1852

Studebaker was founded in South Bend, Indiana growing to become the largest horse-drawn wagon producer in the world and one of the largest corporations in the United States receiving its first contract from the U.S. Army in 1861.

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1852

1902

Standard Wheel Company was founded in Terre Haute, Indiana. In 1908, John Willys purchased the Overland Automotive Division of Standard Wheel Company renaming it Willys-Overland Motor Company.

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1902

1953

Kaiser-Frazer purchased Willys-Overland Motors changing its name to Kaiser-Jeep Corporation. In 1964, they moved their military and specialty vehicles manufacturing operations to South Bend, Indiana organizing the operations under the General Products Division.

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1953

1970

American Motors purchased the General Products Division from Kaiser-Jeep Corporation and in 1971 organized the operations as a wholly owned subsidiary renaming it AM General Corporation.

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1970

Heritage Overview

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

History Timeline

Heritage Overview History Timeline

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

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A LEGACY OF EXPERIENCE AND INNOVATION

AM General has a strong legacy of designing, manufacturing, and supporting iconic, high-quality military, commercial, and consumer vehicles.

With more than a century in operation, we have a tremendous history of providing the most advanced and dependable products on time and on budget. We are responsive to our customers’ unique needs, offering versatile vehicles, innovative product solutions, and end-to-end support that keeps pace with the changing world.

Headquartered in South Bend, Indiana with manufacturing and innovation facilities in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, AM General employs a strong American workforce drawing from diverse experiences and backgrounds. We partner with more than 1,700 suppliers across 43 states.

AM General products have deployed around the globe with our service members in peacetime and in war. Our soldiers have depended on our vehicles in the harshest and most demanding environments. And we will continue to be there for them on future battlefields with the cutting-edge technology required to win.

Our military business continues to grow both at home and internationally. Through public-private partnerships with the US Army, we are building readiness by modernizing and maintaining more than 160,000 Humvees through recapitalization and new manufacturing. AM General also has robust relationships with allies and partners around the globe with light tactical vehicles in over 70 countries, helping to build interoperability with our allies and partners.

We continue to seek strategic partnership to expand and diversify our product offerings for defense and commercial customers alike. We have the only full-scale contract assembly facility in the United States with ample capacity to serve as the production partner for another OEM. We have an adaptable workforce, nimble business model, and an innovative spirit that allow us to take full advantage of the opportunities ahead.

We leverage our deep experience in the defense and automotive industries. AM General is investing in the future for advanced technologies that make our products even better. As an automotive OEM, we are keeping pace within our industry to find, develop, and implement breakthrough innovation in all levels of autonomy. And for the battlefield we are developing disruptive and scalable technologies to fight and win with increased mobility, lethality, and survivability. We are driving the information age by carrying mission command systems, advanced weapons, and other cutting-edge technologies on the versatile Humvee.

Solving ground transportation challenges around the globe for over 160 years.

AM General draws its heritage from Studebaker and Standard Wheel and has been solving ground transportation challenges for customers around the globe for over 160 years.

Studebaker was founded in South Bend, Indiana in 1852 and grew to become the largest horse-drawn wagon producer in the world and one of the largest corporations in the United States. Studebaker continued to build wagons for customers around the world through 1919. Studebaker began manufacturing automobiles in 1902. Studebaker continued to build automobiles and trucks in the U.S. through 1964 when it ceased commercial manufacturing operations and sold the assets of its general and military automotive operations to Kaiser-Jeep Corporation.

Standard Wheel Company was founded in 1904 in Terre Haute, Indiana. In 1908, John Willys purchased the Overland Automotive Division of Standard Wheel Company and renamed it Willys-Overland Motor Company. In 1953, Kaiser-Frazer purchased Willys-Overland Motors and changed its name to Kaiser-Jeep Corporation in 1963. In 1964, Kaiser-Jeep Corporation moved its military and specialty vehicles manufacturing operations to South Bend, Indiana and organized the operations under the General Products Division.

In 1970, American Motors purchased the General Products Division from Kaiser-Jeep Corporation and in 1971 organized the operations as a wholly owned subsidiary and renamed it AM General Corporation.

History Timeline

Where it All Began

1861

Studebaker received its first contract from the U.S. Army in 1861. It continued to produce horse-drawn wagons for the U.S. and her allies through WWI.

Pictured here is a trainload of ambulances headed to the U.S. Army in 1898 for the Spanish-American War. Photo Courtesy of the History Museum.

1903

AM General’s automotive manufacturing heritage begins when the Standard Wheel Company begins production of the Overland “Runabout”.

1908

Studebaker U.S. Army Dispatch Car on its maiden run from Governors Island, NY to Fort Leavenworth, KS, 1908.

1940

AM General precursor develops Willys Jeep, America's first 4-wheel-drive tactical utility truck, designed and manufactured for the U.S. military.

1960

A bid is won to develop and produce a half-ton delivery van for the U.S. Postal Service, followed by a contract to produce more than 150,000 “Dispatcher” vehicles for USPS, police departments, utility companies, and small package delivery firms.

1964

AM General produces nearly 112,000 5-ton and 150,000 2 1/2-ton trucks for the armed forces of the free world.

1983

AM General wins initial Army contract to produce 55,000 Humvees over a five-year period. More than 280,000 Humvees are produced by 2012.

1992

AM General introduces the HUMMER as “the world’s most serious 4×4”.

1999

The HUMMER brand is acquired by General Motors. AM General continues to assemble and maintain parts, training, and warranty support.

2002

AM General begins assembling the HUMMER H2 for GM in a new, state-of-the-art commercial manufacturing center in Mishawaka, IN.

2007

In a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership, AM General provides upgraded and enhanced capability HMMWVs for National Guard units nationwide.

2013

AM General forms “Mobility Ventures LLC” to produce the world’s first vehicle built from the ground up for wheelchair accessibility.

2015

Mercedes-Benz selects AM General to manufacture the Mercedes-Benz R-Class luxury vehicle.

2016

AM General develops first prototype of revolutionary mobile howitzer system: HUMVEE 2-CT Hawkeye.

2018

AM General and Arquus partner for future production of the Bastion 12-ton personnel carrier, based off the proven Arquus VLRA 4x4 platform.

It offers a combination of tactical performance, robust capability, and simplified maintenance. The armored hull features protection against ballistic threats, mines, and IEDs as well as a large internal volume.

2019

AM General and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles debut the Jeep Gladiator XMT (Extreme Military-Grade Truck) concept during the Annual Meeting and Exposition of the Association of the U.S. Army.

2022

Introduction of HUMVEE Saber Blade Edition Concept Truck

2023

AM General Awarded 5-Year, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Family of Vehicles Recompete Contract, including implementation of technology enhancements for delivery to the US Armed Forces.

WHAT WE DO

Ready for the Mission.
Driven by the Future.