AMC - Revision history

Red marquis at 06:58, 18 January 2010

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	<small>^* - American Motors 1958-62. See article for details.<br>		<small>^* - American Motors 1958-62. See article for details.<br>
	^** - The Gremlin was the company's first true subcompact.</small>		** - The Gremlin was the company's first true subcompact.</small>

	===Compact===		===Compact===

Red marquis at 06:58, 18 January 2010

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	The successful product launches of the Hornet and Gremlin convinced AMC to continue with new product developments. The new mid-sized [[AMC Matador]] arrived for 1971 as a replacement for the Rebel. Starting in 1974, the Matador evolved into two distinct vehicles - conventionally boxy sedans and station wagons, and a radically styled two-door called the Matador Coupe. After 1975, the Matador sedan and wagon took the place of the discontinued Ambassador as AMC's flagship model. Nash and AMC made the Ambassador from 1932 to 1974, the longest used nameplate of any AMC product.		The successful product launches of the Hornet and Gremlin convinced AMC to continue with new product developments. The new mid-sized [[AMC Matador]] arrived for 1971 as a replacement for the Rebel. Starting in 1974, the Matador evolved into two distinct vehicles - conventionally boxy sedans and station wagons, and a radically styled two-door called the Matador Coupe. After 1975, the Matador sedan and wagon took the place of the discontinued Ambassador as AMC's flagship model. Nash and AMC made the Ambassador from 1932 to 1974, the longest used nameplate of any AMC product.

	~~[[Image:1977-Matador Barcelona-front left.JPG\|thumb\|250px\|1977 Matador Barcelona]]~~
	Although the Matador Coupe was an attractive package to some consumers, sales never lived up to expectations and the line was dropped after 1978. Contradictory figures from AMC, ranging anywhere from $350 to over $600 per car sold, for the Matador Coupe's development and tooling costs, make it impossible to determine how much money, if any, AMC actually lost on the car, which shared few components other than the suspension, drive train, some trim, and interior parts with the sedans. Most of the tooling for the sedans and wagons dated back to the 1967 Rambler Rebel and had long been paid for. By 1978, sales of the long-in-the-tooth design were low enough that it too was dropped along with the sleek Coupe.		Although the Matador Coupe was an attractive package to some consumers, sales never lived up to expectations and the line was dropped after 1978. Contradictory figures from AMC, ranging anywhere from $350 to over $600 per car sold, for the Matador Coupe's development and tooling costs, make it impossible to determine how much money, if any, AMC actually lost on the car, which shared few components other than the suspension, drive train, some trim, and interior parts with the sedans. Most of the tooling for the sedans and wagons dated back to the 1967 Rambler Rebel and had long been paid for. By 1978, sales of the long-in-the-tooth design were low enough that it too was dropped along with the sleek Coupe.

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	===Jeep vehicles===		===Jeep vehicles===

	~~[[Image:Jeep Comanche Chief.jpg\|thumb\|Jeep Comanche.]]~~
	The American Motors-developed Jeeps survived for a long time under Chrysler. The Comanche pickup truck lasted until 1992, while the Cherokee remained until 2001 in the United States (the XJ Cherokee is still produced in China as the Cherokee 2500). Although it was not introduced until 1993, the [[Jeep Grand Cherokee]] was initially an AMC-developed vehicle. The 1997 through 2006 Jeep Wrangler is really a lightly updated development of the original American Motors-designed Wrangler introduced in 1986 for the 1987 model year.		The American Motors-developed Jeeps survived for a long time under Chrysler. The Comanche pickup truck lasted until 1992, while the Cherokee remained until 2001 in the United States (the XJ Cherokee is still produced in China as the Cherokee 2500). Although it was not introduced until 1993, the [[Jeep Grand Cherokee]] was initially an AMC-developed vehicle. The 1997 through 2006 Jeep Wrangler is really a lightly updated development of the original American Motors-designed Wrangler introduced in 1986 for the 1987 model year.

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	<small>^* - American Motors 1958-62. See article for details.<br>		<small>^* - American Motors 1958-62. See article for details.<br>
	~~<small>~~** - The Gremlin was the company's first true subcompact.</small>		^** - The Gremlin was the company's first true subcompact.</small>

	===Compact===		===Compact===

Red marquis at 06:56, 18 January 2010

2010-01-18T06:56:24Z

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	* '''''[[AM General]]''''' survives and is now owned by MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings and the Renco Group. It was organized as an LLC in August 2004.		* '''''[[AM General]]''''' survives and is now owned by MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings and the Renco Group. It was organized as an LLC in August 2004.

