The question of where Jeeps are made is quite common these days, and a valid one at that. In a period where much in the way of production has been outsourced in a bid to reduce manufacturing costs, it seems to be anyone's guess as to the true origin of most vehicles.
In short, there are few vehicles on the road today that are as truly American as the Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Cherokee, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. While components used within the production process are sourced internationally, each of these Jeep models is assembled in the United States.
Jeep Production Throughout The Years
When referencing Jeep’s lengthy and illustrious history, it is quite easy to see that its roots as the quintessential American vehicle run deep. The very existence of the Jeep vehicles we know and love today can be traced back to Willy-Overland’s manufacturing efforts during World War II, through which the first Jeep was produced.
During this period, the U.S. War Department realized that the nation’s military was in desperate need of a quick, yet nimble, reconnaissance vehicle. In turn, the War Department initiated an open call campaign, through which automotive manufacturers could submit prototypes for review. The catch, however, was that any plans submitted for consideration would need to be such as to allow a working prototype to be produced in under two-months.
Initially, only two manufacturers submitted plans for further review, American Bantam Car Company, and Willys-Overland. While Bantam was the first to initially submit their design, the War Department had their doubts as to whether or not the relatively obscure auto manufacturer could keep up with demand. As a result, both Willys-Overland and Ford were invited to revise their designs based upon that presented by Bantam.
On July 16th, 1941, Willys-Overland was awarded a contract for the production of their proposed military Jeep, with Ford ultimately being awarded a secondary contract. From its inception, the Willys-Overland Model MB was made in America, with all production taking place at the company’s Toledo, Ohio, assembly plant.
Subsequent production of post-war civilian Jeeps, such as the Willys CJ-2A, Willys Station Wagon, and original Jeep Gladiator pickup truck continued to be based in Toledo, Ohio. These American based manufacturing efforts carried on, even through the 1953 acquisition of Willys-Overland by Kaiser Manufacturing Company. New vehicles introduced into the Jeep lineup during the Kaiser era, including the Jeep Wagoneer, were likewise produced at the Toledo assembly plant.
During these early Jeep years, both Willys-Overland and Kaiser licensed out the production rights of Jeeps intended for sale on the foreign market. In the majority of cases, foreign automakers would produce these Jeep derivatives under their own namesake, such as in the case of the Mitsubishi Jeep lineup. These Japanese manufactured Jeeps were intended to compete directly with other foreign SUVs, wagons, and off-road vehicles, such as those produced by Toyota and Nissan.
By 1969 Kaiser-Jeep had been acquired by the American Motor Corporation (AMC), which at the time, was in the throes of financial hardship of its own. The struggling automaker leaned heavily upon the Jeep lineup as one of their cornerstones. The practice of manufacturing Jeeps on American soil continued for a number of years under AMC control. However, increased financial hardship and an eventual merger with French automotive manufacturer, Renault, would soon lead to change.
The latter portion of the AMC era saw Jeep production of varying degrees moved to both Canada and China. In 1979, AMC partnered with Beijing Auto Works to form the Beijing-Jeep joint venture. This effectively made Jeep the first American automaker to manufacture and sell vehicles in China. Chinese production would continue through much of Chrysler's upcoming period of Jeep ownership, and would ultimately include the production of both the Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
When the Wrangler debuted in 1986, the manufacturing of all North American subsets took place at AMC/Renault’s Brampton, Ontario, assembly plant. Production of this new Jeep model would continue to take place at this facility until 1995, when efforts were once again refocused in Toledo, Ohio.
In 1987, Chrysler purchased AMC from Renault. Throughout this acquisition, the bulk of Jeep manufacturing practices did not change, with Ontario and Beijing retaining a significant portion of the production. However, by the time Wrangler manufacturing reconvened in Toledo as of the mid-1990s, a gradual shift toward the revitalization of Jeep’s sense of American heritage had begun.
The years to follow saw Chrysler’s merger with Daimler in 1998, only to be followed by its eventual sale in 2007. By this point, the contractual terms surrounding Beijing Jeep had expired, once again bringing all production of models intended for North American sales back to the United States. Jeep production would remain solely American based in the years to follow, despite Chrysler’s subsequent government rescue from bankruptcy.
Where Are Jeeps Made Today?
Jeep is now owned and operated under Fiat’s corporate umbrella, FCA US (Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles). In the current era, the Jeep brand is virtually as American-made as one could deem possible, though a number of the brand’s more compact offerings are built elsewhere.
In total, Jeep currently has 10 plants, across a total of 6 different countries. These countries include the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Italy, and China. Many of these foreign plants are used to facilitate the manufacture of powertrain components, while the substantial bulk of Jeep assembly takes place in the United States.
Today, all Jeep Wranglers are made at the Toledo Manufacturing Complex in Toledo, Ohio. In past years of production, as much as 74-percent of the parts and components used in the construction of the Wrangler had been made in America. The Toledo manufacturing complex has also served as home to the production of all Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Rubicon models.
Likewise, the Jeep Cherokee is also made solely in America. Production of the famed crossover takes place at Jeep’s Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere, Illinois. Along with being assembled in America, 70-percent of the Cherokee's parts are American in origin.
All U.S.-spec Jeep Grand Cherokees are built at the Jefferson North Assembly Facility, located in Detroit, Michigan. This plant has housed the production of the Grand Cherokee since 1991 and has also served as the manufacturing hub of other notable Chrysler models, such as the Dodge Durango.
Today, Jeep Compass and Jeep Renegade models are manufactured at Fiat’s production facility in Melfi, Italy. However, a number of the parts used in the production of each of these two models are sourced from the United States.
An American Legacy
Since 2006, Cars.com has released an annual American-Made Index. This yearly report ranks vehicles based upon which models are the “Most American Made.” A range of criteria is used to determine how each vehicle ranks in comparison to one another. This criteria includes, but is not limited to, each model’s contribution to the United States' economy based upon factory jobs, parts sourcing, and manufacturing location.
In their regular index, Cars.com is able to figure a vehicle’s use of domestically derived components due to automakers' open compliance with federal records mandates. “In compliance with the American Automobile Labeling Act, automakers must annually report the percentage of U.S. and Canadian parts, by value, for the vast majority of passenger cars. Such information is required to appear on the window sticker, or a separate sticker nearby, for nearly every new vehicle sold in the U.S.”
In 2017, the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Cherokee ranked #1 and #2 respectively, on the annual American-Made Index report. Likewise, the Cherokee has maintained a first or second place standing on this same report for the last four years running. During the 2020 model year, the Cherokee placed second, falling just shy of taking first place over the Ford Ranger.
Remaining American?
In late 2019, FCA agreed to a 50/50 merger with the French auto group PSA. This merger of automotive giants is set to reach completion within the first quarter of 2021. As history has shown, all is up for discussion when Jeep undergoes a change of ownership. This has led some to question whether or not the vast majority of Jeep production will remain in the United States.
At this point, there is little to suggest that manufacturing efforts will move elsewhere. FCA has shown itself to be a proponent of the American production model, which seemingly bodes well to the continuation of manufacturing in its current state. Only time will tell the extent to which this merger will affect underlying production efforts.
Born from war-time efforts, and forged by the sweat of American brows, it is safe to say that the Jeep will always be synonymous with Americana. Like Baseball and apple pie, the Jeep is quintessentially American to its core, no matter what the future might hold.