The Willys Jeep was produced at the request of the United States military to satisfy a need for a cross-country reconnaissance vehicle during World War II. Working from a Bantam Car Company design, the Willys-Overland automotive manufacturer was contracted to build the Willys Jeep for the war and produced over 360,000 vehicles by 1945. The Willys Jeep was the first light-duty off-road 4-wheel drive vehicle and became one of the most useful vehicles during the war.