As a Jeep owner one of the questions may be: Is Jeep a GM product? Jeep is a brand of American Automobile and a business unit of FCA US LLC, a subsidiary that’s wholly owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is an Italian-American corporation and is one of the world’s biggest automakers. This corporation also owns various popular automotive brands like Chrysler, Fiat, Dodge, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati.
However, Jeep has not always been made by FCA from the beginning. It has changed hands several times over the past few decades. On the other hand, General Motors is an American multinational corporation that has its headquarters in Detroit.
It designs, manufactures, and distributes vehicles and vehicle parts. If you are wondering if Jeep is GM, you have come to the right page. This text provides an overview of who has owned Jeep since it was established.
Who Makes Jeep?
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles also goes by the acronym FCA.
It produces both passenger and commercial vehicles under the following brands:
- Alfa Romeo,
- Dodge,
- Ferrari,
- Jeep,
- Maserati, and
- Abarth.
The company owns twenty-one different car models including the following popular ones: the Alfa Romeo, Abarth, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee and other Jeep Models.
Jeep Owners Before FCA
Willys-Overland introduced the first vehicles called Jeeps as military vehicles back in the 1940s. However, Willy was unable to trademark the official “Jeep” name until June 13, 1950.
In 1953, Henry J Kaiser purchased Willys-Overlander for $60.8 million, and the company changed to Willys Motors Inc. It later became Kaiser-Jeep Corporation in 1963. In 1970, the company was then sold to the American Motors Corporation (AMC) for about $75 million.
When Did Chrysler Buy Jeep?
Chrysler purchased Jeep in 1987 after buying the AMC for $1.5 billion. They continued to make more Jeeps until they merged with Daimler-Benz in 1998.
In this case, Daimler purchased Chrysler in a merger of equals for about $36 billion, and they became Daimler Chrysler AG. Daimler-Chrysler owned Jeep for about eight years, and then they offloaded the company in 2007.
Jeep Owner in 2007
In 2007, Chrysler sales had gone down, and gas prices were increasing rapidly. This situation made it tough for the company to compete against GM and Ford.
A private equity firm, Cerberus Capital Management, acquired Jeep and owned it from 2007 to 2009 when Daimler Chrysler sold its majority stake to the firm. Unfortunately, Cerberus went bankrupt after owning Jeep for only two years.
Who Owns Jeep Today?
Today, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles own Jeep since 2014 when Fiat gained 100% ownership in Chrysler. Fiat and Chrysler merged to make Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. FCA also owns Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ram, and Maserati.
Where Are Jeeps Made?
While most Jeeps are made in America, Jeep has ten plants in six countries, and they sell vehicles in more than 140 countries across the world.
These manufacturing plants are located in the United States, Brazil. China, Mexico, Italy, and India. Most of these international facilities make transmission and powertrain parts, but most of the assembly happens in the US.
Which Jeeps Are Manufactured in Italy?
While most Jeep assembly occurs in the US, there are some models like the Jeep Renegade, that are assembled in Melfi, Italy. Fiat 500X is closely related to the Jeep Renegade and is also made in Melfi, Italy.
Jeep Wranglers are manufactured in Toledo, Ohio, in the United States at the Toledo Assembly Complex. This facility has been making Jeep Wranglers for many years, and it employs nearly 7,000 workers.
It has 3.64 million square feet of floor space on 312 acres. The facility comprises the Toledo North and South Assembly plants, and Jeep Wrangler processing occurs at the Toledo South Plant.
Today, the Toledo Assembly Complex remains the starting point for Jeep Wranglers, and it provides various economic benefits to the area.
Jeep Ownership Current Condition
Jeep is currently owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. However, FCA signed a deal in 2019 with a European car alliance known as PSA.
PSA is a French automobile manufacturer that makes Peugeot, DS, Vauxhall, Opel, and Citroen. According to CNBC, FCA and PSA will become the fourth largest car manufacturers once their 50-50 merger deal is complete. This merge will help reduce costs and make both companies more competitive.
Wrapping Up on is jeep a GM product?
If you are still wondering if Jeep is GM, the simple answer is no. Jeep is owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. General Motors Company has never owned Jeep, even though it’s one of the worlds largest automobile manufacturers.
