The Jeep “Jeep, there’s only one,” is the catch phrase used by the company for many years. But is there really only one. Since the first Jeep in 1940, there have been over 40 models of the Jeep. Four companies have held the Jeep name. From the first Jeep, to the origin of the Jeep name, the models, and the companies and manufacturers, the vehicle has maintained its legendary status for nearly 60 years. By 1939 the US military needed a new, universal vehicle to replace the motorcycle and its other vehicles (such as the modified Ford Model-T), so they invited 135 different car companies to compete for a c