​Jeep is now one of the world's most recognizable automobile brands. In many parts of the world, the brand name is synonymous with SUVs. However, the origins of this car brand and its subsequent evolution to its current state are quite complicated. The origins of its name (Jeep) have also been hotly debated.

While some speculate that Jeep originates from the Popeye comic character Eugene the Jeep, others argue that it is derived from GP, which stands for general purpose. Regardless of how the name came to be, the brand started out as a World War II vehicle for the United States army.

To effectively deal with the threat of an emerging second world war in the 1940s, the American Army needed a vehicle to replace the motorcycle and horse. The War Department desired a quick reconnaissance vehicle that could also serve as a general-purpose mode of transportation on the battlefield. As a result, the army requested that American automakers create prototypes.

At the time, the Butler, Pennsylvania-based American Bantam Car Company, which had begun producing licensed copies of British-built Austin cars, was facing severe financial difficulties. It was, however, one of only three car manufacturers to respond. The second is Willys-Overland of Toledo, Ohio, and the third is Ford Motor Company.

Bantam co-created the first prototype military Jeep, Willy's Quad. Karl Probst, a Detroit-based auto designer, created the prototype in 18 hours and assembled it in 75 days. Interestingly, during initial testing in September 1940, army officials discovered that Bantam's 1,840-pound prototype exceeded the Army's design parameters.

However, war department officials questioned Bantam's ability to meet military production demands. As a result, Willys-Overland and Ford Motor Company asked to use the Probst design as the basis for their versions of Bantam's vehicle. The army then subjected vehicles from all three companies to a series of tests in Maryland. However, Bantam lost the final bids, and the army awarded Willys-Overland the first production contract. Due to high production demand, the army awarded Ford a second production contract for the same design.

Throughout the war, Ford attempted to distinguish its Jeep design from the Willys by brandishing an "F" on several parts of the vehicle. Willys eventually retained the design rights after the war. Willys modified the MB Jeep for civilian use after the war. These modifications included upgraded seats and headlights and the addition of a tailgate. Willys enacted these changes to take advantage of the vehicle's popularity at the time. The company named its civilian MBs the Willys CJ-2A.

Willys also introduced several other civilian-oriented vehicles, including the 1946 Willys Station Wagon, the 1947 Jeep pickup, and the Jeepster (a small convertible). These vehicles would mark the beginning of Jeep as an independent automobile brand. Jeep would eventually develop other recreational vehicles, such as the CJ-5, which lasted from 1954 to 1984, making it the Jeep model with the longest production run. The M-170 and 1957 FC-170 were two others (meaning forward control).

These vehicles helped Jeep build a loyal but small following in the decades following WWII. However, the US military would remain its primary customer. Willys-Overland was eventually purchased by Kaiser Manufacturing Co. in 1953 and renamed Kaiser-Jeep Corp. in 1963. American Motors later acquired it in 1969. Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles now owns Jeep (FCA).

​The Ford Mustang, a classic American car designed by the Ford Motor Company, is one of the world's most recognizable and adored automobiles. Since its first production in 1964, the Mustang has undergone evolutionary changes to become the world's best-selling sports car and one of America's favorites.

With a large hood, a short rear deck, and a wide stance that conveyed a sense of power and speed, the first-generation Mustang was revolutionary for its time. It was available in various body styles, including a fastback, convertible, and coupe, and powered by a V8 engine producing 210 hp. For the next five generations, the Ford Mustang saw numerous design changes and updates that helped it retain its iconic status and character.

Few vehicles have had such an indelible imprint on American automotive culture as the Ford Mustang. Since its debut in 1964, the Mustang, with its sporty design and strong engines, has appealed to younger car enthusiasts. The iconic vehicle has had a massive impact on the American automobile industry, challenging all preconceived notions about how an American automobile should look and spawning its own subculture.

Around the same time muscle car aficionados began to recognize the Mustang's power and “cool factor,” Hollywood began to take note. The Mustang debuted in the James Bond film “Goldfinger” in 1964. However, it was the 1968 film “Bullitt,” starring Steve McQueen, that propelled it to stardom, as the film featured an iconic car chase scene with a 1968 Mustang GT 390 Fastback racing through the streets of San Francisco. Since then, the Mustang has appeared in numerous films and TV series, including “John Wick,” “Knight Rider,” and “Charlie's Angels,” cementing its place in American car culture and popular culture.

The Ford Mustang set the standard for other sporty vehicles as the first pony car (an affordable, compact, and stylish sporty American car). The introduction of the pony car segment enabled individuals from diverse backgrounds to enjoy the automobile's style and performance. Its affordability also symbolized American ingenuity, and it became a popular choice for many sports car enthusiasts.

The Mustang's fame also ignited competition among car manufacturers, inspiring them to release similar models, such as the Chevy Camaro, Dodge Charger, and Pontiac Firebird. The introduction of the Camaro, in particular, sparked a long-standing competition with the Ford Mustang. But despite the rivalry and competition, the Mustang remains the only model that has never been phased out of production. Even today, the Ford Mustang is still a highly sought-after collector's automobile.

Despite its iconic past, the Ford Motor Company is always looking toward developing better Mustang models with more aerodynamic designs, increased power, and improved fuel efficiency. Additionally, with advanced features such as a pre-collision detection system and a lane-keeping system added in the new models, the Ford Mustang embraces new technologies while maintaining its rich history.

The sixth-generation Ford Mustang, the current model on sale, which has been in production since 2015, also underwent significant redesigns. This was the first time a Mustang had independent rear suspension to improve stability. It was also the first time a right-hand-drive model was marketed worldwide. The model came with a 2.3L EcoBoost engine generating 435 hp and a 5.0L Coyote V8 engine option. With the next generation Mustang scheduled for release in 2024, the model is set to offer a reworked Coyote V-8 engine with 500 hp and a 2.3L EcoBoost engine with 315hp.