Editing AMC Gremlin (section)

==== 1975 ====
[[File:Gremlin rear (5904506887).jpg|thumb|right|1975 AMC Gremlin]]
Changes for the 1975 model year Gremlins included standard [[electronic ignition]] developed by [[Prestolite Electric|Prestolite]].<ref name="pm-oct74">{{cite magazine |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ytQDAAAAMBAJ&q=AMC+polishes+its+petrol+pinchers&pg=PA105 |pages=105, 176|first=Michael |last=Lamm |title=AMC polishes its petrol pinchers |magazine=Popular Mechanics |date=October 1974 |volume=142 |issue=4 |access-date=June 27, 2014}}</ref> All U.S. market Gremlins featured catalytic converters that required the use of unleaded regular-grade fuel. "Unleaded Fuel Only" warnings were placed by the fuel filler and on the [[fuel gauge]]. Gremlins with I6 engines and manual transmissions gained a new option, the electrically operated [[Overdrive (mechanics)|overdrive]] from Laycock de Normanville.<ref name="pm-oct74"/> The 0.714:1 "J-type" unit was controlled by a pushbutton at the end of the turn signal stalk.<ref name="pm-oct74"/> When turned on, the unit engaged automatically at speeds above {{convert|35|mph|km/h|0}} and dropped out at {{convert|32|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="pm-oct74"/> An accelerator pedal kick-down switch provided faster passing when needed.<ref name="pm-oct74"/> Steel-belted [[radial tire]]s were now standard on Gremlins with the X package.

American Motors was promoting its economical models covered by the comprehensive "Buyer Protection Plan" warranty, as well as preparing for the launch of the [[AMC Pacer|Pacer]]<ref name="pm-oct74"/> The automaker was planning to spend half of the entire 1975 advertising budget on the new Pacer.<ref name="hyde">{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=PerGbKxOPZYC&q=1975+Gremlin&pg=PA217 |last=Hyde |first=Charles K. |title=Storied Independent Automakers: Nash, Hudson, and American Motors |publisher=Wayne State University Press |year=2009 |pages=216–217 |isbn=978-0-8143-3446-1 |access-date=June 27, 2014}}</ref> Marketing for the Gremlin included tie-ins with a "Home Value Days" supplement designed to promote 18,500 hardware stores in ''Popular Science''<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=LQEAAAAAMBAJ&q=Win+one+of+3+Gremlins+1975&pg=PA131 |page=131 |title=Win one of 3 Gremlins |magazine=Popular Science |date=October 1975 |volume=207 |issue=4 |access-date=June 27, 2014|author1=AMC}}</ref> and ''The Reader's Digest''<ref>{{cite news |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=8sgxAAAAMAAJ&q=Win+one+of+3+Gremlins+1975 |title=Fall Home Value Sweepstakes |page=175 |work=The Reader's Digest |volume=107 |year=1975 |access-date=June 27, 2014|last1=Wallace |first1=De Witt |last2=Wallace |first2=Lila Acheson }}</ref> as well as with [[Colgate-Palmolive]]'s campaign using [[Willie Mays]] to "Help Young America" in ''Jet''<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=C1sDAAAAMBAJ&q=Win+one+of+3+Gremlins+1975&pg=PA26 |title=Help Young America says Willie Mays |magazine=Jet |page=26 |date=October 10, 1974 |volume=47 |issue=3 |access-date=June 27, 2014}}</ref> and ''Ebony''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=JN4DAAAAMBAJ&q=Help+Young+America+says+Willie+Mays+Gremlin&pg=PA12 |page=12 |title=Help Young America says Willie Mays |magazine=Ebony |date=October 1974 |volume=29 |issue=12 |access-date=September 20, 2020}}</ref>

The U.S. subcompacts were compared to the new, front-wheel-drive [[Volkswagen Golf Mk1|Volkswagen Rabbit]] that replaced the aging Beetle. ''Popular Science'' road tests showed the Gremlin to be the fastest and quietest of all, but had the lowest fuel efficiency with an average [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] rating of {{convert|21|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on}}, compared to the Chevrolet Vega's {{convert|22|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on}}, Ford Pinto's {{convert|23|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on}}, and the Rabbit's {{convert|24|mpgus|L/100 km mpgimp|abbr=on}}.<ref name="ps-june1975">{{cite news |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=NwEAAAAAMBAJ&q=U.S.+subcompacts+vs+the+Rabbit&pg=PA20 |pages=20, 22, 24, 26, 29, 30 |first=Jim |last=Dunne |title=U.S. subcompacts vs the Rabbit |work=Popular Science |date=June 1975 |volume=206 |issue=6 |access-date=June 27, 2014}}</ref> The Gremlin had an I6 engine and a three-speed transmission (in contrast to the I4 engines and four-speed transmissions in the other cars) and weighed over {{convert|1000|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} more than the VW Rabbit.<ref name="ps-june1975"/>

Struggling under [[stagflation]] and an [[Economic history of the United States#Inflation woes: 1970s|inflationary economy]], all the domestic subcompact cars' sales slumped compared to the industry's record-breaking 1973 model year. In total, AMC sold 56,011 Gremlins in the (albeit shortened) 1975 [[model year]], a 67% drop.<ref name="hyde"/> The success of the innovative Pacer launched in mid-February 1975 "severely cut" the sales of both the Gremlin and Hornet models.<ref name="hyde"/>