The domestically produced Ford Explorer is about to be launched, claiming to be the pioneer of SUVs. I have the impression that Toyota RAV4 has also been promoted as the pioneer of urban SUVs. Jeep also claims that it is a professional SUV manufacturer...

Whose statement is more convincing? Is what they call an SUV what you think it is?

In fact, many people still have a vague definition of SUV models. In fact, most of the time the SUV in your mouth is different from its real meaning. This time let’s go back to the source to understand it.

Everyone should be familiar with SUV models, which have outstanding people-carrying capabilities. Therefore, there is a view that SUV models originated in the 1930s. The birth of the Chevrolet Suburban model is a good explanation. The meaning of SUV here is It was called "Suburban Utility Vehicles" and was built based on a truck chassis. It was suitable for suburban road conditions. Asphalt asphalt pavement had not yet emerged at that time. The road conditions of intercity roads represented by the unrepaired U.S. Route 66 were even worse, mostly muddy. Mainly on dirt roads, the Chevrolet Suburban's multi-functional design concept has enabled it to be used in a wide range of application scenarios. The purpose is to maximize economic benefits as much as possible during the recession. The passability of the Chevrolet Suburban on non-paved roads is regarded as Proof of the origin of SUV, but in fact, after analysis, it is found that it is still quite different from current SUVs. If you don’t believe it, read on.

1935 Suburban

Therefore, the second view was born, believing that the origin of SUV was the Willys MB and Ford GPW used by the US military during World War II. The purpose of its birth It is clear that in order to increase the mobility of the troops, comfort and aesthetics will be put aside. This kind of rough and crazy car that smells of gunpowder smoke is very limited in the application scenarios of the civilian market, and this type of car has been transformed after the war. , most of them still emphasize their outstanding off-road capabilities, which has become what we often call ORV "Off-Road Vehicle" models, such as Jeep Wrangler, Toyota BJ-40 Land Cruiser hard-core off-road, super off-road performance, amplified driving explorer ability. So when you mention Jeep, you will naturally associate it with off-roading. But if we measure it by current SUV standards, apart from being popular among some geeks, most people will find the ORV useless, so it is somewhat inconsistent with the vision of multi-function.

Willys MB (test model is MA)

Toyota BJ-40 Land Cruiser

Ford GP used for early trial production testing, GPW is the future major Mass-produced model names

After the end of World War II, Willys continued to provide the MB and its subsequent improved MC and MD models to the US military as military vehicles. Ford was commissioned by the military in 1951 to redesign the MC and MD and develop the Jeep M151 military vehicle, which was founded by AMC (full name: American Motors Corporation) in 1954. It was once as famous as General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. Disappeared from the market in 1987) responsible for mass production. In terms of civilian use, due to the dilapidated infrastructure and inconvenient transportation in the United States after the war, consumers have developed a demand for multi-functional off-road vehicles. So Willis applied for Jeep as a trademark and launched the MB-type civilian version Jeep CJ.

In fact, Willys MB and Ford GPW, all these military vehicles were collectively nicknamed Jeep by US soldiers at the time. Since then, civilian or military models inspired by military Jeeps have blossomed all over the world, including the earliest Land Rover, Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol and other famous off-road vehicles in the future, all inspired by Jeep military vehicles at that time. The Jeep military vehicle of that year is also recognized as the most influential model in history. Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that Ford and Willys are the originators of the earliest SUVs.

As the founder of the SUV, Ford launched the F-series pickup truck in 1948, and launched the Bronco in 1964 using its own mature pickup truck chassis. This also marks the beginning of the transformation of professional off-road models based on military vehicles into sports multi-functional models.

Ford Bronco has three body styles, all of which are two-door designs

Bronco is the first model to use the "Sport Utility" title in promotion, which is also considered to be the first model so far The origin of the most well-known SUV's full name "Sports Utility Vehicles" established Ford's status and historical significance in the field of SUVs.

How classic is the Bronco? As a hardcore off-road model, Bronco sold more than 1.2 million units in the 30 years from 1966 to 1996. Nowadays, a first-generation Bronco in good condition can easily sell for $50,000, while a slightly more special version can exceed $100,000.

Taking over the Bronco, in 1990 Ford built a four-door large SUV based on a non-carrying rear-wheel drive platform, and gave it a wonderful name that would make most consumers scream - —Explorer. Today, 30 years later, the Explorer has sold a total of 8 million units and has become one of the best-selling SUV models. It has opened an era of SUVs and brought the concept of SUVs into public life.

Although there are different opinions on the past and present life of SUV, if you insist on tracing back to its origin, you must break it down and classify it into different categories. As mentioned in the article, each era has its own melody, but what remains unchanged is that only models that adapt to the times can achieve success. Behind the success of each model is a deep analysis and hard work of the market. Just like the Ford Explorer, as a classic of a generation A hit model, it brings the concept of SUV into thousands of households. It is not an exaggeration to call it a pioneer.

After some explanation, do you have a new understanding of SUV models? Everyone is welcome to leave messages and interact in the comment area.

This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.