Culture

The Last Independent Automaker

At half the size of its Big Three competitors, American Motors Corporation had to innovate throughout its 30 year history to survive. AMC factories provided new opportunities and a pathway to the middle class for thousands of minorities, women and immigrants. However, the perfect storm of economics, mismanagement, and betrayal would eventually bring everything crashing down.

The Odd Couple

28m

American Motors’ unlikely management team launches a quirky new car to fight the growing wave of foreign imports in the U.S. Despite his colleague’s protests, CEO Roy Chapin Jr. buys the lackluster Jeep Corporation, leading AMC into the burgeoning four-wheel-drive market. A sudden oil shortage rocks the industry but boosts small car sales.

Episodes

  • The Odd Couple: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Odd Couple

    S1 E103 - 28m

    American Motors’ unlikely management team launches a quirky new car to fight the growing wave of foreign imports in the U.S. Despite his colleague’s protests, CEO Roy Chapin Jr. buys the lackluster Jeep Corporation, leading AMC into the burgeoning four-wheel-drive market. A sudden oil shortage rocks the industry but boosts small car sales.

  • The NOW Cars: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The NOW Cars

    S1 E102 - 28m

    After saving American Motors, president George Romney launches a career in politics. His successor takes AMC upmarket, but struggles to capture young baby boomers who want faster, sportier “muscle cars.” In response, the company makes big changes to its products and public image.

  • The Missionary: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Missionary

    S1 E101 - 28m

    The Missionary: The U.S. car market booms in the wake of World War II, until a price war between Ford and Chevrolet decimates competitors. American Motors Corporation is created through the merger of two smaller companies. To survive in an age of conspicuous consumption, president George Romney boldly bets the company’s future on a new niche: economy cars.

Schedule

  • The Last Independent Automaker: TVSS: Staple

    The Last Independent Automaker

    The Odd Couple

    Tuesday
    May 20

    30 Minutes

    The management team launches a quirky new car to fight the growing wave of foreign imports in the U.S.; CEO Roy Chapin Jr. buys the Jeep Corp., leading AMC into the four-wheel drive market; a sudden oil shortage boosts small car sales.
  • The Last Independent Automaker: TVSS: Staple

    The Last Independent Automaker

    The Pacer

    Saturday
    May 24

    30 Minutes

    American Motors Corp. spends a fortune developing the Pacer, but its radical engine design can't pass pollution regulations and consumers are disappointed with its mediocre gas mileage; two men jockey for the CEO suite.
  • The Last Independent Automaker: TVSS: Staple

    The Last Independent Automaker

    The Pacer

    Sunday
    May 25

    30 Minutes

    American Motors Corp. spends a fortune developing the Pacer, but its radical engine design can't pass pollution regulations and consumers are disappointed with its mediocre gas mileage; two men jockey for the CEO suite.
  • The Last Independent Automaker: TVSS: Staple

    The Last Independent Automaker

    The Pacer

    Tuesday
    May 27

    30 Minutes

    American Motors Corp. spends a fortune developing the Pacer, but its radical engine design can't pass pollution regulations and consumers are disappointed with its mediocre gas mileage; two men jockey for the CEO suite.
  • The Last Independent Automaker: TVSS: Staple

    The Last Independent Automaker

    The Alliance

    Tuesday
    Jun 3

    30 Minutes

    Gerry Meyers partners AMC with French automaker Renault to build a new fuel-efficient car, but a national recession and second oil crisis threaten to destroy the partnership before the car is ready.

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