Chrysler to Redesign PT Cruiser

[nsap]

Chrysler to redesign its retro PT Cruiser
It remains popular with baby boomers
April 7, 2005
BY JEFF GREEN
BLOOMBERG


DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group plans to redesign its PT Cruiser, a 5-year-old model whose sales peaked in 2001, to maintain customers among the 76 million baby boomers.

George Murphy, Chrysler's marketing chief, confirmed Wednesday that Chrysler will revamp the PT Cruiser, without saying when. Chrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche previously had declined to say whether the model would continue when the current version is retired.

"There was a feeling they might not do it again because it was a retro, niche vehicle and they kind of already got their one-time hit from it," said Rebecca Lindland, a forecaster at Lexington, Mass.-based Global Insight Inc.

The PT Cruiser, styled like a 1940s hot rod, "is extremely strong with baby boomers," Murphy said, referring to the generation aged 41 through 59. When the model debuted in 2000, buyers endured waiting lists and Chrysler expanded production capacity.

After U.S. sales of 144,717 in 2002, demand waned and the PT Cruiser last year had its first increase since then, rising 7.6 percent to 115,955.

http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/...e_20050407.htm

[hudson32]

I just hope that Chevy's HHR will continue to have updates and improvements as it marks time. I think the HHR looks great from what I see. Just offer a nice supercharged 4 or V6 to counter a performance version I'm sure DCX will offer in the new PT. The SSR is also retro, but in the HHR, Chevy has made retro also a practical vehicle you can use on an everyday basis.

[zeobandit]

The problem with the HHR is that it is about 4 or 5 years too late. Typical GM.

[Askani]

I always felt the neon picture that has been floating around has a lot more in common with a PT than a compact sedan.... They are obviously planning to use that platform on a number of vehicles.

[goblue]

Originally Posted by zeobandit

The problem with the HHR is that it is about 4 or 5 years too late. Typical GM.

I'm inclined to agree - however there were many typical boomers who would never buy a Chrysler product on principle. I used to feel the same way - however if the demographic is as old as DCX says, it is possible that there are lots of typical stereotype GM buyers who might take a look. Also, the PT is a coarse, unrefined vehicle - sort of like the Cavalier (yes - I've rented both) so if the HHR is more like the Cobalt its got a shot.

I agree with others though, the 2.0 S/C should be available at launch - not in 07. If they used the new Eco turbo and made that avail, and kept the cost down it could spike trend among younger people (I know thats a stretch) but a 250hp motor would grab some attention and I've met plenty of 17 year olds that think the Scions and Element look like a pile.

[JOEY666]

Chrysler Needs To Put A Real Engine In That Lame Retro Station Wagon.

Isn't There Enough Station Wagons Already In The Market Cause All Those Suv's Out There Are Really Just Big Dorky Station Wagons.

[auburnkem]

I also work for GM so don't think i am biased, however at the end of the day
you cant argue with results. Would i own a PT? No. Alot of people out there do and just because GM didn't produce this vehicle, you would have to have blinders on to ignore its success.

[nsap]

It PT was a trend. The trend is gone. I don't expect the new one to sell anywhere near where the first one sold when it first came out.

The way I look at; there are two possible senerios for the HHR.

1) It will be like the PT and be a trend for the first couple years. Then sales will slow a little.

2) It will turn out to be a a versitile, good selling vehicle for years to ome.

With gas prices still climbing, the 4 cyclinder HHR might just take off better than most think.

[AdmiralViscen]

Originally Posted by zeobandit

The problem with the HHR is that it is about 4 or 5 years too late. Typical GM.

Should they have built it on the J-Body platform? That was all they had, at the time.

I see the HHR as a super-cute-ute, CR-V kind of competitor. A smaller Equinox, more than simply a PT Cruiser niche competitor.

[AdmiralViscen]

Originally Posted by nsap

It PT was a trend. The trend is gone. I don't expect the new one to sell anywhere near where the first one sold when it first came out.

The way I look at; there are two possible senerios for the HHR.

1) It will be like the PT and be a trend for the first couple years. Then sales will slow a little.

2) It will turn out to be a a versitile, good selling vehicle for years to ome.

With gas prices still climbing, the 4 cyclinder HHR might just take off better than most think.

Sales dropped from a peak of 144k to a very, very respectable 115,000. How is that a lost trend? Five years without a redesign, and it's still selling 2/3 of what it was in its best year, during a super-fad. The new one won't be as shocking as the first one was when it was brand new and unheard of, but I don't see why sales wouldn't go above 115k.

I'd agree that the HHR will see more mass appeal than people give it credit for. It's big, and looks like a truck.

[JOEY666]

When the demand curve goes down GM comes out with the HHR-
But no RWD Muscle Coupe to compete w/ the Mustang.

PT cruiser is just a trendy Ride.

[AdmiralViscen]

Originally Posted by JOEY666

When the demand curve goes down GM comes out with the HHR-
But no RWD Muscle Coupe to compete w/ the Mustang.

PT cruiser is just a trendy Ride.

Down to more than 2/3 of its peak, when it was the hottest car on the road.

Do you really think the Mustang will be selling at more than 2/3 of its current sales rate, when it's five years old and about to get redesigned? I don't think so.

No reason why the HHR can't be trendy for a different reason. Or that it won't be straight-up PRACTICAL at a time when people are buying Freestyles instead of Explorers.

I showed my girlfriend a pic of the HHR. She wasn't sure if she liked it, but she wasn't put off by it. She said 'it looks kind of like an old farm truck.' I asked if it reminded her of any modern vehicles, and she said no. I asked her if it reminded her of the PT Cruiser, and she said 'no way!'

[usa1]

Originally Posted by JOEY666

Chrysler Needs To Put A Real Engine In That Lame Retro Station Wagon.

You still stuck in 2001? They have three fine engine choices in the PT Cruiser now. A 150 HP 2.4L, a 180 HP 2.4L turbo, and a 220 HP 2.4L turbo. Sounds better than what the HHR has to offer or anyone else for that matter.

Mark

[SUPERBADD75]

why would they redesign the PT when the Neon replacement is supposed to be a 5 door similar in concept to European MPVs? that would put 2 vehicles of very similar purpose and size on their showrooms. then again, i guess the PT is Chrysler's and the Neon is Dodge's so they wouldn't REALLY be stepping on each other's toes. perhaps the PT slots in above the Neon somewhat? is this PT refresh going to be as retro, or is it just interior? what other info do we have to work with here? honestly, the PT and HHR may be the way to go here pretty soon, anyway. gas prices are creeping up and people aren't going to want to pay $3 a gallon to fill up their 30 gallon tanks anymore. the PT is quite versatile, it may find favor with a lot of SUV owners.

[AdmiralViscen]

Originally Posted by usa1

You still stuck in 2001? They have three fine engine choices in the PT Cruiser now. A 150 HP 2.4L, a 180 HP 2.4L turbo, and a 220 HP 2.4L turbo. Sounds better than what the HHR has to offer or anyone else for that matter.

Mark

The HHR will have a 205hp supercharged motor, won't it? That's comparable.

And isn't that Neon hatch just going to be one iteration of the new Neon platform?