Every Jeep vehicle is authentic to its roots. You can spot a Jeep vehicle a mile away, with its trademark seven-slot grille, round headlamps and rugged stance. Every Jeep vehicle has a comfortable ride, in case you ever have to take it on road. Built into every modern Jeep vehicle is a blend of refined comfort, innovative features and state-of-the-art safety and security equipment. In 1912, the Willys-Overland Company was formed and, in addition to the Runabout, began producing the Willys-Knight series automobile and the popular "Whippet." As the result of Depression-era bankruptcy reorganization, the company became Willys-Overland Motors Inc, in 1936. In 1939, the idea of a universal military vehicle was in the making. The army needed a replacement for the vehicles they had been using. They used motorcycles and side-cars from World War l, and vehicles like the modified Ford Model T. The military wanted new standards for the vehicles they used. The military submitted the standards to American auto-makers. Around 135 companies had been invited to submit designs but only three did. They were Ford Motor company, Willys-Overland, and American Bantam Car Company. The initial contract for 70 jeeps was given to Bantam. Their model was a failure when tested by the military. World War II had already broken out. More prototypes were accepted from the other two companies. Willys-Overland model was the best, followed by Ford, and then Bantam. In all, more than 350,000 "Jeeps" were produced during the 1940s in support of the war effort. During the War, Ford built the vehicle using Willys-Overland blue prints. The first civilian Jeep vehicle, the CJ-2A, was produced in 1945. Willys advertisements marketed the Jeep as work-vehicle for farmers and construction workers. The CJ-2A was produced for four years, and in 1948 the CJ-3A was introduced. Jeep introduced the first automatic transmission in a four-wheel-drive vehicle in 1962, in their Wagoneer line (a predecessor to the Jeep Cherokee). The Jeep Wagoneer was also the first four-wheel-drive with an independent front suspension.

In 1970, Kaiser Jeep was purchased by American Motors Corporation. 4WD vehicles had become more popular than ever, and by 1978, the total Jeep vehicle production was up to 600 vehicles a day, over three times what it had been at the start of the decade. Since Willys obtained the first United States Trademark Registration for the Jeep name in 1950, ownership of the Jeep trademark, which is now registered internationally, has passed from Willys-Overland to Kaiser to American Motors Corporation and later Chrysler Corporation (in 1987). Today, with Mercedes Benz and Chrysler merge, the Jeep trademark belongs to Daimler Chrysler.

Jeep four-wheel-drive vehicles, the Wrangler, Cherokee and Grand Cherokee, are now being built and sold at the rate of over 600,000 each year. Daimler Chrysler manufactures Jeeps in the USA, Austria, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Venezuela, Argentina and Egypt.


Jeep Commander (starting at $28, 145)
Classic in design, engineered to perform as only Jeep vehicles can, the first with three rows of seats, and equipped with advanced safety technologies, Commander is indeed the leading edge of a Jeep product. Commander is the only SUV in its class to offer two V-8 engines. The 2008 Commander is available in three main trims ' Sport, Limited and Overland. All trims come with a choice of two-wheel or four-wheel-drive.

Jeep Compass (starting at $17, 055)
Compact and nimble, Jeep Compass brings a new sense of adventure to the compact SUV market, combining the packaging and functionality of an SUV with the performance, handling, fuel economy and price of a compact car or small pickup. Compass is the Jeep brand's first front-wheel-drive-based product with a fully-independent suspension for comfortable on-road ride, handling and fun-to-drive characteristics. The two-wheel-drive model equipped with the 2.4-liter World Engine and five-speed manual transaxle achieves 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

Jeep Grand Cherokee (starting at $29, 250)
The first Jeep Grand Cherokee created the luxury sport-utility market. Since then, many very strong competitors have intensified the full-size SUV market. Yet, none have matched Grand Cherokee's combination of legendary Jeep 4x4 capability, on-road refinement, technological innovations and safety features. For 2008, the Grand Cherokee has a host of new features. Starting with the improved engine, which delivers about 25 percent more fuel efficiency; to more polished exteriors and sophisticated interiors, the 2008 Grand Cherokee is new in every sense of the word.

Jeep Liberty (starting at $21, 025)
The Jeep Liberty has remained the leader in the mid-size sport-utility vehicle (SUV) market since its introduction in 2002. The popular mid-size SUV gives off-road enthusiasts and owners their own sense of personal freedom and capability that only defines the Jeep brand. All-new for 2008, the Jeep Liberty remains true to its legendary 4x4 heritage by offering two Jeep Trail Rated four-wheel-drive systems - Command-Trac and the all-new Selec-Trac II.

Jeep Patriot (starting at $16, 055)
The Jeep brand continues its expansion into untraveled territory with the new Jeep Patriot. This all-new compact sport-utility vehicle (SUV) delivers fun, freedom, utility and best-in-class Jeep 4x4 capability, as well as a new entry-level price point for the Jeep brand. Based on the Jeep Patriot concept, first introduced at the 2005 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, the latest Jeep Patriot is a modern interpretation of traditional Jeep styling. Jeep Patriot combines the packaging and interior flexibility of an SUV with the performance, handling, fuel economy and price of a compact car or small pickup.

Jeep Wrangler (starting at $19, 360)
A direct descendent of the original Jeep - the 1941 Willys MB - the all-new 2008 Jeep Wrangler evolves from more than 65 years of legendary 4x4 leadership. Building on the successful, original Jeep formula with an all-new frame, exterior and interior design, engine, safety and convenience features, Jeep Wrangler delivers more capability, interior space and comfort, refinement, power and open-air fun.

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited ($21, 280)
Featuring a one-of-a-kind, four-door open-air design, the all-new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited expands the Jeep experience to new dimensions. With room for five adult passengers - a Wrangler first - and the most cargo space ever offered in a Wrangler, the Unlimited combines class-leading off-road capability with everyday practicality. The all-new 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited grows to mid-size SUV proportions, offering even more comfort and space, versatility, open-air options, off-road capability, on-road refinement, convenience and safety features, and more power and fuel efficiency.