WI Renault saves AMC

This thread is based on "mercedes saves chrysler."
WI the Renault involvement with AMC had led to a merger of some sort. How would this have affected AMC product development. Any ideas??? Does AMC take Renault designs and Americanize them or do they eventually develope American cars with Renault technology. American cars with a French flavor. Would any of this have placed AMC in a better position to deal with Japanese imports? Any ideas would be appreciated.
 
WI the Renault involvement with AMC had led to a merger of some sort.

Technically, it already had - when AMC was purchased by Renault and Renault spun off AM General at the same time (since, at the time, the French Government held a significant stake in Renault). If the "alliance" between AMC and Renault was made into a formal merger, it wouldn't be too different. The question here is: does the Brampton, Ontario plant get built, as in OTL? In the mid-to-late 1980s, when that plant was completed, it was among the most modern that was in Renault's arsenal.

How would this have affected AMC product development?

Well, if Nash and Hudson could have been better differentiated, that could have been a huge plus. Renault would be at the top, obviously. Other than that, I don't see much in the way of any change in product development at AMC.

Does AMC take Renault designs and Americanize them or do they eventually develope American cars with Renault technology.

I could see a bit of both, obviously. The Renault Alliance and Renault Encore, for example, were "Americanized" versions of the Renault 9 and Renault 11, respectively.

Would any of this have placed AMC in a better position to deal with Japanese imports?

Probably, but you have to get past the build quality problems of the 1970s and get some good union relations with AMC. That would be a start.
 
Top