22: AMC Pacer
In addition to the Gremlin, there was also another AMC hatchback from this period. The Pacer was sort of a last-ditch effort for AMC to try and regain lost market share. As gas prices increased, the company needed to sell more fuel-efficient vehicles. A hatchback was the natural progression from the large vehicles of the past. The Pacer had a unique design that was far ahead of the curve in terms of competition (via Go Motors).
Hatchbacks were a new type of automotive segment and gained traction with consumers. Fuel efficiency and aerodynamics were two major selling factors behind the rise of the hatchback. AMC was an early pioneer in this segment, with the Gremlin and the Pacer following suit with an equally as polarizing design. The Pacer didn’t reach any major success for AMC, and Chrysler purchased the company later down the road.