PT is history

[ptjoe]

Wow, Rumor is and heard on the news today, PT is history.
Chrysler will end production in 2010..
Joe

[Johns Steel Blue]

2009-2010 Chrysler PT Cruiser projections “The PT Cruiser will die in 2008; it will be replaced by a crossover in 2010.” — Automotive News, April 23, 2007

Chrysler Group crossovers coded JC49 (Dodge) and JZ49 (Chrysler) are set to be produced starting in December 2007, with large-scale exports to Europe starting in 2010. The JZ49 might be named PT Cruiser but would not be recognizable to current owners; Chrysler reps have repeatedly said that they cannot evolve the PT’s styling and have no interest in doing so. The Toluca plant is set for a $1 billion upgrade to allow production of the new crossover; it built 177,370 PT Cruisers in 2005, not bad for a “fad car” in its fifth year (2007 will be the seventh year, including 2001).

We have been told that the name of the Dodge version will the Dodge Crew, while the Chrysler will indeed take over from the PT Cruiser, albeit having nothing in common with the current model. DCX reportedly plans to stop the current-model PT Cruiser production in 2009, using the line to export 60,000 D-segment crossover vehicles to Northern Europe. Some of Chrysler's plans may hinge upon the restructuring plan of slash-and-burn man Rainer Schmückle, a plan which is still largely secret.

If based on the Sebring/JC49, the next generation PT would have a V6 instead of a four-cylinder (a four cylinder diesel might be optional), it would also be bigger and heavier, and acceleration would probably be similar. Styling would have no visual references to the current PT Cruiser; Tom Gale and Brian Nesbitt have both moved on.

The 2006 restyling brought considerable cost-cutting to the interior, as well as extra features and turbo power. It is not unlikely that Chrysler is looking at the PT Cruiser as a cash cow, to be milked as long as possible before it is discarded, even though it attracted many new owners to the Chrysler brand.

[pt_tom]

People close to Chrysler also said the retro-styled PT Cruiser will go out of production when its current model ends in 2009. Idiots....

Article here: Big changes loom for new Chrysler

[skylight]

it is still a rumor at this point of time.

if there is a sudden boom for 2008 PT Cruiser in 2008, we might not know what will happen especially a new management is taking over

[Johns Steel Blue]

Originally Posted by skylight

it is still a rumor at this point of time.

if there is a sudden boom for 2008 PT Cruiser in 2008, we might not know what will happen especially a new management is taking over

Nope. It's FACT.

[soonercruiser]

A wise man once said, "Don't believe anything that you hear; and only half of what you see"!
Or, was it Yogi Bera...."It ain't over, until it's over"!

[CREWZIN]

Uh, I think I can hear the fat lady singing

[bobs turbo pt]

all good things come to end sometime

[calicranberry]

anything we can do? how many times did mustang and corvette owners save those cars from death at the hands of dumb corporate execs?

[CREWZIN]

Originally Posted by calicranberry

anything we can do? how many times did mustang and corvette owners save those cars from death at the hands of dumb corporate execs?

Hmmmm. I've been a enthusiastic Vette owner for 21 years now. Don't seem to remember doing anything to keep it going, but I do remember a couple times that the end of the line was threatened. No phone call or letter writing campaign ever crossed my path. In the end, it was other enthusiastic corporate Corvette people that convinced the higher ups to keep the line going.