In the early 1980s, one of the country’s smallest automakers released a vehicle that would change the automotive industry forever. Thanks to French influence and changing American tastes, the American Motor Company (AMC) envisioned a new, more compact Jeep Cherokee with a broader appeal. It was to have rugged looks, a simple shape, and a unique platform. However, it wasn’t going to lose sight of its mission as a “go anywhere” and “do anything” vehicle. The Jeep Cherokee XJ arrived in 1984, and over the next 17 years, it became an icon.
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