Our six-part documentary comes to public TV and streaming in 2025 as a series of half-hour episodes. Over 30 former employees were interviewed, including designers, engineers, assembly line workers, salespeople, and two CEOs. Their memories, combined with hours of rare archive footage and thousands of historical photographs, bring to life the story of an iconic company during a period of rapid industry change.
The Six Part Documentary Series
About the Rise and Fall of American Motors Corporation
Premiering Nationally May 1st 2025
The Last Independent Automaker covers the rise and fall of American Motors Corporation, a car company that employed hundreds of thousands of people and built millions of vehicles from 1954 to 1987.
Our Sponsors
The Last Independent Automaker is sponsored in part by
How to Watch
How to Watch on TV
Starting May 1st, Episode 1 of The Last Independent Automaker will be
released for national broadcast on nearly 300 Public Television stations,
followed by a new episode each week. Individual stations chose what day
and time to air the program, so viewers should check their local listings or
contact their closed Public Television station for details.
released for national broadcast on nearly 300 Public Television stations,
followed by a new episode each week. Individual stations chose what day
and time to air the program, so viewers should check their local listings or
contact their closed Public Television station for details.
Stream on the PBS App
Also Starting May 1st, The Last Independent Automaker will be
available to stream on-demand for free on the PBS app, with new
episodes added weekly.
available to stream on-demand for free on the PBS app, with new
episodes added weekly.
Watch in 4k Ultra-HD on YouTube
Starting May 22nd, viewers can watch The Last Independent Automaker on the AutoMoments YouTube channel, with new episodes added each week. The YouTube release will be available internationally and will be in 4K Ultra-HD.
Preview screeners are available to the press; see contact info page.
Creative Team
Joe Ligo
Director & Producer
Joe is an Emmy Award-winning media producer. His webseries, AutoMoments, has reached over 7 million views. This success inspired the The Last Independent Automaker and the the goal to make the first in-depth documentary series on the history of American Motors Corporation.
Jimm Needle
Co-Producer & Creative Consultant
Jimm is a digital media creator and entrepreneur with experience creating content for dozens of Fortune 500 companies across the nation. Each of Jimm’s ventures is deeply rooted in creative collaboration. Jimm loves to seek out new talent to create stellar media and relationships.
Patrick R. Foster
Co-Producer & Writer
Patrick is one of America’s best known automotive historians, having written 34 books and over 800 magazine articles during his career. His work regularly appears in Hemmings Classic Car, Old Cars, Collectable Automobile, Crankshaft, and Vintage Truck magazines.