More Restyle Uncertainty?

[mvandale]

A restyling is planned for the PT Cruiser for the '06 model year.

Chrysler design chief says PT Cruiser's future 'much hotly debated;' restyling due soon
RICK KRANZ | Automotive News and JENS MEINERS | Automotive News Europe
Posted Date: 11/29/04
DETROIT -- The Chrysler group is debating whether there will be a next-generation PT Cruiser, and, if so, how strong the retro styling will be.

Part of the debate is fueled by the 2006 Chevrolet HHR, a tall, retro-looking wagon that is a little larger than the PT Cruiser. The HHR, which is influenced by the design of the 1949 Suburban, may woo the same group of buyers as the PT Cruiser. The HHR goes on sale next year.

Chrysler group design chief Trevor Creed says the PT Cruiser's future is "much hotly debated."

Asked whether the PT Cruiser is a one-of-a-kind vehicle and whether the market is strong enough to support two retro-styled vehicles, Creed said, "There is much discussion on that right now, and I don't know the answer."

Creed says a restyling is planned for the PT Cruiser, but beyond that "we are not sure what our next move will be." Industry sources expect the restyling to occur for the 2006 model year.

Sales of vehicles with strong retro themes have peaked and fallen. The Ford Thunderbird is expected to be discontinued after the 2007 model year, and the Volkswagen New Beetle may not be redesigned. It may be dropped when sales fall below the level of profitability, a VW source said this year. That is one of the options for the PT Cruiser, Creed says.

Until this year when a convertible was added to the line, PT Cruiser's U.S. sales had been slipping since their peak in 2001, when 144,717 units were sold. Last year, 107,759 units were sold. But sales for the first 10 months of this year were 97,767, up 8.1 percent.

Creed says the automaker had considered adding a two-door wagon to the PT Cruiser line, but that model performed poorly in clinics.

The HHR will be unveiled in January at the Los Angeles auto show. It shares a front-wheel-drive vehicle architecture with the Chevrolet Cobalt and is a little wider and longer than the PT Cruiser.

While he disagreed with their predictions, Creed says many Chrysler group executives had expected the PT Cruiser's late 1930s styling to attract younger buyers. But that didn't happen.

The Chrysler group could try to attract younger buyers with contemporary styling reminiscent of the current vehicle, Creed says. But if the automaker goes that direction, he wonders: "Will you attract young people to it, or will you still not attract young people - and now you have alienated the generation that really did like the PT Cruiser? I don't know."

[quicksilverdon]

1) The HHR is in no way comparable to the PT in overall design - it looks like an SUV with a different nose, that's all.
2) The Thunderbird is overpriced, and a 2-seater.
3) The New Beetle has a useless rear seat and a trunk the size of a glove compartment.
4) No mention is made of the new Mini - which I think is doing quite well.
5) 100,000 cars a year is nothing to sneeze at.

The turkeys should listen to a forum like this one. Keep the overall design theme, but make it rear/all-wheel drive, V-6 with a small-block V-8 option.

[jmack]

I agree. I think that a rear wheel drive/AWD option would be something that would bring people in. Also add a V6/V8 option. I think that a coupe would attract people as well. Or maybe do something in terms of the new RX-8. They could do a suicide door option.......some things I think that should be updated/added to the vehicle are:
a V6/V8 block
more color options
more Mopar add-on options, a la` the way Scion works with their TC Xb and Xa models.
HID headlights
AWD or rear wheel drive
Hardtop Convertible

Those are just a few

[TaylorMade]

I think the new styling should include removal of the bumpers, longer hood, lower, and have it sit back some more. It definitely needs to lose some weight too. Instead of sharing options with the neon, share some with a mercedes or BMW to keep the neon arguments against our car to a minimum. The bigger engine thing is definitely a must.

