REPORT: Chrysler PT Cruiser gets unlikely stay of execution thanks to Fiat tie-up
We've been telling you that Chrysler's PT Cruiser is destined for death for years now, yet the little wagon continues to endure. Inside Line is reporting that the PT has yet again escaped the gallow's pole, and instead the Little Paddy Wagon That Could will soldier on until December 2010.
The move will reportedly keep Chrysler's Toluca, Mexico plant running until the Fiat 500 and Panda arrive to fill the space. Inside Line says the two models will be built at the site beginning summer 2011, and the six or so months between the final demise of the PT and the beginning of the Fiat era will be utilize to retool the facility.
With the PT Cruiser possibly around for another year and a half, we have no choice but to continue to "enjoy" its retro-ness. Heck, with an 11-year-old platform and a design that hasn't changed much since its inception, the little PT is practically a living, breathing classic car in its own right.
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
bdan 10:05AM (6/17/2009)
another great decision that will help lead chrysler to the top!
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Mr.Oak 10:16AM (6/17/2009)
Aww shut up. The only thing you have to run is your mouth. The company has sell something between now and when the new cars arrive. I have no feelings about the PT Cruiser either way, but you WHINING, Complaining IDIOTS just need to go away.
paul34 10:21AM (6/17/2009)
Yea Mr. Oak, you're right. Criticism is just totally out of line. All those stupid critics should just shut up and accept whatever the "new" Chrysler does! I mean, it's not like our tax money is on the line or something.
Mr.Oak 10:34AM (6/17/2009)
Paul, constructive criticism one thing, incessant whining is annoying.
Fact: Chrysler needs to kill off 70 - 85% of their product line. It needs to be done with careful planning. You can't just euthanize every car that the "CRITICS" who post here doesn't like. What do they sell in the meantime?, Mangoes?
andre lavoie 10:59AM (6/17/2009)
unfortunately Mr. Oak, the sad truth is that Chrysler would be better off selling mangos than PT Cruisers.
zamafir 11:04AM (6/17/2009)
Mr. Oak's pretty off base. Ever look at the PT's sales? Chrsyler would be MUCH better off just scrapping the thing. Anyone defending an ancient model on a decades old platform shouldn't be critiquing anyone critical of the decision to keep it, especially given the very basic fundamentals of car sales.
Coolio 11:41AM (6/17/2009)
My guess is that AB is the only place that Mr. Oak gets called "Mr".
BigWill 1:16PM (6/17/2009)
"Fact: Chrysler needs to kill off 70 - 85% of their product line."
True. though it's funny that didn't really come up a whole lot in bankruptcy court. But everything's going to be OK. According to Jim Press those 789 cast-off dealers were responsible for $1.5 billion in lost sales, so with those dealers gone Chrysler's annual bottom line is already up $1.5 billion. ROTFLPIMP.
sophie 1:36PM (6/17/2009)
he started a sentence "fact: ..."
that is hilarious.
if you didn't laugh the first time, read it again. imagine dwight schrute as a 13 year old commenting on autoblog ...
oh, and the PT cruiser til Dec. 2010? this would've made a great april fools joke post. if only.
Frank 4:57PM (6/17/2009)
zamafir:
"Chrsyler would be MUCH better off just scrapping the thing. Anyone defending an ancient model on a decades old platform shouldn't be critiquing anyone critical of the decision to keep it..."
So, braniac, when are you gonna reccomend that Ford scraps its Crown Vic, Marquis, and Town Car???
BTW, the PT was developed from the 2nd gen Neon platform which came out in model year 99. So it's a DECADE old, not "decades" old. That would be your Panther platform.
aa[ro]n 10:06AM (6/17/2009)
not particularly a fan of PT's but I do have to say they are still selling 100,000+/year. Probably mostly Fleet but they aren't the worst cars either. I know the PT cruiser fans that wrote letters to chrysler are happy it will be around for another year.
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geo.stewart 11:33AM (6/17/2009)
And tooling and design were paid off long long ago.
once past the build cost, its all profit as long as you build to demand.
much like the long lasting Ranger.
Its still a basic solid dependable runabout. They can probably sell these for 10K all day long and make a profit. better deal than a Versa scrimp and save.
aa[ro]n 12:39PM (6/17/2009)
very good point.
Judy Zik 12:50PM (6/17/2009)
I have to agree. These are the same people trashing Ford for still building the Grandma. It all comes down to profits. If a vehicle is making money and there is still a market for it why would you throw it away?
The PT has it's fans. I know someone who bought one of the last convertibles ever made and just loves it. I also know a used car dealer that stocks quite a few because they are cheap and popular. With the tooling and development paid for and cheap Mexican labour and parts why kill it and leave the plant costing you money for a year and a half? Better to keep producing it and actually make money. It may not be the sportiest vehicle Chrysler builds but it is actually one of the more reliable ones. Building it for another year and a half just makes sense.
larry a 2:25PM (6/17/2009)
I have to disagree, respectfully. I see PTs all the time but I know they're a fleet car of some sort. They're good as a rental car I guess because they're so cheap to rent. But they're easily the worst car I've ever driven! I dont even want to get into how bad they are..
ajprice 10:06AM (6/17/2009)
A PT Cruiser is little??! errrr..... ????
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inline6 10:54AM (6/17/2009)
It's smaller than the Civic, Corolla, Focus, Cobalt, etc.
Seeing that there is only one size class of vehicles in America that's smaller than those cars and the PT is right in between that class and the compact cars I'd listed above, I'd say yes. The PT Cruiser is little.
MemphisNET 10:07AM (6/17/2009)
I loved this car, 11 years ago.
It's not so much the design/look that I don't like anymore, its the total lack of advancement/refinement. The 1st gen was also a much better car; better seats, better interior, the front didn't look like a kid pulling his/her mouth to make a funny face --
Well, it's a profit machine (despite sharing few parts with any other vehicle in their portfolio). But the sales have slid off a cliff, so I wouldn't be surprised if this new date is moved up a few months still.
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jpm100 10:13AM (6/17/2009)
Sales may have slid, but by now, the equipment is all paid for and the profit margin is probably above average.
MemphisNET 10:34AM (6/17/2009)
Oh I totally agree, and even with massive rebates they still make money. Again, a little more refinement would have helped to keep it fresh.