Jeep History - 80's
The most successful Jeep vehicle in history is launched.
The XJ Cherokee
As the American auto market limped into the 1980's in the midst of a full-blown recession, the Jeep Corporation was designing, researching and testing an all-new sport vehicle. By the end of the decade, this would become the most successful and profitable Jeep vehicle in history – the XJ Cherokee.
The XJ Cherokee was a revolutionary vehicle: 21 inches shorter, 6 inches narrower, 4 inches lower , and 1,000 pounds lighter than the SJ Wagoneer, it was built as a unibody instead of a traditional chassis-and-frame.
The Wrangler
In the spring of 1986, Jeep bade farewell to the CJ7 and introduced the Jeep Wrangler, offering improved comfort, ride quality and appearance.
Less than one year after the launch of the Wrangler, Jeep changed hands again as the Chrysler Corporation acquired American Motors in 1987.
