The original Jeep cut its teeth on the battlefield in World War II as a light-duty military vehicle, built for the United States Army to fill its need for versatile, rugged reconnaissance. Willys-Overland Motors, along with Ford, played a crucial role in mass-producing the Willys MB design, aka the Jeep, for military use. Compact, robust, and capable of navigating a wide array of terrain, the Jeep was indispensable to the military, and its success in war led soldiers to grow fond of it. In peacetime, its off-road capabilities and reliability appealed to civilians, too. Sensing the clear business opportunity, Willys introduced a version called the CJ (“Civilian Jeep”), marking the beginning of the Jeep’s evolution into the most popular choice in off-roading for everyday motorists. Over the years, the brand changed hands with Kaiser Motors and later American Motors Corporation (AMC) taking over. In addition to various versions of the CJ, Jeep spawned other popular models like the Jeepster, Wagoneer and Cherokee. In 1987, Chrysler acquired the Jeep brand and today it falls under the Stellantis umbrella.