Does Ford have anything to do with Jeep?
Ford and Jeep are not directly related in terms of ownership or corporate partnerships. Jeep is a brand owned by Stellantis, while Ford Motor Company operates independently of Stellantis. In practice, they compete in several vehicle segments, but there is no formal tie between the two brands.
To understand the landscape, it helps to look at who currently controls Jeep, a brief outline of Jeep’s ownership history, and how Ford fits into today’s automotive market. The following sections lay out the key points.
Current ownership and relationship
These points explain the present-day corporate alignment and what it means for Ford and Jeep today.
- Jeep is a brand owned by Stellantis, the multinational automaker formed in 2021 from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Groupe PSA (PSA Group).
- Ford Motor Company is not part of Stellantis and does not own Jeep.
- There are no active joint ventures or cross-ownership arrangements between Ford and Jeep as of 2025.
In short, Jeep and Ford operate under separate corporate umbrellas and remain competitors in several market segments without a direct ownership or partnership tie.
Historical context and ownership changes
Jeep’s ownership has changed hands several times over the decades, but Ford has never owned Jeep or held a controlling stake in it.
- Jeep’s brand history has passed through multiple parent companies, including American Motors Corporation (AMC), Chrysler, DaimlerChrysler, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), and finally Stellantis.
- Ford has remained an independent automaker throughout this period, competing with Jeep and other brands rather than owning them.
- These shifts reflect broader industry consolidation rather than any direct link between Ford and Jeep.
These historical moves illustrate how the auto industry has restructured over time, but they do not establish any formal connection between Ford and Jeep.
Impact on consumers and market
What this means for buyers and the competitive landscape today is straightforward: Ford and Jeep are separate brands with distinct product lines and strategies. While both brands push into SUVs, trucks, and off-road-capable vehicles, they do so independently under different corporate controls and product roadmaps.
- Product planning and model lineups are developed within each brand’s own corporate framework, not under a shared ownership umbrella.
- The two brands compete for similar customer segments, particularly in the SUV and off-road markets.
- Industry-wide supplier relationships and technology partnerships exist across the sector, but there is no formal Ford–Jeep collaboration.
For consumers, the practical takeaway is that choosing between Ford and Jeep comes down to individual model preferences, features, and brand loyalty, not corporate ties.
Summary
Jeep is part of Stellantis, and Ford operates as an independent automaker. There is no ownership stake, no formal partnership, and no joint venture linking Ford to Jeep as of 2025. The brands remain separate competitors in the global automotive market, each pursuing its own strategy and product lineup.
What brands are owned by Ford?
Ford currently owns the Ford and Lincoln brands, along with the Motorcraft auto parts brand. In the past, Ford also owned brands like Mercury, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo, but has since sold them or discontinued them.
Currently owned brands
- Ford: The company's main brand, offering a wide range of vehicles worldwide.
- Lincoln: Ford's luxury vehicle division.
- Motorcraft: A brand that sells auto parts.
- Troller: A Brazilian off-road vehicle manufacturer that Ford acquired in 2007.
Formerly owned brands
- Mercury: A mid-priced brand that Ford discontinued in 2011.
- Jaguar: Sold to Tata Motors in 2008.
- Land Rover: Also sold to Tata Motors in 2008.
- Volvo: Sold to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group in 2010.
Are Jeep and Ford related?
No, Ford does not own Jeep. The Jeep brand is currently owned by Stellantis, a multinational corporation formed in 2021 from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and the French PSA Group.
- Ford's role: Ford did produce military Jeeps during WWII under contract for Willys, which held the original contract for the vehicle. However, Ford never owned the Jeep brand itself.
- Jeep's ownership history: After the war, Willys produced civilian Jeeps and was eventually sold to Kaiser Jeep, then to American Motors Corporation (AMC) in 1970.
- Current ownership: Chrysler bought AMC in 1987, and the brand became part of Chrysler. Later, Fiat took over Chrysler, forming FCA, and the merger of FCA with PSA Group created Stellantis, the current owner of the Jeep brand.
Was the Jeep made by Ford?
No, Ford does not make Jeep. Jeep is currently a brand under the multinational corporation Stellantis, which was formed in 2021 from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and the PSA Group. While Ford produced Jeeps during World War II, it was not the original designer and never owned the brand.
- Current ownership: Jeep is owned by Stellantis, which was formed when Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) merged with PSA Group.
- Historical ownership: The Jeep brand has a long history of ownership, including Willys-Overland, Kaiser-Jeep, and American Motors Corporation (AMC). Chrysler acquired the brand from AMC in 1987.
- WWII connection: During World War II, the U.S. military contracted both Willys and Ford to build Jeeps because the demand was too high for Willys to meet alone. The two companies created a standardized, interchangeable design, but Willys is credited with the original vehicle.
Did Ford ever build a Jeep?
Produced from 1941 to 1945, the jeep evolved post-war into the civilian Jeep CJ, and inspired an entire category of recreational four wheel drive vehicles. The name “jeep” is generally believed to be derived from the Ford's vehicle initials – GP. This Ford GPW Jeep was built in 1943.
