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Willys-Overland first registered the Jeep trademark in 1941, after the company was awarded a contract by the United States Army to manufacture a reconnaissance vehicle, called GPW (G - governmental, P - wheel base type, W - Willys-Overland), with Ford Motor Company. In 1953, Kaiser bought Willys-Overland and the company was renamed Kaiser-Jeep in 1954. Facing financial difficulties in 1970, they soon became the possession of American Motors (AMC). From 1979, Renault began investing in AMC but after also struggling financially in 1987, the French car manufacturer was bought by Chrysler Corporation. The latter merged with Diamler-Benz in 1988, forming DiamlerChrysler Company LLC. Besides possessing the Jeep trademark, DiamlerChrysler also holds the trademark for the four-wheel drive's unique seven-slot front grille pattern. Located in Toledo, Ohio in the U.S.A., the headquarters manufacture a range of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) with four-wheel steering that suit both family and off-road use."
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