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PTCCmike
Cruiser Veteran
/ Moderator
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Aug 17, 2007, 8:44 PM
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Sun may be setting on Chrysler's PT Cruiser
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Sun may be setting on Chrysler's PT Cruiser
By Dee-Ann Durbin / Associated Press
Article Launched: 08/15/2007 12:00:00 AM MDT
ROYAL OAK, Mich. -- Chrysler said Tuesday that it would build its iconic PT Cruiser at least through 2009 but made no promises after that, fueling speculation that the stylish retro wagon hurt by a recent slump in sales could be on its way out.
Larry Lyons, vice president of Chrysler's front-wheel-drive product team, wouldn't give any more details on the PT Cruiser's future as he introduced the Sunset Boulevard edition on the sidelines of the Woodward Dream Cruise, an annual classic car fest in suburban Detroit. The Sunset Boulevard is the 11th in a series of customized PT Cruisers.
When it went on sale in 2000 the PT Cruiser was a triumph of Detroit design, with the eye-catching looks of a gangster's getaway car. Chrysler expected to sell just 70,000 PT Cruisers a year but sold more than double that in 2001. The company has sold nearly 1 million Cruisers in the United States in the vehicle's lifetime.
"I think it was really emblematic of Chrysler taking the mantle of styling leadership," said Jack Nerad, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book. "Along with the Dodge Viper and the 300C, it really represented the fact that Chrysler was getting very expressive and creative styling-wise. It influenced everybody."
The PT Cruiser's U.S. sales were up 4 percent in 2006, to 138,650, or nearly as many as the hot-selling 300C sedan. But they've begun to falter as the PT faces competition from other retro models such as the Chevrolet HHR and from the growing number of wagonlike crossovers on the road.
Nerad said Chrysler also is facing more competition on the styling front than it did in 2000. PT Cruiser sales were down 25 percent in the first seven months of this year, according to Autodata Corp.
Despite the drop, demand is still strong enough for Chrysler to continue making the PT Cruiser, Frank Klegon, Chrysler executive vice president of product development, told the Associated Press.
"It's built in Mexico. It's in a very good financial position because it's a low-cost plant. It's very efficient," Klegon said. "Demand obviously has softened up. We'll build out in a reasonable period of time and that will be it."
Klegon said the company has some surprises on the drawing board, possibly a funky small truck or other niche vehicle that could take the PT Cruiser's place and be built on existing, flexible underpinnings. Klegon wouldn't give further details.
Chrysler is also expected to unveil a small crossover vehicle that performs many of the same functions as the PT Cruiser.
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Mike Challis - PT Cruiser Club Founder
PT Cruiser Club is built around a community of people with the same interest (the Chrysler PT Cruiser), nowhere else will you find so much PT Cruiser information and as many enthusiasts.
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Posts: 4920 | From: Long Beach, WA
| Registered: Sep 1, 1999, 12:00 AM
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MICKEY41
Cruiser Addict
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Aug 25, 2007, 5:05 PM
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Re: [PTCCmike] Sun may be setting on Chrysler's PT Cruiser
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 Hi Mike, I wasn't sure if I should write to you as no one else is saying anything about this.
The reason I am writing is that I feel you or we should give recognition to one member who is doing everything he can possibly do to Save the PT Cruiser. He has posted on every PT club there is. He has encouraged everyone and took some heat for it. I admire this man greatly. He has passed out his flyers, he is fighting so hard. You may know who I mean. It is PT Dave and I am proud to call him my friend. Thank you, Mary Koch,/mickey41
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2005 ELECTRIC BLUE CLASSIC
The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age.
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Posts: 862 | From: Gilbert, Arizona
| Registered: Apr 24, 2007, 8:45 AM
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LeoCruiser
Cruiser Expert
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Aug 25, 2007, 8:04 PM
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Re: [PTCCmike] Sun may be setting on Chrysler's PT Cruiser
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 It is a shame that the PT is on it's way out. It had a good run though in it's short 8 or so years. It started a new segment in vehicle design which others are now copying. Even if the buzzards land on the PT, it has left a mark on the whole auto industry. In the war of the retro vehicles, namely the PT vs. HHR; the HHR does not win by default because the PT is the original retro car and the HHR is the closest thing to plagiarism as you can get. 
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"I rate enthusiasm even above professional skill."
