The Jeep brand of vehicles was quite literally born for battle. During the 1940s, the U.S. Army commissioned over a hundred automakers with the task of designing WWII-ready light reconnaissance vehicles. Only three car manufacturers responded to the army’s bid, and Jeep’s original parent company — Willys Overland, was one of them. The carmaker was awarded the contract, and so, the first Willys MB joined the U.S. Army’s ranks — eventually adopting the Jeep trademark.
To say that the Jeep 4x4 was well-received by GIs would be an understatement. A Jeep named “Old Faithful” even received a Purple Heart after being wounded in battle in 1943. Although Old Faithful retired from active duty, hundreds of other Jeeps continued their service.
As Jeep 4x4 vehicles gained traction on the battlefield, they also garnered attention in the public eye. In 1945, the first civilian Jeep brand vehicle hit the streets in America, becoming an instant success. Shortly thereafter, Jeep unveiled its first utility vehicle, medium-duty truck, and sporty convertible — the Jeep Station Wagon, Jeep Brand Truck, and Jeepster, respectively.
In the decades since, Jeep vehicles joined the Korean War effort, introduced resort-exclusive models called “Gala” and “Surrey,” and continued revolutionizing the consumer automobile market. Today, Jeep brand cars are still recognized for their brave spirit and comfortable features, as evidenced by the tens of thousands of Jeep vehicles on the road.
If you own a Jeep, you’re in good company — in 2018 alone, the brand sold almost one million vehicles, many of which we service at Firestone Complete Auto Care. In recent years, the brand has released several crowd-pleasing models, including the Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, Grand Cherokee, and Jeep Wrangler. Today’s Jeep owners enjoy their car’s adventurous spirit, but even rugged 4x4 Jeeps need a little tender love and care.
If you love your Jeep, you want to keep it running newer, longer. One of the best ways to accomplish this is with proper Jeep maintenance and professional Jeep repairs. At Firestone Complete Auto Care, we know what you mean when you say, “It’s a Jeep thing,” and we can help you figure out what your Jeep needs to perform. If you’re not sure what type of tires are best for your Jeep Wrangler or whether your Grand Cherokee needs a new battery, our trained auto technicians can help--even with wheel alignments for Jeep models with and without Adaptive Cruise Control systems.
Help keep your Jeep car, truck, or SUV in fighting shape. Select your Jeep model and year for important information such as your Jeep’s manufacturer-approved maintenance schedule, recommended oil change intervals, and top-notch Jeep tire options. Firestone Complete Auto Care is a great place to go for Jeep repairs, Jeep maintenance, and more.