Chrysler PT Cruiser Lives on

2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser

By Thami Masemola
August 2, 2009 3:33 PM
Filed Under: American, Chrysler, Corporate/Financial

Good news for Chrysler PT Cruiser fans is that the new Chrysler Group LLC will not stop production of this retro-styled small car. Chrysler's Group Toluca assembly plant in Mexico will continue to be the exclusive world supplier of this hard-to-categorise hatch.

"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-energising the iconic and award-winning PT Cruiser."

So expect to see more versions joining the existing PT Dream Cruiser Series, the Flames, Woodie, PT Dream Cruiser Series 1, 2, 3 and 4, PT Turbo and Chrome Accents models, the Convertible and others.

 

Source: Chrysler

Press Release (Click to expand)

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. 

About Chrysler Group LLC 
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat Group, produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Mopar® brand vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete effectively on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler’s culture of innovation – first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925 – and Fiat’s complementary technology. Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group LLC’s product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Ram. Fiat will contribute world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-sized cars, allowing Chrysler Group LLC to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles. 

Chrysler Mexico Operations 
Chrysler initiated operations in Mexico in 1938, it actually has 5,000 employees. Its manufacturing operations include 5 plants which are localized in Saltillo and Toluca, as well as the Corporate Building in Mexico City. The products that the company manufactures, imports and commercializes with the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Mopar and Mitsubishi brands, are sold in the domestic market through over 160 dealers in the country. The Chrysler Foundation, recognized by the Latin American Center of Social Responsibility of the Anahuac University for its excellent philanthropic work, supports corporate social responsibility programs in the areas of education, health, culture, community development and natural disasters in Mexico.

Comments

Aluraeo
August 2, 2009 6:05 PM
1.3 million ppl with a great sense of humour...

quilla_b
August 2, 2009 6:06 PM
horrid. its the worst interpretation of a retro-modern car. completely fail.

moparjoe
September 12, 2009 7:02 PM
Regardless if you like the car or not, it was not " completely fail" with over 1.3 million sold. All you foreign car elite should remember the firsts Chrysler pioneered in the industry. Yes, they have made mistakes but I am confident they will get back up on their feet and become a major force in the industry again. Look at Nissan, on the verge of bankruptcy before Renault rescued them. Lastly, Americans should think first and buy American made products. The job you save could be your own ( if you still have one)

Bremen_Koenigsegg
August 2, 2009 6:07 PM
Stop reminding us! The ENTIRE WCF community is better off ignorant of anything except the demise of the PT Cruiser.

awhk
August 2, 2009 6:44 PM
Long live the Garbage Cruiser!!! This is so wrong!!!

zyzyphe
August 2, 2009 6:58 PM
No surprise they had financial problems. With such decisions


Edited by user on August 2, 2009 at 7:28 PM
Anthropos
August 2, 2009 8:16 PM
I LOVE THE PT CRUISER!!! THIS IS GREAT NEWS...

(IN A DESTRUCTION DERBY CONTEXT THAT IS)

I also hate it. Don't do this to us!

machida
August 2, 2009 8:25 PM
Are WCF commenters all less than 9 years old? Otherwise maybe some of you would remember that this car was an enormous hit in the media and the marketplace when it launched. With clever packaging, a high-quality interior, and as one of the more successful retro designs of the modern era, it sold for over MSRP to a long waiting list when it launched in 2000.

The problem is that, in typical Chrysler fashion, they never did much to make the car better, and have let it linger on this way for nearly a decade. If this means they might finally update it (with something less horrid than the Caliber or Compass, perhaps maybe a Fiat-based design), then there is hope for them, and this car.

So let's not hate the old thing, please...she was charming in her youth. She just got neglected by her parents.

afterace2
August 3, 2009 12:41 AM
in 2000...well we have almost 2010 mate. This thing is just soo dated .

ericthedog
August 3, 2009 12:48 AM
I think your right , a lack of development to improve the car has hit it quite hard , your talking about a 9 year old design .

