Officially Official: Chrysler PT Cruiser to live on
by Sam Abuelsamid on Jul 31st 2009 at 11:32AM 
Chrysler made it official this morning: the PT Cruiser will cruise on -- for at least another year. Earlier this spring, the PT Cruiser was one of several products slated to get the axe as Chrysler madly tried to boost it's bottom line in a failed attempt to stave off bankruptcy. However, shortly after Chrysler Group LLC was born out of the ashes of DaimlerChrysler and Cerberus, a report came out that PT Cruiser production would continue for a while.
Chrysler's Toluca Mexico plant has been building the Cruiser since 2000 and will continue production, although Chrysler isn't saying for how long. Since the tooling is long since paid for, we'd assume the PT will keep rolling off the line until sometime in late 2010 when new Fiat-based cars are expected to replace the Cruiser in Chrysler's revamped line-up. We recently had a chance to drive a "fresh" PT for a week, so stay tuned for a review.
Gallery: 2009 Chrysler Dream Cruiser Series 5
PRESS RELEASE
Cruisin' On
Chrysler PT Cruiser will continue production
Chrysler Group LLC announced today that production of the Chrysler PT Cruiser will continue. The Chrysler Group Toluca (Mexico) Assembly Plant-the exclusive home of Chrysler PT Cruiser-will continue to build the quality-proven, versatility packaged and "too cool to categorize" small car.
"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."
The Chrysler Group changed the landscape of the automotive market when it introduced the segment-busting Chrysler PT Cruiser nearly 10 years ago. Its one-of-a-kind exterior styling and Swiss Army knife-like interior flexibility, offered at a compact car price, redefined the small-car segment and became an instant hit with consumers.
High-quality, craftsmanship, performance and functionality continue to give the award-winning Chrysler PT Cruiser a leg up on the competition. For years, leading consumer magazines and third-party studies have recommended the PT Cruiser for its consistently high levels of quality and refinement-tying for first place in J.D. Power's Initial Quality Survey (IQS) this July.
Some of the Awards the vehicle has won are the following:
• 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Consumer Reports "Recommended"
• 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Consumer Guide, "Best Buy - Compact Cars Category"
• 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Consumer Reports, "Recommended"
• 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Edmunds.com, "Most Significant"
• 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser, AutoPacific, "Top Vehicle customer satisfaction"
• 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, North American International Auto Show, "North American Car of the Year"
• 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, African Americans on Wheels and Latinos on Wheels, "Car of the Year"
• 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Strategic Vision, "Compact Car Segment"
• 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Industrial Design Excellence, "Gold Award"
• 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser, Automobile Magazine, "Best Small Car"
Since production of the Chrysler PT Cruiser began in February 2000 (as a 2001 model), the PT Cruiser lineup has been a continuous hit. The latest flavor, the 2009 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser 5 marked the 14th customized version of the segment-busting small car. The Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 5 joined the Flames, Woodie, PT Dream Cruiser Series 1, 2, 3 and 4, PT Turbo and Chrome Accents models, the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible, the refreshed 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser, the Chrysler PT Street Cruiser Route 66, Street Cruiser Pacific Coast Highway Edition and Street Cruiser Sunset Boulevard Editions.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
oZ 11:39AM (7/31/2009)
Design's a little long in the tooth, but it's a neat little car, efficient for the body type, and probably one of the most reliable cars out there today, especially for little Chrysler. It probably costs them very little to just keep it going, so here's to another year.
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MemphisNET 11:56AM (7/31/2009)
Agreed... I'm disapointed that Chrysler has not updated it through the years -- although I'm sure Daimler/Cerberus had something to do with that.
zamafir 12:06PM (7/31/2009)
It's not neat, it's a pos. I'm stuck in one now. build quality is horrid. seat position? horrid. pedal position? horrid. cupholder/cubbyholes? horrid. visibility due to high belt line and low roof? horrid. comfort? horrid. fuel economy? horrid. cheap aluminum foil looking surround on the cluster? horrid. turning radius? comedicly horrid. Just when i thought the rabbit had atrocious fuel economy and acceleration, this thing is beyond horrid. It’s just a very very bad car. The worst rental I've ever had. A lot of that has to do with the design being long in the tooth im sure, but it's just bad in just about every way you can notice driving/living with it for more than a day.
For something that lists at 18k, I have no idea why anyone bothers giving this thing the time of day in 2009.
MemphisNET 12:12PM (7/31/2009)
@Zam,
They keep selling, they make profit, and the general buying populous is not the autoblog community.
Toyota makes nothing but toasters and can-openers. Sure, they have reliability - but thats about it. VW Group makes amazing vehicles that have terrible reliability/high maint costs, but people still buy those as well. Goes to show you consumers will buy what they want to buy, and as long as Chrysler is happy with the green that rolls in with each PT that rolls out, then good on them.
akboss302 12:32PM (7/31/2009)
@Memphis
So you just pointed to Toyota which as great reliability, and Volkswagen which builds cars like tanks...what advantage is the PT Cruiser putting forward? You're right though, its selling, and I'm honestly amazed. I guess there are a lot of people out there that just want an A-to-B and don't really care what it drives like. The market is exploding with cool new hatchbacks offer the same versatility and a lot more fun.
geo.stewart 12:41PM (7/31/2009)
@ zam,
maily because the 18K list NEVER applies. rebates out the ying yang. bet you can pick one up for 13 or 14 new.
and since most people only use 50-60% of a car's driving ability, the limits of the PT will never be identified.
while its not a horrid car, its certainly lackluster but it was way ahead of the curve when introduced.
oZ 12:44PM (7/31/2009)
When did Volkswagen build cars like tanks? Engines, sure. The rest of the car? Not so much. As for rentals, that hardly counts. Every base model car given through a rental company tends to suck. Hell, I even like the Nissan Altima, but the base model given to me by the rental company almost made me shoot myself. Squeaky, rattly, cheap, anemic.
