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Today, we learned that July 9 will mark the last day of production for the venerable Chrysler PT Cruiser. With more than 1.3 million units sold, the PT Cruiser represented one of the first executions of a modern retro car for the masses.
But having soldiered on with mostly cosmetic updates throughout its decade-plus life, the PT will drive off into the sunset less than two weeks from now.
Over the years, we’ve seen the PT Cruiser lineup grow from a single five-door hatchback to include a convertible as well as a turbo model. To keep the PT Cruiser fresh, Chrysler introduced countless special edition trim packages — see this year’s Couture Edition — for the midsize hatch, which was deemed the North American Car of the Year in 2001.
However, the PT Cruiser available for sale in 2010 is nearly identical, mechanically speaking, to the one previewed at the end of the last decade. Though yearly sales have crested the 140,000 mark in the past, Chrysler sold just over 5000 Cruisers in the first five months of 2010.
We’ve written about how we liked the PT Cruiser, and we even ran one as a Four Seasons tester. We wish, though, Chrysler had taken steps to continue the PT Cruiser’s initial popularity with something other than mild cosmetic makeovers.
Today’s Snap Judgment:
Could a reimagined PT Cruiser have a shot at production in the future?
Let us know what you think in the comments section.
Sales data source: Automotive News (Subscription required)
Don’t do it! “PT”: “Piece of Trash”
I bought a 2005 W.P. Chrysler Edition new. I now have 95K miles on it. No, it’s not state of the art like a Juke, but of all the cars in this segment, the PT looks better than any of them. I love the storage capability and the level of trim isn’t bad. Mine has every option except turbo and it suits me fine.
A new version of the PT would be welcomed by lots of people including me. There would have to be better acceleration, a more powerful engine and better reliability to keep up with its rivals. And get the damn power window switches on the door, not the dash!
In the spirt of “Retro” the Cruiser name can be retained and every 7 years a new Cruiser could be launched. Possible Cruisers: 39′ Plymouth Coupe, 55 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer, 1961 Chrysler 300G Convertible, 1969 Plymouth Barracuda. All would make fine retro looks, 5 seat compact size. By changing the look every 7 years you will get repeat Cruiser buyers PT Cruiser, PC Cruiser, DC Cruiser C3 Cruiser etc…
Yes, but under a new name and completely redesigned.
It needs to be fresh again, just as fresh as it was when it first appeared.
Nostalgia still sells, but it needs another twist now. I’d put it on the Jeep Compass platform and make it look like a small Hummer H3 / Toyota FX / LR Defender with some retro elements.
Just a thought.
Uhmm hello? It’s small..why not just make it electric? This is why they needed the bailout. No innovation. Make it electric and it becomes a best seller.
Anyone notice that Chrysler has no strong legacy behind its current brands? The 300 comes closest, but other than that, they don’t have a flagship/marquee brand unless you count the rebadged Voyager/T&C. The PT deserves to be seriously redesigned and the brand maintained, as it has the potential to be Chrysler’s marquee brand. If they do away with the PT, they should give either Chrysler or Dodge the Mercury treatment and put all their brands under one maker. If Chrysler is supposed to be Dodge’s Cadillac/Lincoln, they should have a more premium feel to their lineup, something that’s definitely been missing for a very long time.
Chrysler could survive with out it. Unless they plan to make it very fuel efficient (40MPG or higher) and a reasonably powerful engine at a great price, they should not bring it back right now. They could bring it back later for another generation to enjoy.
Absolutely! When you consider all the manufacturers building retros all over the place, the PT Cruiser deserves a revamp; they could use the platform to be used on the new “Sebring”/Fiat, etc. But obviously, although derivative of the original,it’d better be a brand new design. Chrysler would miss a great chance if they dump the Cruiser.
Absolutely! While others will disagree within this forum, the PT Cruiser is by far an enthusist car. Yes, in it’s current form it is hopelessly out dated mechanically but with the Fiat partnership a new PT Cruiser would not be. Cosmeticaly it would need to be redesigned as well, but still with a retro theme.Where would a new Cruiser fit in? Since it was supposed to be a Plymouth in the first place (PT: Plymouth truck)it wouldn’t work as an upscale Chrysler; possibly as a Dodge or even as a stand alone vehicle in the line up.The PT Cruiser has a legion of die hard fans. Even if Chrysler does not reinvent it, 40 years from now there will still be PT Cruiser clubs and shows. How many other vehicles built in the last ten years inspire that kind of loyalty?
With all the emphasis on crossovers and sportswagons Chrysler should consider bringing back the Magnum in the form of a Charger sportswagon. Killing the Magnum was not an intelligent move in my book.PT Cruiser? Kill it and bring out a new small car line with viable variations of it using the available resources from FIAT et al.
If Chrysler wants to move up market, then it definitely needs to go. Isn’t it still built on the old Neon chassis? Wow. New product please! Shame on you, Cerberus!
YES. Other than Ford, American car companies CANNOT compete with Japanese automakers head to head. Cheap, reliable cars that get good gas mileage and serve a basic function (say no to LCD screens and sunroofs, maybe starting sub-$15,000) are what REAL Americans need. American car companies have not worked to keep up with foreign competition in terms of developing cheap cars. However, if they can keep the bottom line down it may not matter. A completely renovated PT Cruiser could legitimately command the price of the current car, but Chrysler is losing with a 10 year old car that they are selling for a thousand less than far superior Japanese and Korean models. The basic, tall hatch with a modest price and interesting style formula could still work: it still looks so much better than the Nissan Versa hatch, which is flying off the shelves. Now if Chrysler could dig deep and make this car worthy of its pricetag (by improving the car or lowering the asking price), there remains a major market for people who may not read this magazine, because that is the demographic this car is aimed at. Not enthusiasts. So story still has its followers.
Sure. Sometime around 2065 should be soon enough.
The window of opportunity for a new PT Cruiser closed about 3 years ago. Chrysler really needs “new” vehicles.
No. It needs to die.
NNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! :crazy:
Dear Chrysler, Thank you.