Renault Le Car

After achieving strong success across France and Europe, Renault set its sights on the American market. The Renault 5 was rebranded as Le Car, a quirky blend of French and English that reflected its European roots.

Unlike the European version, the U.S. Le Car was modified to meet American safety and emissions standards. These changes affected both the design and performance of the vehicle, making it noticeably different from the original model sold in Europe.

Rather than launching an aggressive campaign, Renault took a more cautious approach. The marketing was limited, and the goal appeared to be exploratory rather than expansionist. This was during the post-oil crisis era, when small European cars were trying to carve out a place in the U.S.—but it was the Japanese brands that ultimately won over American drivers.

To help bring Le Car to U.S. roads, Renault partnered with American Motors Corporation (AMC), which handled nationwide distribution. In 1982, a five-door version of Le Car was introduced, offering more practicality to American families. Despite this effort, commercial success remained limited.

What remains today of the Renault 5’s American adventure is a fun pop culture moment: a cameo in an episode of the iconic 1980s TV series The A-Team. A small but memorable footnote in the history of European imports to the United States.