup) and proved to be moderately popular.
American Motors Corporation (AMC), which was looking to expand its product line, had on a couple of occasions entered into negotiations with Kaiser executives, with the intention of purchasing the company. The deal was finally consummated in 1970, and Kaiser Jeep became "Jeep Corporation", a wholly owned subsidiary of AMC.
American Motors would be bought out by Chrysler Corporation
in 1987, and the Jeep line was purchased along with the rest of the company. Currently, Jeep is still an active brand of Chrysler Group LLC
.
Automaker
The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles, and is one of the world's most important economic sectors by revenue....
based in Willow Run
Willow Run
The Willow Run manufacturing plant, located between Ypsilanti and Belleville, Michigan, was constructed during World War II by Ford Motor Company for the mass production of the B-24 Liberator military aircraft....
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, and the Toledo, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
-based Willys-Overland Company.
Founded by John North Willys, Willys-Overland had survived World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
by producing the Jeep
Jeep
Jeep is an automobile marque of Chrysler . The first Willys Jeeps were produced in 1941 with the first civilian models in 1945, making it the oldest off-road vehicle and sport utility vehicle brand. It inspired a number of other light utility vehicles, such as the Land Rover which is the second...
vehicle for the armed forces, and Jeep was considered the crown jewel of Willys-Overland.
While Joseph W. Frazer
Joseph W. Frazer
Joseph Washington Frazer was a 20th-century American automobile company executive employed in succession by Chrysler, Willys-Overland, Graham-Paige and Kaiser-Frazer Corporation...
had left Kaiser-Frazer by 1950, Frazer had been the one-time president of Willys-Overland. Going it alone, Henry J. Kaiser
Henry J. Kaiser
Henry John Kaiser was an American industrialist who became known as the father of modern American shipbuilding. He established the Kaiser Shipyard which built Liberty ships during World War II, after which he formed Kaiser Aluminum and Kaiser Steel. Kaiser organized Kaiser Permanente health care...
pursued a merger between Kaiser Industries and Willys-Overland, which was arranged in 1953. Kaiser's finances ultimately dictated that he could no longer compete with the established manufacturers in the passenger car business in the US, but he saw value in Willys' Jeep line.
In 1955, Kaiser phased out both the Kaiser and Willys passenger car lines, and shipped the dies to Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
where the joint venture with the Argentina Government owned Industrias Kaiser Argentina
Industrias Kaiser Argentina
Industrias Kaiser Argentina S.A. or IKA was an Argentine motor company established in 1956 in Córdoba Province as a joint venture with Kaiser Motors of the United States....
(IKA) continued to build cars through 1977 when Renault took over.
Under the name "Willys Motors", the Jeep-based truck line continued in the United States including the CJ
Jeep CJ
The Willys CJ is a public version of the famous Willys Military Jeep from World War II.The first CJ prototype was introduced in 1944 by Willys, and the same basic vehicle stayed in production through seven variants and three corporate parents until 1986.A variant of the CJ is still in production...
(Civilian Jeep) Series, all steel station wagon
Willys Jeep Wagon
The Willys Jeep Station Wagon, introduced in 1946 by Willys-Overland Motors is the first mass-market all-steel station wagon designed and built as a passenger vehicle and is arguably the world's first popular sport utility vehicle or SUV The Willys Jeep Station Wagon, introduced in 1946 by...
and forward-control
Jeep Forward Control
The Jeep Forward Control is a truck that was produced by Willys and then Kaiser Jeep from 1956 to 1965. It was also assembled in other international markets. The layout featured a cab over design.- Design :...
FC-150 and FC-170 models that were introduced in 1957. In 1962, Willys introduced the Jeep Wagoneer
Jeep Wagoneer
The Jeep Wagoneer was an early sport utility vehicle and the first luxury 4x4, produced under varying marques from 1963 to 1991. It was noteworthy for being in production for more than 28 years with only minor mechanical changes...
as a 1963 model to replace the 1940s-style Jeep station wagons. Designed by industrial designer Brooks Stevens
Brooks Stevens
Clifford Brooks Stevens was an American industrial designer of home furnishings, appliances, automobiles and motorcycles — as well as a graphic designer and stylist....
, the Wagoneer (later known as the Grand Wagoneer) would remain in production with the major architecture totally unchanged until 1991, and is credited with being the first true American sport-utility vehicle (SUV
Sport utility vehicle
A sport utility vehicle is a generic marketing term for a vehicle similar to a station wagon, but built on a light-truck chassis. It is usually equipped with four-wheel drive for on- or off-road ability, and with some pretension or ability to be used as an off-road vehicle. Not all four-wheel...
).
As part of a general push to place all of their corporate holdings under the Kaiser name, in 1963 the company changed the name of Willys Motors to Kaiser Jeep Corporation.
In 1967, Kaiser Jeep resurrected the Jeepster (in concept; the vehicle was all-new, albeit loosely based on the CJ), which had been produced by Willys-Overland from 1948 to 1950. It was available in three models (roadster, convertible and pickup) and proved to be moderately popular.
American Motors Corporation (AMC), which was looking to expand its product line, had on a couple of occasions entered into negotiations with Kaiser executives, with the intention of purchasing the company. The deal was finally consummated in 1970, and Kaiser Jeep became "Jeep Corporation", a wholly owned subsidiary of AMC.
American Motors would be bought out by Chrysler Corporation
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
in 1987, and the Jeep line was purchased along with the rest of the company. Currently, Jeep is still an active brand of Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
.