Engineer's Dream Car of the Future 1979

The New Book of Knowledge.  NY:  Grolier Inc., 1979.

Taken from the encyclopedia's entry on automobiles which was written by Erik J. Pierce, American Motors Corporation.  Mr. Pierce opined:

"In the late 1960's and early 1970's, American automobile manufacturers received much unfavorable criticism.  Auto safety, lack of quality control, and contribution to air pollution were the chief points on which the industry was attacked.  The federal government passed laws establishing standards for exhaust emissions and auto safety.

    During this period small foreign cars increased rapidly in popularity.  These cars cost less to buy than American cars, they used less gas and oil, and they were easier to park and to guide in traffic.  To meet the competition of small foreign cars, American manufacturers developed their own lines of 'sub-compact' and 'mini' cars.  Some of the new cars were designed so that the average owner could make many of his own repairs."

Really?  How is it that I missed this?  In any event, AMC itself passed into history less than a decade after Mr. Pierce's encyclopedia entry.