Chrysler LLC President Tom LaSorda, recently spoke with Bloomberg and announced the death of the PT Cruiser this summer.
It's not much of a surprise since sales of the PT Cruiser were down 49 percent last year for a total of 50,910 units. The PT Cruiser's most successful year was 2001 with 144,717 units sold.
Chrysler is also actively pursuing the sale of the equipment that is used to produce the PT Cruiser in Toluca, Mexico.
The death of the PT Cruiser leaves the Chrysler brand with only three models, the 300C, Sebring and Town & Country minivan.
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Comments (19)
What a shame, little wonder Chrysler is in the condition it is.
This was a great little car when it was first introduced and they just let it die. No significant updates, nothing. Idiots deserve bankruptcy.
Posted by zippy | January 15, 2009 2:28 PM
Posted on January 15, 2009 14:28
I never saw any appeal in the PT cruiser, nor it's friend the HHR from chevy.
Ugly styling, terrible gas mileage and handling (had to drive one for 4 days).
Posted by Garret | January 15, 2009 2:52 PM
Posted on January 15, 2009 14:52
True, it was popular when it came up, but it either needed to be killed off 5 years ago, or at least updated...
Posted by BigO | January 15, 2009 3:02 PM
Posted on January 15, 2009 15:02
It was a hot seller when it first debuted, but it has seen a sharp decline since then and that's mainly because Chrysler put it on the back burner.
Posted by SteelCity1981 | January 15, 2009 3:26 PM
Posted on January 15, 2009 15:26
Good riddance! Now if Chevy would just ditch that hhr...
Posted by Spycho | January 15, 2009 4:42 PM
Posted on January 15, 2009 16:42
i am sure this is the first of many cars that will be killed this year. any prediction on the next car?
Hell I almost forgot GM is supposed to get rid of most of its car brands this year too
Posted by mickk | January 15, 2009 4:44 PM
Posted on January 15, 2009 16:44
I am not saying its a shame they are killing it, that's all that can be done now.
The shame is they didn't keep updating it and making it relevant, like Honda does with the Accord and Toyota with the Camry.
Ford did the same thing with the Taurus and are only now getting it a decent makeover.
Little surprise that GM tried to copy it long after it was obsolete.
Posted by zippy | January 15, 2009 5:12 PM
Posted on January 15, 2009 17:12
Spycho:
Good riddance! Now if Chevy would just ditch that hhr...
Your're an idiot.
Posted by bob | January 15, 2009 8:34 PM
Posted on January 15, 2009 20:34
I wouldn't really compare Honda/Toyota's mainstream family car to a PT Cruiser...
That'd be like comparing a 300 to an M5...
Or a neon to a CTS...
It is what it is...
Much like I always wondered about the Subaru Baja...I mean really.
Posted by Brain | January 15, 2009 11:10 PM
Posted on January 15, 2009 23:10
No brainer.
Better yet, in another 10 years we won't see any at all.
Posted by Subpra | January 15, 2009 11:22 PM
Posted on January 15, 2009 23:22
Though not my cup of tea, I have to give credit to the genius of the PT Cruiser. Chryler made a [disguised] station wagon out of a Neon, and then sold quite a few of them in a market that hates wagons.
(ditto for Matrix, HHR, etc.)
Posted by Bubba551 | January 16, 2009 6:05 AM
Posted on January 16, 2009 06:05
I have a good friend who owns one, and she really enjoys it and it has been a great car. Yes, they should up updated it over the years, but then unique cars like this are short lived anyway.
It will be more of a collectable in 10 years than ANY Toyota Camry or Honda Accord ever made. Long after these jap-cars are recycled back into the tin cans they came from, we will remember the PT Cruiser, see it in car shows, and still remember them. I am sure they will draw the same reaction, love them or hate them, as they do now.
Posted by sparky | January 16, 2009 8:47 AM
Posted on January 16, 2009 08:47
Yes, that you Chrysler for this belated christmas present. The ugliest vehicle still available for purchase will now finally be stopped. God I hate seeing these on the road (not that it happens that often).
Posted by gm0n3y | January 16, 2009 12:17 PM
Posted on January 16, 2009 12:17
They let it change from 'Retro' to merely old. So, it's had it's 15 minutes and it's time to go.
Wonder if, 40 years from now, there will be a retro PT Cruiser?
Posted by kw | January 19, 2009 8:36 AM
Posted on January 19, 2009 08:36
Tommy Lasorda is heading up Chrysler? And I thought he retired after leaving the Dodgers!
Posted by Clint Torres | January 19, 2009 5:46 PM
Posted on January 19, 2009 17:46
I had a PT GT up to about 3 days ago, It was a great car. I will miss it terribly.
Posted by Mark | January 20, 2009 7:30 AM
Posted on January 20, 2009 07:30
The PT Cruiser and iconic cars like it are being killed because we are buying Japanese. Soon all that will be left will be little hybrids for little people.Go and see Gran Torino and see where purchasing Jap junk gets you long term. Nothing improves it just gets worse. Give me a Dodge Challenger I don't care how much gas costs.
Posted by Dean | January 21, 2009 2:43 PM
Posted on January 21, 2009 14:43
The PT Cruiser,is one of the best vehicles Ive ever drove. Great on gas mileage,plenty of room for a compact utility vehicle.Drives like a car.And the retro looks of the 40s is great.Too bad Chrysler executives chose to stop making PT Cruisers, they made a big mistake.
Posted by Gouveia | February 12, 2009 6:38 AM
Posted on February 12, 2009 06:38
I had a beautiful 2001 Taupe PT. Still would have it except for the crumby and unreliable electrical system.
Still I miss the car. Handled well and 'cruised' through Minnesota winters like a 4 x 4. (aided by traction control and the ABS system). A little pokey and not so great fuel economy but there was an ambiance and personality missing from it's Vibe replacement.
Heck, if they get cheap enough I'd buy another. That's more than I could say for any other Chrysler.
dg
Elk River, mn
Posted by DG | February 18, 2009 10:22 AM
Posted on February 18, 2009 10:22