Agree in the 9 year olds on here , although i would prefer sheep , 1 says somethings crap and the rest bleet in like yes men...sheep.

awhk
August 3, 2009 11:31 AM
Wait a minute, Chrysler is going to improve it by putting some flame or wood on it and call it a special edition. It might become a good car after all... Yeah right. Comsumers are smarter than you think Chrysler!!

bmdubsonly
August 3, 2009 7:28 PM
I agree with you. There are so many people that post on here that make the most childish remarks, that cannot spell, that cannot use proper grammar etc., it only makes them look even worse when their comments are so off-base. You hit the nail on the head when you point out that The PT was a victim of Chrysler's (or should I say Daimler's) reluctance to improve/modernize it. Chrysler's announcement to keep it going is a bit confusing now. Perhaps Fiat has influenced the decision and the PT will be brought up to date.

Valteralves
August 2, 2009 8:54 PM
No please no! I in fact did already hated it, but a few years ago I saw this young girl with their parent's in one of these things, a convertible one, beige, and she had a red blush on her cheecks (don't know if that is properly written), and god, that looked like a nightmare in plain day sight! It looked like the beauty and the beast, except there was no beauty in all of that, just the beast!

archytype
August 2, 2009 9:29 PM
Why don't they re-engineer, modernize, fix the poor design and quality issues? Unless they will drop the price to about 5k USD, this is another reason why Chrysler should have gone out of business.

N20_Purge
August 2, 2009 9:40 PM
Chrysler could have done a good move by ending this horrid car's production, but nooo, they just have to go on producing it...

shaahinmt
August 2, 2009 9:52 PM
what a peace of... why bother?

BabyMilo
August 3, 2009 1:01 AM
No, Chrysler just kill it. NO one wants one. I guess Chrysler want to go bankrupt...

bone91
August 3, 2009 2:24 AM
why o why! PT stands for Piece of Trash cruiser!

norther
August 3, 2009 3:52 AM
stupid little car. this should have been the first car to die from chrysler. for f... sakes! we need to hire an... "assassin"

hata0101
August 3, 2009 7:12 AM
a hit 10 years ago is not gonna be the hit now. & they think 1.3 million sold worldwide is so...er...encouraging? that's why U.S. automaker failed. they're still think it's their hay days & think the same "formula" can suceed all the time! but they haven't realize that it's almost 2010 now...

benzboy
August 3, 2009 8:30 AM
Its funny, I work in in for auto rental company, and 99 percent of first time PT cruiser renter's dont know how to open the windows on the car. Who would think to to put the window switches in the middle of the dashboard. These cars are basic underpowered ill handling cars, but aside form that alot of people dont like them , but thats just what I hear.

Dolomight 74-86
August 3, 2009 8:31 AM
Lol!!! Fiat Just made the "Biggest" mistake of their corporate lives! Quel bande de pauve caulice. My buddie's beat up 91 escort was a looker compared to one of these, and faster too. This is an example of why the American business model for selling cars failed, horrid style, little substance. Note to the overlords, the masses will one day wake up and stop buying worthless expensive cheap american\mexico\china made cars. Eventually people will stop giving into their twisted, sadistic sense of patriotism and you guys won't move one P.O.S. off the lot.

moparjoe
October 10, 2009 9:36 PM
Hey Dolo, Patriotism didn't make me buy my 2006 Chrysler 300c Hemi. The car itself did. It has tons of power, gets 20 mpg on the highway, and looks fantastic. It runs great, is solid and I have had no problems. It was the most awarded car in history. It's one of the good things that Daimler did w/ Chrysler before they practically destroyed it. The Chrysler-Fiat deal will produce some amazing cars, then all of you nay-saying, anti-American j---ks will have to eat your words. What do you drive? Probabaly a Japanese piece of junk w/ a pot metal engine block!

Dolomight 74-86
August 3, 2009 8:34 AM
Oh ya and before I forget... EPIC FAIL!

joshg_5
August 3, 2009 10:45 AM
I read the title and said to myself: "why...?"

Ash
August 3, 2009 11:38 AM
I can't understand how anyone could buy this gutless piece of ugly rubbish, it has NO redeeming features...it is a joke...

trinity
August 3, 2009 9:09 PM
It is happening.... again :(

X_man
August 3, 2009 10:07 PM
I dont really care 4 the car anymore its ugly 2 me

View Comment Rules

Add Comment

You are modifying your comment

Exisiting User

Username
Password
remember me

New Users

Username
Email
Password
Comment

Your account

username
password

Other links