What years did Ford make Jeep?
Ford built Jeeps from 1941 to 1945.
During World War II, the Jeep became a symbol of mobile versatility for Allied forces. The vehicle’s design originated with Willys-Overland as the MB, and Ford produced a variant known as the GPW under contract. Ford’s wartime Jeep program ran from 1941 through 1945, after which production and branding shifted to other companies as the war ended.
How Ford fit into the Jeep story
To understand Ford’s role, it helps to place it within the broader context of wartime Jeep production. The GPW was Ford’s version of the light, four-wheeled vehicle used for reconnaissance and utility tasks, produced in parallel with Willys-Overland’s MB and other designs that would become part of the Jeep family.
GPW vs MB: a wartime distinction
The jeep name and lineage largely trace back to two original designs during World War II. Willys-Overland built the MB, while Ford produced the GPW under contract. Both designs were essential to Allied operations, but Ford’s involvement was specifically tied to the GPW variant during the 1941–1945 window.
Key date snapshot below shows the core production years for Ford’s Jeep work during the war.
- 1941–1945 — Ford built GPW Jeeps under contract with Willys-Overland; this period covers the main wartime Jeep production attributed to Ford.
These years mark the window when Ford’s facilities contributed to the mass production of Jeeps for Allied forces; after 1945, civilian Jeep production and subsequent brand movements were handled by other corporate entities.
After the war: Jeep’s ongoing legacy
Following 1945, Jeep production and branding shifted through Kaiser-Jeep, then American Motors, and later Chrysler, with civilian CJ models continuing and the brand’s identity evolving under new ownership. Ford did not reemerge as a primary civilian Jeep manufacturer in the postwar era.
Summary
Ford’s official Jeep production occurred during World War II, specifically from 1941 to 1945 with the GPW model produced under contract. This timeframe represents Ford’s principal contribution to the Jeep program, distinct from Willys-Overland’s MB lineage and the later, postwar evolution of the Jeep brand under different corporate umbrellas. The Jeep’s wartime legacy persists as a symbol of industrial collaboration and American manufacturing during a global conflict.
