The second world war and the Jeep-Willis
The first practical applications were military: the 4×4 traction system was employed by the US Army during the second world war and the star of the show was the Jeep-Willis. This model laid the foundations for Jeep’s success: solid, go-anywhere vehicles that were able to tackle any hurdle or tough terrain. The real boom happened at the end of the war when Jeep begun a shift from military production to ‘civilian’ consumer production.
Off-road today
A lift kit, robust materials and high performance: these are the distinctive features of the typical off-road vehicle. This is the unmistakable mix of freedom and power that is at the heart of these models. The widespread appeal has now led to more compact models suited to city streets: the urban SUV.
One example is the Hummer, a vehicle originally developed for the US Army that was converted into a luxury urban SUV with amazing off-road capabilities. In the meantime, the pick-up has left behind its strictly working roots to become a symbol of the Stars and Stripes’ way of life.
How the pick-up was born
The history of the American pick-up has its roots in the early 1900s. At that time, there was a clear distinction between civilian vehicles designed to carry passengers and ‘commercial’ transport. Some drivers began adding a homemade box to the chassis of their vehicles: the first pick-up was created!
This idea went on to revolutionize America’s way of life. In the 1950s, sales of pick-ups really took off. These vehicles were used both for work and play and saw brands like Dodge, Chevrolet and Ford become key players in the field.
From here, the transformation to iconic status was explosive: shiny chrome, big tires, high performance V8 engines and 4×4 traction made the American pick-up a true symbol of the USA throughout the world. The indisputable cult model is the RAM pick-up.
MILITEM: American DNA, Italian style
This is why MILITEM boasts a uniquely American DNA: the heritage sought by clients wanting a luxury SUV able to astonish, kilometer after kilometer. MILITEM is for those looking for emotions never seen before on the road, in a unique 4×4. The exclusive models benefit from attentive factory engineering and Italian craftsmanship that transform each and every MILITEM into a triumph of luxury, performance and safety for those who are never satisfied, both behind the wheel and in life.
