Video: The Surprising WWII Origin of Jeep Vehicles – How WW2 Created an Automotive Legend

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The Surprising WWII Origin of Jeep Vehicles – How WW2 Created an Automotive Legend

Transcript:
In 1940, with war looming, the U.S. Army needed a fast, tough, all-terrain vehicle for combat. They sent out an urgent request to American automakers: design a light reconnaissance car in just 49 days. Only two companies responded—Bantam and Willys-Overland—but the final design, refined with help from Ford, became the Willys MB, the vehicle we now call the Jeep.

With four-wheel drive, rugged suspension, and a simple yet powerful engine, this vehicle could tackle anything—mud, snow, rivers, even enemy fire. Soldiers used it for everything: troop transport, medical evacuations, even mounting machine guns.

By the end of the war, over 600,000 Jeeps had been built, earning the nickname “The GI’s best friend.” After WWII, returning veterans wanted one for civilian life, leading to the launch of the Jeep brand, now a global icon.

What started as a wartime necessity became one of the most legendary off-road vehicles in history, proving that military innovation can shape the world long after the battles are over.