Chrysler faced bankruptcy in the late 1970s following the oil shocks (steep rise in the price of gasoline) and cheaper imports from Japanese and German car companies. Chrysler survived thanks to federally guaranteed loans, which came with stiff conditions. Conservatives at the time opposed the loans, which were made by the liberal [[Jimmy Carter administration]]. Chrysler, led by the dynamic celebrity [[Lee Iacocca]] repaid the loans and made profits again in the mid 1980s. It grew big enough to buy American Motors Corp, for $2 billion in 1987. Chrysler created some of the more innovative vehicles, including the [[Minivan]], and the high powered [[Dodge Viper]]. Chrysler sells the largest proportion of its vehicles in America. | Chrysler faced bankruptcy in the late 1970s following the oil shocks (steep rise in the price of gasoline) and cheaper imports from Japanese and German car companies. Chrysler survived thanks to federally guaranteed loans, which came with stiff conditions. Conservatives at the time opposed the loans, which were made by the liberal [[Jimmy Carter administration]]. Chrysler, led by the dynamic celebrity [[Lee Iacocca]] repaid the loans and made profits again in the mid 1980s. It grew big enough to buy American Motors Corp, for $2 billion in 1987. Chrysler created some of the more innovative vehicles, including the [[Minivan]], and the high powered [[Dodge Viper]]. Chrysler sells the largest proportion of its vehicles in America. |