Jeep is jumping on the bandwagon.
The bandwagon being a steamboat.
The off-road brand is the first automaker to take advantage of the “Steamboat Willie” version of Disney’s Mickey Mouse entering the public domain in 2024.
Jeep posted images to social media featuring Mickey Mouse at the wheel of a Willys trim Wrangler for a perfect play on words.
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“Trading in the “steamboat†for a New Jeep Willys. #PublicDomain,” it wrote.
The Willys Wrangler’s styling is inspired by the World War 2-era Willys MB two which Jeep traces its roots. The irony of the post is that Jeep is famously protective of its own trademarks.
The image even includes a disclaimer that reads “Jeep and the Jeep grille are registered trademarks of FCA US LLC,” FCA still being the legal entity Jeep exists under as part of the recently-formed Stellantis group.
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Jeep and Disney have had a more official relationship in the past, with the character Sarge from the Cars film franchise modeled after a Willys MB, including the brand’s iconic seven-slot grille.
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Jeep has not officially announced plans for a Steamboat Willys Wrangler model, nor should one be expected.
If you’re looking for a Wrangler with an alternative powertrain, you’ll have to settle for the plug-in hybrid Wrangler 4xe, which is offered in the Willys trim.
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The 4xe combines a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric drive to provide a combined 375 hp and up to 22 miles of all-electric driving before it needs to operate fully in hybrid mode.