The standardisation of the Willys MB meant that Bantam,ironically the first but smallest of the manufacturers,ceased Jeep production in 1941.From thereon Bantam manufactured military equipment for the duration of the hostilities including large batches of quarter-ton amphibious Jeep trailers.The Jeeps it produced,the 40 BRC,mostly went to Britain and Russia under Lease Lend and the same applied to the Ford GP while the majority of the Willys MA's were used by the Russians and also in the Far East.
Once America entered the war,Jeep production output soared to new heights,and by the end of hostilities a total of 639,245 had been built.Willys produced most,361,349 compared with Ford's 277,896.MB output continued into the post war years and the model was manufactured under licence by Hotchkiss in France,around 40,000 being produced between 1953 & 1969.It was also in 1953 that the Japanese Mitsubishi company obtained a formal licensing agreement with Willys to produce a version of the Jeep,a commitment to four wheel drive that continues to this day.
In America the Jeep Corporation produces nowadays produces descendants of the Willys MB,after experiencing a somewhat chequered post-war history.
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