Motor Authority - blog Category: PT Cruiser

On the back of falling sales and a model run that has lasted more than nine years, Chrysler decided back in January to end production of the PT Cruiser by the middle of this year. In June, we brought you word that the retro-styled wagon would live on for at least another year, and now Chrysler has made the news official.

The rather brief official announcement made it plain that Chrysler isn't just sticking with the PT Cruiser for its good looks, but because it thinks the car is a successful and desirable model.

“The heritage-styled Chrysler PT Cruiser continues to be a global success story,” said Peter Fong, President and... On the back of falling sales and a model run that has lasted more than nine years, Chrysler decided back in January to end production of the PT Cruiser by the middle of this year. In June, we brought you word that the retro-styled wagon would live on for at least another year, and now Chrysler has made the news official. The rather brief official announcement made it plain that Chrysler isn't just sticking with the PT Cruiser for its good looks, but because it thinks the car is a successful and desirable model. “The heritage-styled Chrysler PT Cruiser continues to be a global success story,” said Peter Fong, President and Chief Executive Officer – Chrysler Brand and Lead Executive for the Sales Organization, Chrysler Group LLC. “With more than 1.3 million PT Cruisers sold in more than 60 countries since 2000, we’re excited to announce we’re re-energizing the iconic and award-winning PT Cruiser.” Back in June, Marchionne told Automotive News that production could continue at the car’s Toluca plant in Mexico, and that's exactly what will happen. Released in 2000 with retro looks and an affordable price, the PT Cruiser immediately became an icon for many, allowing dealers to inflate their prices to suit the demand. Fast forward to today and the car remains almost untouched, barring subtle styling changes made in 2006. Sales peaked in 2001, with numbers reaching 144,717 units. Last year Chrysler sold 50,910 units but so far this year the automaker has only managed to move 8,591 units. Keeping such an old vehicle in its lineup may appear an odd move for Chrysler but it’s important to note that the car still sells with essentially zero marketing costs and the tooling required to build it has been fully paid off.Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 Read More

Chrysler co-president Tom LaSorda has confirmed that production of the PT Cruiser will come to end by the middle of this year, citing falling sales and no future updates as the key reasons for the vehicle’s demise. Released in 2000 with retro looks and an affordable price, the car immediately became an icon for many, allowing dealers to inflate their prices to suit the demand. Nine years later the car remains almost untouched, barring subtle styling changes made in 2006.

This makes the PT Cruiser the seventh model to be axed from Chrysler’s lineup since new owners Cerberus Capital Management stepped in. The others being... Chrysler co-president Tom LaSorda has confirmed that production of the PT Cruiser will come to end by the middle of this year, citing falling sales and no future updates as the key reasons for the vehicle’s demise. Released in 2000 with retro looks and an affordable price, the car immediately became an icon for many, allowing dealers to inflate their prices to suit the demand. Nine years later the car remains almost untouched, barring subtle styling changes made in 2006. This makes the PT Cruiser the seventh model to be axed from Chrysler’s lineup since new owners Cerberus Capital Management stepped in. The others being Dodge’s Magnum wagon and Durango SUV, and the Chrysler-branded Crossfire, PT Cruiser convertible, Aspen SUV and Pacifica SUV, reports The Detroit News. Other restructuring plans that Chrysler is looking at include streamlining its dealers so that all passenger cars are eventually sold through Chrysler dealers, while trucks would be reserved for the Dodge brand and SUVs for Jeep. There is also the sale of the Dodge Viper business, which is still in the process of searching for a potential suitor. All is not loss as there are reports that the PT Cruiser may live on, but in China. Chrysler is reportedly in talks with several Chinese carmakers interested in buying the rights and tooling for the car, however, LaSorda has stated that the company has not been approached by anyone yet. Read More

The PT Cruiser has enjoyed a long and surprisingly successful run since its debut in 2000, but rumors of its demise have been spreading for some time. Nevertheless, a graphic designer has taken the time to envision what the PT Cruiser might look like if it were to live on for another generation.

Much more sleekly designed, streamlined and futuristic, the PT Cruiser imagined by Mark Stehrenberger, the graphic designer and speculative renderer for Germany's Auto Motor & Sport, bears only passing resemblance to its somewhat ungainly forebear. In fact, it bears rather more resemblance to Mitsubishi's line of late thanks to the 'fighter jet'... The PT Cruiser has enjoyed a long and surprisingly successful run since its debut in 2000, but rumors of its demise have been spreading for some time. Nevertheless, a graphic designer has taken the time to envision what the PT Cruiser might look like if it were to live on for another generation. Much more sleekly designed, streamlined and futuristic, the PT Cruiser imagined by Mark Stehrenberger, the graphic designer and speculative renderer for Germany's Auto Motor & Sport, bears only passing resemblance to its somewhat ungainly forebear. In fact, it bears rather more resemblance to Mitsubishi's line of late thanks to the 'fighter jet' style grille/intake area. That's not stopping them from speculating about the car's underpinnings or powerplants, however, postulating that the Caliber platform from Dodge is the most likely candidate for such a vehicle. That neglects to notice that the Caliber is effectively a somewhat modernized PT Cruiser, and steps even further away from the recognition that the PT Cruiser was probably successful in part because of its decidedly retro look. Errant details aside, the next-gen PT Cruiser envisioned by the Germans includes a 2.4L four-cylinder powerplant good for about 150hp (111kW) in naturally-aspirated form and 180hp (134kW) when turbocharged. Presumably the 280hp (213kW) turbo-four found in the Caliber SRT4 could also be on the table for a hotted-up SS variant as well, while we're speculating. Given the current state of the market and the expense involved even in re-engineering an existing platform, Chrysler's existing plan to rid itself of duplicate or overlapping models and the rumors that have already been circulating, it seems more likely that Chrysler will just let the PT Cruiser cruise peacefully into retirement. Read More

Chrysler has confirmed that it’ll build the long-running PT Cruiser through until the end of 2009 but has made no promise that a next-gen model will be built or whether the current model will be produced beyond that date. Since its introduction back in 2000, the PT Cruiser has been a sales success for Chrysler but a recent slump in performance means that it may be time to put it out to pasture.

New competition from the increasing number of wagon-like crossovers and the introduction of the retro-styled Chevrolet HHR has seen sales start to slow, but there remains enough demand for the PT Cruiser to remain for a couple more years, ... Chrysler has confirmed that it’ll build the long-running PT Cruiser through until the end of 2009 but has made no promise that a next-gen model will be built or whether the current model will be produced beyond that date. Since its introduction back in 2000, the PT Cruiser has been a sales success for Chrysler but a recent slump in performance means that it may be time to put it out to pasture. New competition from the increasing number of wagon-like crossovers and the introduction of the retro-styled Chevrolet HHR has seen sales start to slow, but there remains enough demand for the PT Cruiser to remain for a couple more years, Chrysler exec Frank Klegon told The Associated Press. More than a million PT Cruisers have been sold in the US alone but markets have changed and Chrysler is preparing to unveil several all new models that fit in similar categories as the PT. In the meantime, the PT Cruiser will continue to sell with new editions such as the new Sunset Boulevard line (pictured) carrying the car until the end of the decade. Read More