On January 10, 1942, Ford Motor Company signed a contract for the production of «military utility vehicles» known as Jeep. The basis of the future car, which the American troops needed in wartime so badly, was based on a design developed by the American Bantam Car Company. The Willys-Overland, which was part of the Ford Motor Company and eventually won the tender for the production of «jeeps», made certain improvements, after which the production of cars was launched. In total, 280,000 units of the Jeep brand were produced before the end of the war, as well as another 130,000 amphibious vehicles that had the ability to overcome water obstacles and received the popular name «Seep» (from the English «Sea Jeep»).