The Metropolitan started as the Nash NXI concept in 1950 designed by William Flajole, and was contracted out to Austin Motors because it would be cheaper than building it in USA. Austin used their own 1200cc engine from the Austin A40 Somerset, and later the 1498cc (1955) version of the Austin Cambridge B-series engine. Production began in autumn 1953 with first cars being delivered in December 1953. Originally marketed as the 'NKI Custom', by January 1954 the name had become 'Metropolitan'. After Nash-Kelvinator merged with Hudson in mid 1954 the Metropolitan was sold with both 'Nash' and 'Hudson' badges for the respective dealer chains. The Metropolitan 1500 was launched in January 1956 with the 1498cc B-series engine, revised grille and flatter bonnet. For 1957 the name was simplified to 'Metropolitan' whether sold by Hudson, Nash, or Austin in europe. About 95,000 Metropolitans were sold.