	* '''''Wheel Horse Products Division''''' is now owned by the ~~[[Toro (company)\|~~Toro Company]].		* '''''Wheel Horse Products Division''''' is now owned by the Toro Company.

	* '''''[[Beijing-Benz DaimlerChrysler Automotive\|Beijing Jeep]]''''' was established by AMC in 1983 to produce Jeeps for the burgeoning Chinese market; the joint venture was inherited by Chrysler and continues to this day under the ownership of DaimlerChrysler. AMC's trials with the venture were the subject of a fairly well-known book on the venture, "Beijing Jeep", by [[James Mann]].		* '''''[[Beijing-Benz DaimlerChrysler Automotive\|Beijing Jeep]]''''' was established by AMC in 1983 to produce Jeeps for the burgeoning Chinese market; the joint venture was inherited by Chrysler and continues to this day under the ownership of DaimlerChrysler. AMC's trials with the venture were the subject of a fairly well-known book on the venture, "Beijing Jeep", by James Mann.

	Many of the facilities used to produce American Motors vehicles and sub-assemblies are still in use. These include:		Many of the facilities used to produce American Motors vehicles and sub-assemblies are still in use. These include:
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	* The Betsy (1978) was filmed at the Kenosha assembly plant and has footage of 1978 Concord being built.		* The Betsy (1978) was filmed at the Kenosha assembly plant and has footage of 1978 Concord being built.
	* The movie Cars features a few AMC-related cars, such as the [[Hudson Hornet]], [[Jeep]], [[Eagle Talon]] and [[Rambler Ambassador]].		* The movie Cars features a few AMC-related cars, such as the [[Hudson Hornet]], [[Jeep]], [[Eagle Talon]] and [[Rambler Ambassador]].
	* Several faux-radio commercials in [[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories]] refer to an "American Motors" as an atypical victim of rapidly-expanding Japanese enterprise encroaching onto American soil during the 1980s. The exaggerated sob stories of employees and their relatives laid off mirror the labor troubles suffered by the real-life American Motors during that time period, but the name "American Motors" was probably used as a generic American industrial name, as no real-life brands, let alone automotive brands, have been mentioned in the GTA series since GTA2, when a radio host mentioned he had lost his green [[Chevrolet Silverado\|Silverado]].		* Several faux-radio commercials in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories refer to an "American Motors" as an atypical victim of rapidly-expanding Japanese enterprise encroaching onto American soil during the 1980s. The exaggerated sob stories of employees and their relatives laid off mirror the labor troubles suffered by the real-life American Motors during that time period, but the name "American Motors" was probably used as a generic American industrial name, as no real-life brands, let alone automotive brands, have been mentioned in the GTA series since GTA2, when a radio host mentioned he had lost his green [[Chevrolet Silverado\|Silverado]].
	* American Motors vehicles figure prominently in the 2006 movie The Pursuit of Happyness.		* American Motors vehicles figure prominently in the 2006 movie The Pursuit of Happyness.

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	== See also ==		== See also ==
	*[[Amitron]] and [[~~Electron (vehicle)\|~~Electron]] both experimental battery powered [[city car]]s designed by American Motors.		*[[Amitron]] and [[Electron]] both experimental battery powered [[city car]]s designed by American Motors.

Red marquis at 06:54, 18 January 2010

2010-01-18T06:54:31Z

Show changes

Red marquis at 14:39, 11 November 2008

2008-11-11T14:39:14Z

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	==Product development in the 1950s==		==Product development in the 1950s==

	~~[[Image:Nash Metropolitan Series 3.jpg\|thumb\|250px\|[[Nash Metropolitan]].]]~~
	American Motors combined the Nash and the Hudson product lines under a common marketing strategy and dealer network beginning in 1955. The fast selling Rambler model was sold under both the Nash and Hudson labels in its first year and would eventually become the mainstay of the company. The preexisting Nash product line was continued and the [[Nash Statesman]] and Ambassador were lightly restyled to become the "new" [[Hudson Wasp]] and [[Hudson Hornet]]. Hudson aficionados disliked the soft handling and ride of the derisively nicknamed "Hash" models, and sales quickly plummeted. The only Hudson parts on the badge-engineered Nashes were the instrument cluster and engines. Hudsons continued to use the Hudson L-head six, with the exception of sharing the same Packard (and later American Motors) designed V8 engines as their Nash counterparts.		American Motors combined the Nash and the Hudson product lines under a common marketing strategy and dealer network beginning in 1955. The fast selling Rambler model was sold under both the Nash and Hudson labels in its first year and would eventually become the mainstay of the company. The preexisting Nash product line was continued and the [[Nash Statesman]] and Ambassador were lightly restyled to become the "new" [[Hudson Wasp]] and [[Hudson Hornet]]. Hudson aficionados disliked the soft handling and ride of the derisively nicknamed "Hash" models, and sales quickly plummeted. The only Hudson parts on the badge-engineered Nashes were the instrument cluster and engines. Hudsons continued to use the Hudson L-head six, with the exception of sharing the same Packard (and later American Motors) designed V8 engines as their Nash counterparts.

