Alliance / Encore - "The ones to watch"

 

 

 

 

 

and complies with stricter pollution standards:

- the car is equipped with a catalytic converter,
- a fuel vapor recovery system
Depending on the state, regulations differed, leading to the use of single-point or multi-point fuel injection depending on the required emission control level.

 

 

 

 

 

"European technology... built in America"

The Renault Alliance is the North American version of the "Renault 9", marketed from 1982 to 1987 during Renault’s control of American Motors Corporation (AMC). It differs mainly through its “American-style” bumpers and its four-headlight grille, similar to the Renault 11 and the DeLorean.

It also features extensive chrome trim (side windows, door handles), a bonded windshield instead of a gasket-mounted one, exterior mirrors (breakaway but not foldable), a radio antenna located at the base of the windshield, wheel studs, and higher-quality finishing...

It was assembled (in Kenosha, Wisconsin) and distributed through the AMC network. The “built in America” label was very important in the United States, and the group’s communication strongly emphasized this point. It achieved strong sales among middle-class American customers and was well received by the automotive press, notably by Motor Trend, which named it Car Of The Year in 1983. Reliability became more inconsistent after six years, possibly due to modifications required to meet North American standards. AMC components were a source of many issues.

In any case, on June 20, 1982, the first Alliance rolled off the assembly line (photos below). Long part of Chrysler’s collection, it has recently been sold.

 

 

 

 

 

The Kenosha plant employed 8,000 people, had 32 robots, and produced 950 vehicles per day.
74% of the value (retail price) came from the USA.
The entire powertrain (including the gearbox) was imported from France.

Note that the convertible version was built on the same line as other Alliance and Encore models. The body started as a two-door coupe, then moved to a small secondary line of about one hundred meters where it was cut and reinforced, before returning to the main line.

Three years after the first plans arrived, the Alliance entered production at the AMC Kenosha plant. This plant was divided into two parts:
- the first ("lakeside plant") handled material storage, stamping, panel assembly, and welding
- the second ("main unit") included the engine division, running gear, final assembly, and quality control.

 

 

 

At launch, the range included 2 models: a 4-door Alliance (L42), related to the "Renault 9", and a 2-door Alliance (M42), unknown in Europe, somewhat resembling the shape of the 3-door "Renault 11".

In 1984, the Encore, the American counterpart of the "Renault 11", completed the range.
It was intended to target a different audience than the Alliance, but in reality it ended up taking market share from it.

 

 

Later, in 1985, the Renault Alliance Cabriolet appeared,
and in 1987, the GTA model (2.0L engine - 95 hp).

 

 

 

 

Renault took part in several auto shows (Auto Show / Motor Show) across the United States.
Notably in Detroit, New York, and Chicago.
It also appeared at the 1984 Paris Motor Show with the presentation in France of the 1985 Renault Alliance Cabriolet (convertible).

Special thanks to Detroit Public Library (Digital Collection), and especially to Carla for the time dedicated to research.

 

 

The list of all AMC/Jeep/Renault dealers across the United States is extensive. The club is currently compiling a full inventory and will share the information soon. Here are already some photos found online and in magazines.
Also discover videos of AMC Jeep Renault dealers on the RACP YouTube channel.

 

 

Initial production targets for the convertible model were between 7,000 and 8,000 units per year.
In total, 10,623 convertibles were built, out of just over 600,000 vehicles produced across all models. That represents approximately 10% of R9/R11 sales.