Chrysler PT Cruiser production to end this summer
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Chrysler PT Cruiser Dream Series 5
Ye old Chrysler PT Cruiser is going the way of the dodo this summer, and according to Chrysler LLC President Tom LaSorda, the automaker is actively pursuing a sale of the equipment used to build the PT in Toluca, Mexico.
Speaking with Bloomberg, LaSorda was kind enough to both ask and answer his own questions, saying, "Would we sell those assets? Yes. Do we have any offers to sell those assets? No. Would we be pursuing a buyer? Yes." That makes for an easy interview...
Sales of the PT dropped by 49% last year, with only 50,910 vehicles leaving dealer lots. That's down from the PT's peak when Chrysler was able to offload 144,717 models in 2001. The PT's demise doesn't come as a surprise, particularly considering that Chrysler's owner, Cerberus Capital Management, has slashed six other models from the automaker's lineup since it took control in August 2007. For those of you keeping count, the PT's timely death means that the Chrysler badge is only affixed to three models: the Town & Country minivan, Sebring and 300C.
[Source: Bloomberg]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Alex 1:36PM (1/15/2009)
finally!
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Rob 1:51PM (1/15/2009)
BUT WHAT WILL ALL THE OLD PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BE YOUNG AND HIP BUY?
PS: TYPING IN ALL CAPS IS COOL, ASK AUTOBLOG!
Kimura 1:55PM (1/15/2009)
@ Rob
Apparently, Scions
inteller 1:57PM (1/15/2009)
well, at least GM won't have to decide between this and the HHR when they merge with Chrysler this summer.
firstplace 8:15PM (1/15/2009)
another nail in the coffin.
MemphisNET 1:39PM (1/15/2009)
Tons of sales, little investment, fairly reliable, etc etc
Styling is subjective -- but Chrysler did very well with this. Kind of a shame it wasn't refined a little bit more.
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Judy Zik 4:44PM (1/15/2009)
+1
This car has lived through a million deaths already. I mean that is a Neon hiding under there for crying out loud. If Cerbyler had invested anything in updating it this car could have soldiered on. It has always been a solid seller despite lack luster fuel economy for it's size and a weak engine and transmission. Imagine how well it could do with a more modern platform and powertrain. Instead it will probably join the old Stratus/Sebring (Siber) in production by Gaz of Russia. So fear not PT fans. You will at least likely still be able to buy a new one for a few more years and parts will be available for a long time to come. Even if you have to get them shipped from Russia.
cathy 12:40PM (1/18/2009)
I have had two PT's. First the hatchback and now the convertible. I loved them both. I have had no major trouble with either car and I am sorry to hear they will no longer make them.
Alvin 1:42PM (1/15/2009)
I think I shall have a few shots in celebration. Good move Chrysler...one less crapmobile in your line up.
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Kaptain75329 2:08PM (1/15/2009)
Agreed. And if there was ever an example of a make-work program, this is it.
We need more of this sort of clean up. I'm looking at you, Ford.. that Mecury Grand Maquis is older than Harry Houdini's corpse.
ItGuy 2:45PM (1/15/2009)
What you forget about the Marquis is that's the reason fleets buy them.
It's the same car so parts are available in droves.
It's the same car so you don't have to train your mechanics differently.
It's the same car so you don't have to stock tons of different parts
It's drop dead reliable.
It's got OK fuel economy
It's built like a tank.
There's no reason they can't still build them for this purpose only.
Kaptain75329 4:29PM (1/15/2009)
ItGuy,
Why so serious? I'm very sure your Grand Marquis is as pretty as the day grandpa gave you the keys. (Such passion for a lifeless vehicle.. can't see why you'd be so defensive unless you own one yourself. Lighten up.)
Anyway, your points are all fine and dandy, but for your information, that's what happened to the Crown Vic. We're not talking about fleet relegation here - the Grand Marquis is still on dealer lots to this very day. Your point would be contextual if you're weren't actually talking about a consumer-oriented car available for sale to the general public right now.
cBraunDesign 1:42PM (1/15/2009)
What about the Aspen?
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Frank 1:47PM (1/15/2009)
Aspen is already Tango Uniform. The Newark, DE factory where it and the Durango were built closed last month. It is unknown but not expected that the Aspen will come back when the next generation Jeep Grand Cherokee is produced.
Cory 1:47PM (1/15/2009)
Actually, when it came out it was super groovy, and actually a pretty decent packaging exercise. But for me the novelty of the design got to the point where all the factory stick on flames and fake wood paneling in the world could make it interesting. Maybe wood grain flames on the other hand...
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akboss 1:48PM (1/15/2009)
To be fair, this vehicle was pitifully neglected. I had a 2-week rental in a 2008 model, and the drivetrain felt like it came from a 1998 Neon - and correct me if I'm wrong, but I think most of it did. I could never bring myself to buy one, not just because the outward appearance doesn't appeal to me, but because it felt like something old that was just wearing a mask.
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ROB 1:51PM (1/15/2009)
THEN IT MATCHES IT'S DRIVERS! HAHAHAHAH
HDSalinas 1:50PM (1/15/2009)
I think that the PTC was a great idea. I always felt that during the 90s Chrysler had great ideas and designs (like the Viper), then it lost it. Now seems confused.
A new PTC would have been nice, the current one looks sooooo old. its a shame.
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Frank 1:50PM (1/15/2009)
The car had a lot of fans and a lot of sales. But Daimler didn't like it and since they were calling the shots Chrysler let it whither on the vine. By the time Cerberus took over it was considered too far gone to resuscitate. The factory where it's made also produces the Dodge Journey (it's a true flex facility - it can actually build two different vehicles - not just two variations of the same platform).
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verytuscan 1:52PM (1/15/2009)
Good news!!!
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