Red marquis at 07:58, 25 January 2007

2007-01-25T07:58:31Z

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	{{List of AMC Models}}[[Image:1958amclogo.gif\|thumb\|150px\|Logo used by AMC 1954-1969]]		{{List of AMC Models}}[[Image:1958amclogo.gif\|thumb\|150px\|Logo used by AMC 1954-1969]]

	'''American Motors Corporation''' (AMC) was an ~~[[United States\|~~American]] automobile company formed on [[January 14~~]] [[~~1954]] by the merger of the [[Nash-Kelvinator Corporation]] and the [[Hudson Motor Car Company]]. At the time, it was the largest corporate merger in U.S. history, valued at $198,000,000. Declining sales and a fiercely competitive auto market in the [[United States]] forced AMC to seek a partner in the late 1970s, which led to a tie-up with France's [[Renault]] in 1979. The arrangement lasted until [[March 2]], [[1987]], when American Motors was purchased by the [[Chrysler Corporation]], which discontinued the use of AMC and Renault brand names in the United States. The [[Jeep]] line was continued, as well as some of the models under the [[Eagle automobile\|Eagle]] marque.		'''American Motors Corporation''' (AMC) was an American automobile company formed on January 14 1954 by the merger of the [[Nash-Kelvinator Corporation]] and the [[Hudson Motor Car Company]]. At the time, it was the largest corporate merger in U.S. history, valued at $198,000,000. Declining sales and a fiercely competitive auto market in the United States forced AMC to seek a partner in the late 1970s, which led to a tie-up with France's [[Renault]] in 1979. The arrangement lasted until March 2, 1987, when American Motors was purchased by the [[Chrysler Corporation]], which discontinued the use of AMC and Renault brand names in the United States. The [[Jeep]] line was continued, as well as some of the models under the [[Eagle automobile\|Eagle]] marque.

	==Formation==		==Formation==

Red marquis at 07:57, 25 January 2007

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	{{List of AMC Models}}[[Image:1958amclogo.gif\|thumb\|150px\|Logo used by AMC 1954-1969]]		{{List of AMC Models}}[[Image:1958amclogo.gif\|thumb\|150px\|Logo used by AMC 1954-1969]]
	~~[[Image:AmericanMotors-logo_1970-1987.jpg\|thumb\|Logo used by AMC and [[Jeep]] from 1970-1987.]]~~

	'''American Motors Corporation''' (AMC) was an [[United States\|American]] automobile company formed on [[January 14]] [[1954]] by the merger of the [[Nash-Kelvinator Corporation]] and the [[Hudson Motor Car Company]]. At the time, it was the largest corporate merger in U.S. history, valued at $198,000,000. Declining sales and a fiercely competitive auto market in the [[United States]] forced AMC to seek a partner in the late 1970s, which led to a tie-up with France's [[Renault]] in 1979. The arrangement lasted until [[March 2]], [[1987]], when American Motors was purchased by the [[Chrysler Corporation]], which discontinued the use of AMC and Renault brand names in the United States. The [[Jeep]] line was continued, as well as some of the models under the [[Eagle automobile\|Eagle]] marque.		'''American Motors Corporation''' (AMC) was an [[United States\|American]] automobile company formed on [[January 14]] [[1954]] by the merger of the [[Nash-Kelvinator Corporation]] and the [[Hudson Motor Car Company]]. At the time, it was the largest corporate merger in U.S. history, valued at $198,000,000. Declining sales and a fiercely competitive auto market in the [[United States]] forced AMC to seek a partner in the late 1970s, which led to a tie-up with France's [[Renault]] in 1979. The arrangement lasted until [[March 2]], [[1987]], when American Motors was purchased by the [[Chrysler Corporation]], which discontinued the use of AMC and Renault brand names in the United States. The [[Jeep]] line was continued, as well as some of the models under the [[Eagle automobile\|Eagle]] marque.

