Chrysler acquired the Jeep brand from American Motors Corporation in 1987.
The transaction was structured as Chrysler’s purchase of AMC, whose assets included the profitable Jeep business. Chrysler agreed to buy AMC in March 1987, and the takeover was completed later that year. Jeep was the principal prize for Chrysler, which wanted a strong presence in the growing four-wheel-drive and sport-utility market.
The deal also brought Chrysler AMC’s manufacturing facilities, dealerships, engineering expertise, and the developing Grand Cherokee program. AMC subsequently became Chrysler’s Jeep-Eagle division, while the Jeep name continued under Chrysler ownership.
Renault is a frequent source of confusion because it had become deeply involved with AMC before the sale and owned a major stake. Renault did not acquire Jeep in 1987; Chrysler bought AMC and brought Jeep under its corporate umbrella. Chrysler later became part of DaimlerChrysler, then Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and ultimately Stellantis.