First of all, let come back in the middle of the seventies, we are just after the first oil crisis of 1973, the price of barrel WTI increases in a few months by 160%. The American consumers turn more and more to the Japanese cars, more economic, Renault chose this moment to invest itself on this market. The Americans seem to want economic cars, Renault knows how to build them ! The brand was already present in North America, it's through the network of its partner of Detroit A.M.C. (American Motors Co.) that was diffused in relatively small quantities the models made in Europe like Fuego, R18i, and R5 Le Car. Renault wants to succeed and to be competing, manufacturing locally becomes necessary.