Red marquis at 07:55, 25 January 2007

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@@ Line 314: / Line 314: @@
 [[Category:Discontinued Makes]]
 [[Category:Chrysler]]
 [[Category: Makes]]

Red marquis at 07:54, 25 January 2007

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	[[Image:1958amclogo.gif\|thumb\|150px\|Logo used by AMC 1954-1969]]		{{List of AMC Models}}[[Image:1958amclogo.gif\|thumb\|150px\|Logo used by AMC 1954-1969]]
	[[Image:AmericanMotors-logo_1970-1987.jpg\|thumb\|Logo used by AMC and [[Jeep]] from 1970-1987.]]		[[Image:AmericanMotors-logo_1970-1987.jpg\|thumb\|Logo used by AMC and [[Jeep]] from 1970-1987.]]

Argen at 18:17, 22 January 2007

2007-01-22T18:17:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:17, 22 January 2007
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	*[[Amitron]] and [[Electron (vehicle)\|Electron]] both experimental battery powered [[city car]]s designed by American Motors.		*[[Amitron]] and [[Electron (vehicle)\|Electron]] both experimental battery powered [[city car]]s designed by American Motors.

	~~==Books & References==~~
	* {{cite book \| author = Conde, John \| title = The American Motors Family Album 1946-1975 \| publisher = American Motors Corporation \| year = 1976 \| id = ISBN X-XXXXX-XXX-X}}

	* {{cite book \| author = Thomas Derdak, Editor \| title = International Directory of Company History, Volume 1 \| publisher = St. James Press \| year = 1988 \| id = ISBN 0-912289-10-4}}

	* {{cite book \| author = Foster, Patrick \| title = AMC Cars: 1954-1987, An Illustrated History \| publisher = Motorbooks International \| year = 2004 \| id = ISBN 1-58388-112-3}}

	* {{cite book \| author = Foster, Patrick \| title = The Last Independent \| publisher = Motorbooks International \| year = 1993 \| id = ISBN 0-87341-240-0}}

	* {{cite book \| author = Foster, Patrick \| title = The Metropolitan Story \| publisher = Kraus Publications \| year = 1996 \| id = ISBN 0-87341-459-4}}

	* {{cite book \| author = Foster, Patrick \| title = The Nash Styling Sketchbook \| publisher = Olde Milford Press \| year = 1998 \| id = ISBN 0-9662019-0-6}}

	* Fracassa, Hawke. "Roy D. Chapin Jr., ex-AMC chairman gambled to save Jeep". The Detroit News. August 7, 2001

	* {{cite book \| author = Gunnell, John, Editor \| title = The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975 \| publisher = Kraus Publications \| year = 1987 \| id = ISBN 0-87341-096-3}}

	* Higgins, James V., "Roy Chapin Jr. mastered how to survive in auto industry". The Detroit News, August 12, 2001

	* {{cite book \| author = Lutz, Robert A. \| title = Guts: The Seven Laws of Business That Made Chrysler the World's Hottest Car Company \| publisher = John Wiley & Sons \| year = 1999 \| id = ISBN 0-471-35765-0}}

	* {{cite book \| author = Mann, Jim \| title = Beijing Jeep: A Case Study of Western Business in China \| publisher = Perseus Publishing \| year = 1997 \| id = ISBN 0-8133-3327-X}}

	* {{cite book \| author = Mays, James C. \| title = Rambler Canada: The Little Company That Could \| publisher = Syam Publications \| year = 2001 \| id = ISBN 0-9685864-7-3}}

	* {{cite book \| author = Mitchell, Larry \| title = AMC Buyers Guide \| publisher = Motorbooks International\| year = 1994 \| id = ISBN 0-87938-891-9}}

	* Taylor III, Alex. "Finally GM is looking good". Fortune, Vol. 145, Nr. 7, 2002, pp. 69-74

	* {{cite book \| author = Zinn, Chris L. \| title = AMX Photo Archive: From Concept to Reality \| publisher = Iconographix\| year = 2002 \| id = ISBN 1-58388-062-3}}

	~~==Footnotes==~~
	~~<references/>~~

	==External links==		==External links==

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:57, 25 January 2007
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	{{List of AMC Models}}[[Image:1958amclogo.gif\|thumb\|150px\|Logo used by AMC 1954-1969]]		{{List of AMC Models}}[[Image:1958amclogo.gif\|thumb\|150px\|Logo used by AMC 1954-1969]]
	~~[[Image:AmericanMotors-logo_1970-1987.jpg\|thumb\|Logo used by AMC and [[Jeep]] from 1970-1987.]]~~

