Eagle

Origin

Following the introduction of General Motors' Saturn brand automobile, Chrysler promised a similar new brand designed to take Saturn on with innovative design and building methods. A press release by then Chrysler Chairman Lee Iacocca indicated that the company was working on a car that would be known as the "Liberty" which aimed to achieve significant cost savings. However, these plans never reached fruition. However, Popular Mechanics soon reported that the AMC-developed Premier would replace Chrysler's Liberty project attempts at using the K-car platform. The Liberty name was later applied by Chrysler for a Jeep model marketed in the U.S. starting with the 2002 model year, replacing the AMC-designed Cherokee XJ line.

The main objective of Chrysler acquiring American Motors was the long-established Jeep vehicles, but Renault forced the company to take on the contractual obligations of the passenger car models as part of the deal. Another major factor was that, due to state franchise laws, Chrysler could not start selling Jeeps through their existing dealer networks, nor could ex-AMC dealers begin to sell other Chrysler products. Thus, the Eagle marque was born.

Under new ownership, Chrysler quickly discontinued the domestic-built front-wheel drive Alliance and Encore that were developed under Renault (plans by AMC to import the Renault Espace minivan and the Alpine GTA halo car were also scrapped), but continued to build the four-wheel drive AMC Eagle crossover. It was now called Eagle Wagon and marketed into the 1988 model year until production ended in December. This meant the Brampton Assembly (AMC) manufacturing capacity could be used for making more Jeeps. Moreover, Chrysler kept AMC's long-established Eagle brand by continuing to import the mid-sized Renault 21 (renamed Eagle Medallion) as well as starting production of the Renault 25-based full-size sedan that was developed by AMC (renamed Eagle Premier).