Chrysler confirmed earlier this month that the automaker is going to kill off the slow selling PT Cruiser convertible, Pacifica, Crossfire and Dodge Magnum models. It seemed that Chrysler still had hopes for the regular version of the PT Cruiser.
Well now according to the Wall Street Journal the regular version of the PT Cruiser will be discontinued after the 2009 model year. Although the PT Cruiser is likely to sell 100,000 units this year, sales are still down 27 percent compared to last year.
The PT Cruiser was introduced in 2000 and after eight years the car looks virtually the same. Maybe a redesign somewhere in there would have helped its sales?
Full Story: Motor Authority
Related Stories:
Chrysler Cuts Jobs and Officially Kills Four Models
Chrysler Admits That the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Nitro are Duds
2009 Dodge Journey Unveiled...Yay Another Crossover!
Comments (9)
Oh please god let this be true.
Posted by gm0n3y | November 19, 2007 2:40 PM
Posted on November 19, 2007 14:40
It seems to make good business sense. The PT cruiser was built on a Neon platform and uses the older 2.4liter 4cylinder engine family. Chrysler currently has several models built around the Caliber chassis (Caliber, Compass, Patriot) and so the PT Cruiser is redundant and prohibitively expensive to renew.
Posted by longdxcommuter | November 19, 2007 4:02 PM
Posted on November 19, 2007 16:02
That's too bad. I always liked the PT Cruiser. But given that they already have the Caliber and Compass, how many more 5 door hatchback/wagon/crossover vehicles to they need? They should make a luxo version of the Caliber for the Chrysler brand (with maybe a retuned turbo engine standard) so they can further leverage that chassis and powertrain.
Posted by Peter Stern | November 19, 2007 5:04 PM
Posted on November 19, 2007 17:04
@Peter Stern:
Agreed. I think that it is just too many similar models competing for the same market. Chrysler needs to refine the current Caliber/Compass/Patriot and probably offer a turbo (other that the RT) that will improve performance. Overall I liked the Caliber, but the CVT needs to go and the car needs some lessons in refinement. This is the same chassis that underpins the new Mitsubishi Lancer and that car is solid.
Posted by longdxcommuter | November 19, 2007 5:23 PM
Posted on November 19, 2007 17:23
Path???
You mean 'Cliff'!!!
Posted by rene | November 20, 2007 5:21 AM
Posted on November 20, 2007 05:21
How about something more current competing against the civics and corollas and more lately fits and yarisis (yaris's? whatever the plural is)
you know something cheap to make and to sell, and lightweight making it quicker and more fuel efficient...
i mean seriously is 1.5 Tons supposed to be a compact car? (picking at Calibers here)
Posted by SVT | November 20, 2007 6:30 PM
Posted on November 20, 2007 18:30
how come they are discontinuing the magnum? weren't they heavily marketing that to police departments as service vehicles (use with k9 units and other non-frontline duty)?
Posted by anon | December 29, 2007 6:16 PM
Posted on December 29, 2007 18:16
i cant be. it's a classic. old and new in the same car.
Posted by fabio m | May 7, 2008 7:12 AM
Posted on May 7, 2008 07:12
I have a fresh joke for you) Where does a bird go when it loses its tail? The retail store.
Posted by rosalindavet | December 26, 2009 12:03 AM
Posted on December 26, 2009 00:03