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Enthusiast starts petition to save the PT Cruiser
Scott Kissinger knows a thing or two about Chrysler's PT Cruiser. In fact, he knows enough about it to have started ptenthusiasts.org in 1999, before the the PT was even for sale.
So as one who loves the PT Cruiser and who also has an investment of time and money in the nameplate, we imagine Kissinger pretty much freaked out when he heard Chrysler might not continue producing a retro wagon. So he started a petition to encourage Chrysler's new owners to bring the Cruiser back for a second generation. And he's got several good points.
You can read the entire petition on Kissinger's site, savethept.com, or after the jump, but here are a few of the most insightful points it makes. First, the PT continues to be Chrysler's second-best selling vehicle. Second, the car's distinct styling has inspired legions of dedicated fans and enthusiast groups who would be about ready to replace their first Cruiser with a newly re-designed one. Third, not only should Cerberus continue Cruiser production, the company should retain the 1930s hot-rod look, but also introduce more variants including a two-door coupe much like the original Pronto Cruizer concept, as well as a two-seat roadster akin to the Prowler, but with a usable trunk.
I have to admit some bias here. I've owned a PT Cruiser since 2001, when I drove more than three hours to buy an Inferno Red 5-speed PT. Since then it's been the best car I've ever owned and I, too, find it hard to believe Chrysler is considering abandoning seven years of success, and 2006 sales of almost 140,000 cars. I've signed the petition and I encourage those who appreciate highly usable utility, packaged in distinct sheet metal to do the same.
PETITION LETTER:
To:
Cerberus Capital Management L.P.
Chrysler LLC
To Whom It May Concern:
We, the undersigned, would like to respectfully present the following.
1. The PT Cruiser has done exceptionally well in the marketplace.
a. Sales of the PT in North America, even in the 7th year without major updates are second only to the much newer Chrysler 300, exceeding the sales of even the brand new Sebring.
b. Over the course of the 7 years the PT Cruiser has been on sale, by Chrysler's own admission, sales have totaled well over 1.2 million copies world-wide.
c. Sales have remained strong, even with little investment on the part of Chrysler to provide updates or more than token special editions.
d. The PT Cruiser, in a time when Chrysler is pushing to become a player in markets outside North America, has found success in dozens of countries.
e. The PT Cruiser has generated such incredible enthusiasm from its owners, that numerous national, international, and regional clubs; several aftermarket vendors and customizers; and many web sites have been devoted to the car.
f. Many PT Cruiser buyers were conquest buyers - coming from cars not built by Chrysler or its affiliates.
2. The market is ripe for cars like the PT Cruiser
a. Small cars are making a come-back in a world of ever increasing fuel prices.
b. Previous owners of large utility vehicles are looking for replacements that do not sacrifice utility even in smaller packages.
c. Sales of similarly themed vehicles (Chevrolet HHR, for example) are strong and growing. This signifies that the market for heritage-themed vehicles is strong even among buyers that have not already purchased a PT Cruiser.
We would like to suggest the following.
1. A new PT Cruiser should be built.
2. It should be offered in a retro-themed form similar to what is currently available.
3. Chrysler should, as finances allow, consider building more variants of the PT Cruiser as have been requested by the PT Cruiser community in the past.
4. We, the undersigned, would be interested in buying at least one and would recommend them to family and friends much like we have in the past 7 years.
Respectfully yours,
The Undersigned
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Vinny 11:40AM (8/22/2007)
Why don't they just invent some other car that middle-aged women will drive?
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Johnnie 11:43AM (8/22/2007)
I'll sign a petition to get rid of the car for good!
I call it a PT Loser.
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Don 3:17PM (8/22/2007)
It's the petition to the question nobody asked.
sw 11:43AM (8/22/2007)
It was an alright car, it's time has passed, so shall the car.
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Allan 11:44AM (8/22/2007)
"the company should retain the 1930s hot-rod look"
I'm sorry... but did someone just use the term "hot-rod" while discussing a PT Cruiser?
While I may not like the PT Cruiser (IMO, it's nearly Aztec-ugly)... I do agree that it would be quite retarded for them to stop making it. But it does sound about right...
"Hey, this model is selling pretty well still!"
"Great! Let's stop making it!"
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Shadyman 11:45AM (8/22/2007)
"2. The market is ripe for cars like the PT Cruiser"
Solution: Chevy HHR.
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YouFaceTheTick 11:46AM (8/22/2007)
My fiancee's uncle has one. His kids call it the Loser Cruiser. We had one while her A3 was getting repaired (idiot hit her parked car). We ended up calling it the Loser Cruiser too. What a shoddily made POS.
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jw 11:49AM (8/22/2007)
the car drove poorly anyway...sways all over the place...
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Justin 5:09PM (8/22/2007)
compared to what? And were you autocrossing/racing it or what? I've ridden in an '04 in normal driving conditions and noticed none of that.
Mike 7:29PM (8/22/2007)
I don't understand - I haven't read a single positive review of the car. Why would they want to continue building it as-is?
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Frank 9:38PM (8/22/2007)
They sponsors of the petition don't want to keep building it as is (ie neglecting it). They want to improve it and produce a new generation. I fine with that, as there is a still a market for this car. Otherwise we might all have to drive the same faceless appliances that you can't tell apart without the badge on the back or sides.
catgirlshyla 11:44PM (8/22/2007)
Give it RWD and it'll sell like Hotcakes!! Fail-Wheel-Drive For The Lose!!
Captain Highpants 3:34PM (8/30/2007)
Problem is, you need to read more. There's been many good reviews over the years.
The PT Cruiser isn't perfect and no car is.
However, it does offer a very nice combination of retro looks, good performance (especially with the turbo) and great versatility (think "micro van").
If folks can't understand the appeal of that combo, then it's time to smarten up.
Esprit bird 12:09PM (8/22/2007)
I'd rather have families drive that and buy them for their 17 year old daughter to crash around in rather than a Escalade.
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srivendel 12:12PM (8/22/2007)
So Chrysler gives us a Jeep Compass, but it wants to kill off the Cruiser? Idiocy.
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felipe 12:11PM (8/22/2007)
see ya!! hate that dopey looking car, and my buddy has one. rattling, shotty, poor made POS
take the dumb HHR with you.
"hot rod" .... that's a freaking riot.
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Paul 12:32PM (8/22/2007)
The post says "hot rod LOOK"
No one suggested it was a performance car.
Allan 5:56PM (8/22/2007)
Sure.... "hot rod LOOK."
But if that thing resembles anything like a hot rod, I'm richer than Bill Gates.
Ray L 12:27PM (8/22/2007)
Wow, harsh comments. I thought the PT was a decent looking car and the time I rented it, it drove pretty nice.
Any model that sells 140,000 copies a year needs to be saved as it is a cash cow.
If you want to ditch something, get rid of the Compass or the Sebring. Now those are loser vehicles.
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Rodstar 12:23PM (8/22/2007)
Good riddance! A friend of mine had one as a rental for one week. He couldn't wait to get his Impreza back. I still cannot believe they put the power window switches on the dash by the clock/radio...I have no problem with retro styling. The Dodge Challenger looks sweet. The PT Cruiser needs a makeover.
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