Company History

John North Willys bought the Overland Automotive Division of Standard Wheel Company in 1908 and in 1912 named it the Willys-Overland Motor Company. Willys-Overland made both automobiles and trucks and with the start of World War II the Jeep. Standard Wheel Company (pre 1912) Willys Overland Motors Company (1912 - 1936) reorganized in 1936 after a depression bankruptcy Willys Overland Motors Inc. (1936 - 1953) Willys Motor Company (1953 - 1963) Kaiser-Jeep Corporation (1963 - 1970) American Motors Corporation (1970 - 1987) Chrysler Corporation (1987 - 1998)  Daimler-Chrysler Corporation (1998 - present)