[purple04]

First, the article. The bird is dropping in 06 (or 07) for poor sales. The reasons are bad launch, heavy, underpowered and overpriced. The styling is okay, but the vehicle is second-rate. The HHR is something GM is trying to compete with the PT, not replace it.
If the launch is sucessful, they will still be coming to the show late. Look at the Caravan. There are other, better models, but the first is the one that everyone still considers. Unless the HRR does many things better, the only interest will be from the die-hard bowtie buyers. One thing they (and DC) should consider is a panel for fleet (business) buyers. The beetle requires unbolting and pulling forward the ENTIRE front body for service. I can't believe there hasn't been more noise about that mess, plus the noted lack of useability.
Now, the concern for younger buyers. Unless they are making enough to buy the car AND trick it out, you can't sell it. Oh, and you better supply the POWER (legal warrantable S1, S2) to make them want it. At least they lowered the price this year. Hope it pans out.
To those who want a AWD, it's possible, but expensive and heavy. Think about the Honda real-time CRX and the Colt vistas. They didn't fare well. As far as rear wheel drive, it would require a complete redesign. Between the fear of retro being over and the looming emissions requirements, there just isn't a business case. My suggestion would be a new millenum Road Runner/GLHS. Do a base model with the turbo motor as a final year swan song for less than an SRT. And Don, 100k cars is the current accepted number for most big Co.s break-even for a mainstream car. That's what killed the Camaro. It was over 100k from 1997-01 except for 1990. They gotta do more colors, and quicker than they did with the Prowler. The 2 tone is a step, but they are all Black top and pretty conservative.

[Richard in Idaho]

The Chrysler group could try to attract younger buyers with contemporary styling reminiscent of the current vehicle, Creed says. But if the automaker goes that direction, he wonders: "Will you attract young people to it, or will you still not attract young people - and now you have alienated the generation that really did like the PT Cruiser? I don't know."

If they turn the PT into a ricer this is exactly what will happen.

[neal]

quote:Originally posted by Richard in Idaho

The Chrysler group could try to attract younger buyers with contemporary styling reminiscent of the current vehicle, Creed says. But if the automaker goes that direction, he wonders: "Will you attract young people to it, or will you still not attract young people - and now you have alienated the generation that really did like the PT Cruiser? I don't know."

If they turn the PT into a ricer this is exactly what will happen.

I don't think Creed meant that young!

[calicranberry]

think this is an interesting and tough decision for chrysler. my two cents. the two main reasons people buy a cruiser are style and versatility, few cars offer what the cruiser does at it's price (why other retro cars have declining sales, once the buzz is gone there is not any other reason to buy them). so i think they need to decide which area to focus on for the next one. also, how does it fit in the DCX line up? if the new neon will be a matrix type wagon and chrysler will make a crossover car between the cruiser and pacifica, what can they do to make the cruiser sell? seems to me that if they pick increased cargo room and interior versatility, things like RWD or AWD (and performance) are out. not sure they could get power to the rears and still have a flat and low load floor. also, maybe the next generation could have a stow and go type interior, or at least more room and storage, which means FWD?! on the other hand, if they pick style (and performance), than RWD with a great engine and factory aftermarket mods (like mini and scion) would be welcome! perhaps they could even think a little bigger. how about a mustang fighter? keep the hot rod look, with a six for the base, a V8 for the GT, and the HEMI for the SRT, and make it the next muscle car?!?!

[purple04]

Cali, I like the idea of moving the PT up a notch (bigger, more power) kind of like what has worked well for Toyota. I just don't see a way to keep the price and weight down and where it would fit into the DC lineup. With the Magnum and Pacifica, a PT would have to be $22-29k, and the current one is there when loaded, without the redesign and as a FWD 4 cylinder. If it moved up much more, it would cut into both of those models. If they also did a convertible, it would be direct competition for the Sebring.
While the weight of the curent one is sometimes derided, the car is smooth and quiet. I'd guess that DC got tired of all the poor reviews in the magazines from years ago, and added metal and insulation to address those issues.
Taylor, have you kept up with the surveys? The Germans are losing ground. Chrysler scored better than Mercedes recently. Even if I fit in the Crossfire, you couldn't give me one. Wait until a few 300 owners have to get the 'quality' mercedes mechanicals/electronics repaired or replaced.

[Kirby]

The PT as it exists is a solid, practical base vehicle. With the current and future gas situation, fixing the flaws on the current model would go a long way. My Suggestions:

*Wind tunnel smothing of styling (small steps).
*4 WD and Positrac available as options on both Manual and Auto.
*Independent rear suspension (one of the great drawbacks of OWNING a PT is the rough back seat ride.
*Optional wheels/tires of 7" or more.
*Make at least one "Stage Kit" CARB legal
*Allow a NAME specialty manifacturer to make a "Signature Model" with some real teeth (not just fluff).