The Jeep marque entered the American market in 1945, and with the introduction of the iconic Jeep Wrangler in 1986, the word ‘Jeep’ became the generic term for off-road SUVs.
Jeep's product range consists of SUVs, including a pickup truck, crossovers, luxury SUVs, and off-road models. This singular focus has made the brand synonymous with the 4x4.
Jeep was acquired by Fiat Chrysler Automobile (FCA) in 1987, and since then, the brand became a subsidiary of FCA. Today, FCA sells over 1.4 million Jeep SUVs annually and that level of success has attracted our curiosity about the humble and diligent workers that are behind it all.
The fact that you are reading this means you love cars and you may have dreams of working for a car manufacturer someday. This list shows you the rules every Jeep employee is expected to follow.
15 Drive Company Models As Their Personal Cars
Jeep employees are encouraged to drive Jeep models. If you will buy any vehicle, it is only ideal that you buy from the brand that signs your paycheck. Many employees will gladly drive Jeep brands out of loyalty, but the company offers specific incentives and discounts to encourage the more indifferent employees to buy company brands.
14 Senior Staff And Specialists Should Be College Educated
Automobile manufacturing is a complex process and that probably explains why the geniuses at Tesla are finding it difficult to build reliable cars. To work in the industry, you need skills and proper education to be competent in your area of specialty. This is why Jeep demands that specialists and senior staff be college-educated.
13 Participate In Employee Training Programs
In 2019, FAC invested more than a billion dollars in retooling a Detroit factory and training thousands of employees. Jeep vehicles will be used off-road, on the highway, and anywhere Jeep owners want to go. The staff that will build quality vehicles to face such a variety of terrain are trained to perfection.
12 Live Close To The Factory
Jeep’s vehicles are assembled at the brands’ plants in Toledo – Ohio, Detroit – Michigan, and Belvidere – Illinois. If you are dreaming of working for one of America’s most iconic SUV brands, then you need to consider relocating to any of these locations. If your heart is set on living in places like California or New York, then working for Jeep may not be the right choice for you.
11 They Must Be Masters Of Their Craft
Specialization is the core principle behind the automotive production line. In Jeep’s factories, employees are assigned specific tasks in the car production process and the production line can only work smoothly if the staff at each production station are masters of their craft. Competent Jeep employees ensure that only ready-to-drive vehicles roll off the assembly line.
10 Workplace Safety Is A Priority
The world is currently dealing with a pandemic that as affected practically every country on the planet. With thousands of Jeep workers now returning to assembly plants, the company has made workplace safety procedures a priority. Mike Manley, the FCA CEO stated that “our company’s priority, above all else, is doing what is right for our workers”.
9 Conduct Quality Checks At Each Stage Of Production
Every manufacturer envies Toyota’s reputation for quality and reliability and Jeep is no exception. The company has streamlined quality-control processes that employees must follow. They are to use digital readouts and manual inspections to conduct quality checks on company vehicles at each stage of production.
8 Stop The Production Line Anytime They Spot A Problem
Jeep is committed to ensuring that only ready-to-drive vehicles leave its factories for dealership showrooms. This is why if employees spot any problems, they have the authority to stop the production line and fix the issue. This can be expensive, but the impact of poor reviews from unhappy customers will be even more expensive.
7 Work Overtime To Meet Deadlines
The Jeep Wrangler is one of the bestselling brands on the market and to meet customer demand, employees at the company’s Toledo plant work two 10-hour shifts a day. This sort of overtime work is not unusual for Jeep employees. If customers love your brand, you need to work harder to meet the demand such interest creates.
6 Ensure Only Standard-Compliant Vehicles Are Rolled Off The Assembly Line
Vehicle recalls can be very embarrassing and costly for a car manufacturer. Jeep builds millions of vehicles every year and the last thing the company wants is to sell vehicles that fail to comply with industry regulations. Jeep’s designers and engineers are required to test every new model and ensure it complies with industry regulations.
5 Recycle As Much Factory Waste As Possible
FAC – Jeep’s parent company, runs a Concepts for Advanced Recycling and Environmental (CARE) recycling program. Jeep is committed to cleaning up its production line and a recent program saw two Jeep Cherokees retrofitted with recycled plastic. Employees and suppliers are encouraged to reuse imperfect parts that they would ordinarily throw away.
4 Adapt To New Tools And Machinery
Jeep regularly retools its factories and new machinery is often introduced to aid the manufacture of new models. Employees are expected to actively participate in training programs on how to operate these new tools. If you are planning to work for Jeep, you must be comfortable with the idea of adapting to new tools every few years.
3 Love What They Do And Be Proud To Make Jeeps
It’s hard enough to get employed by one of America’s most successful car manufacturers, and you are also often required to work long hours under significant time constraints. Only employees that love what they do can thrive in such an environment. Hence, Jeep tries to only recruit passionate car lovers as its staff.
2 Experience Means More Money
Jeep employees include car designers, engineers, factory workers, and other professionals. There is a hierarchical system in place to organize this complex network of talented professionals from entry-level positions to top executive roles. Climbing through the ranks to earn more money will depend on your years of experience and talent.
1 Plan For The Possibility Of Factory Layoffs
In 2019, FAC laid off more than a thousand employees working at its Belvidere plant. These employees were responsible for building the Jeep Cherokee. It is a reality that every Jeep employee must plan for. The employees were laid off because of slowing demands from customers for the Jeep Cherokee.
Sources: Wallstreetjournal, Indeed.com, Toledo Blade, Chicagotribune, Autoblog