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Jeeps have come to symbolize rugged outdoor experiences in driving. But did you know that after World War II they were assembled in India? In fact, this episode in the Jeep's history opened the door for the beginning of a multi-billion dollar Indian automobile empire. Here's how the Jeep came to India and started a whole new industry in that fledgling country.
In the early 1940's, when it became apparent that America might very well be drawn into the raging world war, the United States military sent out an emergency request to automobile manufacturers: create an all-terrain vehicle to certain standard specifications and have a prototype built within 49 days. These vehicles were, of course, to be used for war time purposes and needed to be rugged and tough, but not as big as trucks.
The Bantam Car Company must be credited with creating the first prototype, and submitting it on time in the process. It was hand built, and met nearly all of the army's explicit specifications. The Willys and Ford companies also submitted their own improved designs, but did so later, and used Bantam's original as a model. In short, the army's contract went to the Willy-Overland company, who then contracted with Ford to help it build the 700,000 vehicles needed.
After the war, K.C Mahindra came to the United States in his capacity as head of Indian Supplies. He happened to meet Barney Roos, who had invented the Jeep, and became fascinated with this new vehicle design. Realizing that the Jeep would be a perfect vehicle with which to navigate India's unpaved roads and rugged backcountry areas, Mahindra and his business partner brother J.C won the bid contract from Willys and began assembling Jeeps in India.
From this enterprise, a business empire was born. Mahindra and Mahindra (or M&M as it is often called) also began the manufacture of farming tractors, and the burgeoning company began to trade shares on the Bombay Stock Exchange in 1956.
As it grew, M&M diversified its services to include a steel company and, much later, an IT subsidiary. But M&M never lost its love for utility vehicles, and it began manufacturing light service vehicles in 1965 which retained much of the look and all of the ruggedness of the original Jeep design.
Today, Mahindra has taken on the passenger vehicle industry, and produces over 20 designs. All feature clean-burning high mileage diesel engines which are both powerful and easier on the environment. In fact, Mahindra engines emit 30% fewer carbon emissions than conventional gasoline engines.
Mahindra is now making their utility vehicles available to the American car enthusiast. Who knew that the all-American iconic Jeep would have such an influence in that part of the world? And it all began with an Indian businessman's appreciation for the vehicle's contributions to the victorious exploits of World War II.
