American Motors Corporation (AMC) was an American automobile manufacturer created by the merger of Nash-Kelvinator and Hudson in 1954. It was known for producing a variety of cars including small cars like the Rambler American, intermediate and full-sized cars like the Ambassador, muscle cars like the AMX and Javelin, and early four-wheel drive variants of the Eagle and Jeep Wagoneer. AMC was considered a small company but had a reputation for exploiting special market segments left untended by larger competitors. Renault acquired a major interest in AMC in 1979, and the company was eventually acquired by Chrysler.
History
In 1954, Nash-Kelvinator Corporation began acquiring the Hudson Motor Car Company in what was called a merger, forming the American Motors Corporation. The goal of the merger was to cut costs and strengthen sales organizations to meet the intense competition from the Big Three automakers. The merger doubled up on purchasing and production with Nash, allowing Hudson to cut prices on their vehicles. American Motors had its first profitable quarter in 1955, and the company began informal discussions with James J. Nance of Packard to outline a strategic vision. When the president and CEO of Nash, George W. Mason, died in 1954, George W. Romney succeeded him. American Motors also developed its own V8 engine and Double Safe Single Unit monocoque in the mid-1950s.
