The AMC Gremlin is a subcompact car that was made by the American Motors Corporation (AMC) for nine model years. Compared to its competition, The Gremlin reduced development and manufacturing costs by adapting the distinctive abbreviated tail to the compact Hornet, producing what was described at its introduction as the first domestic-built American subcompact car. AMC's designer Richard A. Teague may have come up with up the Gremlin's name. AMC apparently felt confident enough to not worry about the word's negative connotations. Time magazine noted two definitions for "gremlin": Defined by Webster's as "a small gnome held to be responsible for malfunction of equipment." American Motors' definition: "a pal to its friends and an ogre to its enemies." The car was introduced on April Fools' Day 1970, six months ahead of subcompacts from Ford and GM. It was created to compete with imported cars from Japan and Germany; and although its appearance received some criticism, the Gremlin had an important advantage with its low price.