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The US Army's 1/4ton truck, popularly known as the jeep, was the most influential military tactical vehicle of the 20th century. The jeep emerged at a critical point in the history of military motorization at a time when armies worldwide were switching from the horse to the motor vehicle. The jeep was a superb balance of mobility, durability, and practical design that could be manufactured in large numbers at low cost. Besides being used by the US Army, the jeep was extensively exported, with almost 30 percent of its production shipped to other armies, primarily those of Britain and the Soviet Union. The legend of the jeep only increased after World War II since so many surplus jeeps were sold to civilians in both Europe and the United States, thereby reinforcing the spread of motor vehicles worldwide. After the war, the jeep influenced many military tactical vehicles, and served as the ancestor of the contemporary sport utility vehicle (SUV) so popular around the world.