-Ed Appleton
My PT:
http://www.ptcruiserclub.org/...ut14831/gallery1.htm
2002 Steel Blue
Classic Edition
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Posts: 290 | From: N/A
| Registered: Jul 3, 2007, 8:23 PM
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silvereagle
Cruiser Addict
Posted: Aug 28, 2007, 4:57 PM
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Re: [MICKEY41] Sun may be setting on Chrysler's PT Cruiser
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I would hope that Chrysler get's on the ball now that they have new owner's The PT Cruiser should have a line of there own, not just the four door sedan and the convertible. And if they need to expand the model do so. They could even help the durango sales if Chrysler only read between the lines a little .Every one wants more power, They want Four wheel Drive so Why can't they give it to the Poor little PT. ,By adding it's design and putting it into the gas gusseling Durango. Limited edition only. A Durango with a PT design. Picture that one. A PT design on the ram wouldn't hurt anything either.
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big jim
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Posts: 867 | From: New Castle ,Del, USA
| Registered: Aug 6, 2002, 12:00 AM
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grammy189
Cruiser Expert
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Aug 28, 2007, 8:31 PM
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Re: [MICKEY41] Sun may be setting on Chrysler's PT Cruiser
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PT Dave lives in the same city I do and I know him well. He is just as he appears in these forums "a PT lover" lets help him and sign everything we can to save the PT.
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Posts: 142 | From: OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA.
| Registered: Feb 10, 2005, 10:42 AM
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MICKEY41
Cruiser Addict
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Aug 29, 2007, 5:16 AM
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Re: [grammy189] Sun may be setting on Chrysler's PT Cruiser
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Hi Grammy, Thanks for your support. There are so many of use that feel like you do.
I have given up on my state. I have put my cards on countless PT's in town and no interest has been shown. I have spent a lot of time at my local dealership, where they let me plead my case to customers. They call me their PT sales woman.
I have modded out my PTC to try to make a statement, as best as I could afford to do. People do a double take and ask questions but I am discouraged when I talk to them and they all make excuses as to why they would not own one. This is a SUV and truck state.
I have a list of the used cruisers in town and check with all dealers often. The same cars are always still there. To people that I know, a car is just transportation, to be left dirty and uncared for.
I wish I could be of more help. I will be so glad for this Midwest Regional. I need encouragement from others that feel as I do. Thank you for caring. I look forward to meeting you soon,
Mary 
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2005 ELECTRIC BLUE CLASSIC
The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age.
(This post was edited by MICKEY41 on Aug 29, 2007, 5:22 AM)
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Posts: 862 | From: Gilbert, Arizona
| Registered: Apr 24, 2007, 8:45 AM
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MICKEY41
Cruiser Addict
PT Cruiser Club Member
Posted: Aug 29, 2007, 5:48 AM
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Re: [PTCCmike] Sun may be setting on Chrysler's PT Cruiser
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MIKE. This is what I received today from Chrysler. What do you think? Are they trying to encourage people to buy the PTC or is this just a generic advertisement that they send out to everyone? This whole thing makes me very emotional. When I see the new ones and my heart goes out to them. I feel they are beautiful. I passed around my information book for all the office people and they are not interested although I have told them the reason for the change in my attitude since buying one.
I posted this because even the emblem makes me cry. Mickey
   Dear Mary Koch,
Thank you for your recent interest in the Chrysler PT Cruiser. By now, you should have received your Chrysler information package in the mail. If you have not, please contact us at 1-800-CHRYSLER. Let this be the year that you discover the exciting performance, sleek styling, and high-tech safety features that prove time and time again that Chrysler is Engineered Beautifully.
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No deductible. See dealer for a copy of limited warranty and details. Non-Transferable. Not available on certain fleet vehicles. On purchases beginning 7/26/07
*Financial terms and length of contract vary by model. Offer available to qualified buyers who purchase an eligible model within program parameters. Consumer Allowance offer ends 08/31/2007. Residency restrictions may apply. See your dealer for details.
†0% APR financing for 60 months equals $16.67 per month per $1,000 financed for well-qualified buyers through Chrysler Financial with 10% down. Not all buyers will qualify. Chrysler has the right to amend, modify or cancel all incentive offers without prior notice. Chrysler Home Page | Contact Chrysler | Privacy | Unsubscribe
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2005 ELECTRIC BLUE CLASSIC
The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly and lie about your age.
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Posts: 862 | From: Gilbert, Arizona
| Registered: Apr 24, 2007, 8:45 AM
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