VAM Lerma History

The Lerma was the sole vehicle in VAM's history designed and engineered entirely in Mexico. It combined the wheelbase and floor structure of the AMC Concord sedan with the rear hatchback section of the AMC Spirit, producing a hybrid body style — two-door and four-door hatchbacks — that existed in no other AMC or Renault market worldwide. The only powertrain offered was VAM's 4.6-liter (282 cu in) inline-six paired with a Chrysler TorqueFlite three-speed automatic; no manual transmission was available.

The interior was distinctly Mexican in character: premium locally made fabrics with horizontal carpet inserts, woodgrain and chrome moldings, squared-button custom seats, and integrated rear stereo speakers in the trunk area. VAM positioned the Lerma above the American line as a luxury product, hoping to capture buyers who wanted a hatchback with an upscale feel.

The Lerma was a commercial disappointment. Its premium pricing, modest cargo space compared to conventional sedans, and consumer preference for traditional notchback trunks limited its appeal. Production ran only from 1981 through 1983 before VAM, by then under Renault ownership, ended the line without a successor.