AMC (American Motors) Metropolitan History

The Metropolitan was a tiny economy car built entirely by Austin at Longbridge in England and shipped to North America — an early 'captive import.' It went on sale in the US in 1954, originally under Nash and Hudson badges, then under American Motors/Rambler from 1958 through 1962. It is often cited as the first American-designed car marketed exclusively in North America yet built entirely in Europe.

Pitched as a thrifty second car well before the Big Three offered compacts, it used 1,200 cc and later 1,500 cc Austin engines making about 55 hp and could top 40 mpg. Reviewers praised its economy and nimbleness while noting it was underpowered by American standards. Roughly 95,000 were sold in the US and Canada before it was discontinued.