Jeep is a name synonymous with SUVs cars in Nigeria. Whenever an SUV car drive past, the common man will refer to it as a Jeep. Meanwhile, most Jeeps are SUVs, but not all SUVs are Jeep. So at this stage what really is a Jeep and an SUV.

Jeep Brands

The brand is an American automobiles product. The first set of Jeeps were known as Model MB and produced by Willys-Overland. These cars were designed for the US military and its allies. This was during the second world war. They were all four wheel drive making them suitable for off-road terrain. The first civilian product was release in the year 1945 after the war was over. This was known as CJ (Civilian Jeep) and the model was CJ 2A.

The origin of the name Jeep has generated a lot of controversies. But the slightly most closest to reality is the one that said the name was coined from the general name ‘government or general purpose’ car. The name shortened to GP was later pronounce Jeep.

The selling point of the car is their off-road abilities. They have solid front that is flat and rear axles. They are strong, durable and articulate. The imitation after the war by other car manufactures like Toyota lead to the production of product like the Land Rover under licence from the Willys. This was what caused the misunderstanding.

Who Owns The Brand?

In the 1940s Willys-Overland was the original owner. It was in the year 1950 that he was given the the trademark for the name ‘Jeep’. Since then different owners have produced different models till date. Fiat Chrysler automobiles is currently the owner since 2014.

SUV Cars

The word SUV is a shortened form of Sport or Suburban Utility Vehicle. It’s a lightweight truck equipped usually with four wheel drive. Just like Jeep cars, it is designed both for off-road and on-road with families in mind. But the problem is there is no one single definition for them yet. There are four different range of SUVs; mini, compact, mid and full SUV.

So What Is The Difference?

Jeep is an American brand of cars that specialises in producing SUVs and few trucks why SUVs are a type of car that is designed for special duties. So when next you see a toyota land cruiser it is not a jeep.

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