	'''American Motors Corporation''' (AMC) was an [[United States\|American]] automobile company formed on [[January 14]] [[1954]] by the merger of the [[Nash-Kelvinator Corporation]] and the [[Hudson Motor Car Company]]. At the time, it was the largest corporate merger in U.S. history, valued at $198,000,000. Declining sales and a fiercely competitive auto market in the [[United States]] forced AMC to seek a partner in the late 1970s, which led to a tie-up with France's [[Renault]] in 1979. The arrangement lasted until [[March 2]], [[1987]], when American Motors was purchased by the [[Chrysler Corporation]], which discontinued the use of AMC and Renault brand names in the United States. The [[Jeep]] line was continued, as well as some of the models under the [[Eagle automobile\|Eagle]] marque.		'''American Motors Corporation''' (AMC) was an [[United States\|American]] automobile company formed on [[January 14]] [[1954]] by the merger of the [[Nash-Kelvinator Corporation]] and the [[Hudson Motor Car Company]]. At the time, it was the largest corporate merger in U.S. history, valued at $198,000,000. Declining sales and a fiercely competitive auto market in the [[United States]] forced AMC to seek a partner in the late 1970s, which led to a tie-up with France's [[Renault]] in 1979. The arrangement lasted until [[March 2]], [[1987]], when American Motors was purchased by the [[Chrysler Corporation]], which discontinued the use of AMC and Renault brand names in the United States. The [[Jeep]] line was continued, as well as some of the models under the [[Eagle automobile\|Eagle]] marque.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:17, 22 January 2007
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	*[[Amitron]] and [[Electron (vehicle)\|Electron]] both experimental battery powered [[city car]]s designed by American Motors.		*[[Amitron]] and [[Electron (vehicle)\|Electron]] both experimental battery powered [[city car]]s designed by American Motors.

	~~==Books & References==~~
	* {{cite book \| author = Conde, John \| title = The American Motors Family Album 1946-1975 \| publisher = American Motors Corporation \| year = 1976 \| id = ISBN X-XXXXX-XXX-X}}

	* {{cite book \| author = Thomas Derdak, Editor \| title = International Directory of Company History, Volume 1 \| publisher = St. James Press \| year = 1988 \| id = ISBN 0-912289-10-4}}

	* {{cite book \| author = Foster, Patrick \| title = AMC Cars: 1954-1987, An Illustrated History \| publisher = Motorbooks International \| year = 2004 \| id = ISBN 1-58388-112-3}}

	* {{cite book \| author = Foster, Patrick \| title = The Last Independent \| publisher = Motorbooks International \| year = 1993 \| id = ISBN 0-87341-240-0}}

	* {{cite book \| author = Foster, Patrick \| title = The Metropolitan Story \| publisher = Kraus Publications \| year = 1996 \| id = ISBN 0-87341-459-4}}

	* {{cite book \| author = Foster, Patrick \| title = The Nash Styling Sketchbook \| publisher = Olde Milford Press \| year = 1998 \| id = ISBN 0-9662019-0-6}}

	* Fracassa, Hawke. "Roy D. Chapin Jr., ex-AMC chairman gambled to save Jeep". The Detroit News. August 7, 2001

	* {{cite book \| author = Gunnell, John, Editor \| title = The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975 \| publisher = Kraus Publications \| year = 1987 \| id = ISBN 0-87341-096-3}}

	* Higgins, James V., "Roy Chapin Jr. mastered how to survive in auto industry". The Detroit News, August 12, 2001

	* {{cite book \| author = Lutz, Robert A. \| title = Guts: The Seven Laws of Business That Made Chrysler the World's Hottest Car Company \| publisher = John Wiley & Sons \| year = 1999 \| id = ISBN 0-471-35765-0}}

	* {{cite book \| author = Mann, Jim \| title = Beijing Jeep: A Case Study of Western Business in China \| publisher = Perseus Publishing \| year = 1997 \| id = ISBN 0-8133-3327-X}}

	* {{cite book \| author = Mays, James C. \| title = Rambler Canada: The Little Company That Could \| publisher = Syam Publications \| year = 2001 \| id = ISBN 0-9685864-7-3}}

	* {{cite book \| author = Mitchell, Larry \| title = AMC Buyers Guide \| publisher = Motorbooks International\| year = 1994 \| id = ISBN 0-87938-891-9}}

	* Taylor III, Alex. "Finally GM is looking good". Fortune, Vol. 145, Nr. 7, 2002, pp. 69-74

	* {{cite book \| author = Zinn, Chris L. \| title = AMX Photo Archive: From Concept to Reality \| publisher = Iconographix\| year = 2002 \| id = ISBN 1-58388-062-3}}

	~~==Footnotes==~~
	~~<references/>~~

	==External links==		==External links==