MemphisNET 12:46PM (7/31/2009)
@akboss302
If by ''VW Builds tanks'' you mean, 'f yea I'd take one for a drive, but wouldn't want to own' - then sure. I'd lease a VW/Audi, but I'd never want it beyond the warranty. My point was more to the fact that people will buy what they want. And Chrysler is selling them (a sale is a sale is a sale, including rental car companies) and IF they're making cash on it, so be it.
Mike P. 1:34PM (7/31/2009)
It's not awful car, and there are better options out there, but if it makes money for Chrysler for the time being, why would they stop selling it?
I remember reading in Orson Scott Card's 'Empire' about how the PT Cruiser he commandeered 'shuddered' at any speed above 100 mph.
zamafir 1:42PM (7/31/2009)
@Mike P. Sounds about right, it's more unnerving at 70 than my MkV is at 120. It's just not a good car. I get it guys, old people buy them, great. that doesn't make it a good car. we're an enthuses blog, the Pt is about as unenthusiastic as a car can get, save only the azteck. And I don't give a rats rear about what it was like a decade ago, i already addressed that in my initial comment, it's 2009.
Nostalgia and resting on their laurels helped put chrsyler in the position they were/are in. Keeping that ball and chain rolling in replies isn't going to make any headway in this argument.
What next, the Beetle was great when it was introduced 11 years ago? I'm a VW fan and I don't give a flying flin, it's a very inept excuse. It’s a bad car. I cannot wait to get rid of it. Worse than anything else I've ever driven in every way. Just go sit in one. Don't even turn it on. just sit in it and marvel at the utter absurdity of the driving position. It’s the tiny car with the feel and handling of a Budget 28’ rental. It’s just plain bad.
akboss302 1:45PM (7/31/2009)
@Oz
"When did Volkswagen build cars like tanks? Engines, sure. The rest of the car? Not so much."
How many other manufacturers offer a 12-year unlimited mileage warranty on corrosion? I'd say they are pretty serious about having their cars on the road for a long time, that's why all the steel is galvanized before assembly. At a price comparable to a Mazda3 or Kia Forte, you'll have to look hard to find this kind of coverage anywhere else.
Frank 3:06PM (7/31/2009)
A little explanation is in order (as well as a little history).
The PT was developed in the late '90's when Chrylser was planning on giving Plymouth a distinct look and feel from Chrylser and Dodge. Then the Germans took over in late '98 and early '99. Before they FUBARE'd Chrysler's great product development process (as well as everything else but THAT'S a story for another time) they made it clear in no uncertain terms that they hated this new car that was about to be introduced. Hated it. They didn't understand it; what it was about, what it was for. So they held up the introduction of the car to make "improvements". One of them was safety. Now the car met all the safety regs of the day but the Germans decreed that all Chrysler's had to be 5 star rated (wonder why Chrysler's today look so heavy and get piss-poor gas mileage? All that weight is great for $60,000 luxury sedan but not so good for a an entry level "fun" Plymouth). So they added weight and the mileage today "blows", especially when you consider the Neon, which it is based off of got great mileage.
Then they had the brilliant idea that getting rid of Plymouth would be a great idea. So the PT was sold as a Chrysler, which didn't make any sense, since it was to retail for 20k. But it sold well at the beginning. People dug the retro styling, and even paid a premium for it. The designer left to work for GM and gave them the HHR (copycat!) and is now in charge of Cadillac.
Even though it was a sales success the Germans didn't care for it (did I mention that they hated it?) and did nothing to improve it. But sales were steady and there were all kinds of "special editions" the marketing boys could come up with. So they kept making it but they started to decontent it as the years went, using cheaper materials on the interior (like today's Toyota Camry) and making NO improvements to the drivetrain.
By the time Cerberus came along the car was too stale and too long in the tooth to do anything about it. It's time had passed. It could have been updated and a new generation developed but it's too late now. And it never had the identity it really should have had as an inexpensive, fun, stylish Plymouth.
Jeremy 3:51PM (7/31/2009)
My 2003 PT GT that I purchased brand new has never been in for unscheduled maintenance, doesn't rattle, and I can fit just about anything in the cargo area all while fitting into just about any parking spot. I also have to admit that it's been the most useful car I've owned.
That being said, it's waaaaaay long in the tooth considering the cars out today. I've driven one of the newer models with the redesigned interiors and absolutely hate the new seats and the wimpy base engine that gets poor gas mileage.
Jim 10:03AM (8/01/2009)
Hey zamafir, you know that thing you like? It SUCKS.
RainCleans 11:39AM (7/31/2009)
Well, this is unfortunate...
"Welcome to the new Chrysler."
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Vincenzo 11:58AM (7/31/2009)
Who's making decisions over there anyways???...Could be my 3 yr.old daughter...just a matter of time before we see the Neon again...
Beastage 2:15PM (7/31/2009)
Tbh I like this car but it really is a badly made car, it needed overhauling 7 years ago, new engines, better suspension, better build quality, better equipment and materials, oh well.
ccwstauffer 10:03PM (7/31/2009)
I'm not buying a car from an American Company who has outsourced it to Mexico or any other country.
derek 2:05PM (7/31/2009)
Nooooooooo!!!!
I thought the PT Cruiser had died along with the Death Star?!
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obliv222 11:45AM (7/31/2009)
This car should of died in 2003.
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