Chrysler didn't fail because the PT Crusier was successful!
Chrysler failed because the greedy unions, backed by corrupt Democrats, bankrupted the company.
Posted on 07/09/2010 2:39:17 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
DETROIT — A decade ago, the PT Cruiser roared onto the road with trendsetting looks and Al Capone swagger. In a sea of bland Honda Civics and Toyota Camrys, it was a retro hit. Chrysler could barely keep up with demand.
On Friday morning, the last Cruiser rolled off the assembly line in Mexico, finally killed off after years of declining popularity. Chrysler sold just 18,000 last year, compared with nearly 145,000 in 2001.
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I love my Cruiser - I have a 2003 Turbo and it has lots of get up and go!
Has to be a joke in there somewhere about Mexicans, or unions, or Obama promising amnesty for illegals if the plant was closed down, or just Chrysler in general...
I will stick with my Honda Reflex. 78 miles per gallon around town and 70 mph cruise capable for a scooter. And no problems yet- well it’s only 20k miles so far.
Apples and oranges. Crown Vics are quality machines.
Most cars are just cars. Some are so different that they become a hint to who the owner is. For example, the supersized pick-ups and original Hummers were said to be "compensating" for the inadequacy of its owner. The Pontiac Fiero identified as the "secretary's car", the Mazda Miata for strange women and older effemiate men. The Pontiac Firebird and Chevy Camaro closely tied to teenagers and trailer parks. VW Campers with the hippie culture.
There are always exceptions, and occasionally the identity car doesn't match the owner, but in the case of the Chrysler PT Barnum (or whatever its called) and its Government Motors rip-off the "HR", no vehicle has a higher accuracy rating of identifying the owner as a road-idiot, clueless, disengaged and generally a menace to all on or near the road. See a PT Barnum in the show-off lane, its easy to spot because the clueless OBW (Occupant Behind the Wheel) has a mile of empty road ahead, and a lengthy trail of angry tail-gaters on the rear. See an HR apparently stalled at an intersection becaue its not going through on green? That is common as the owner is often sleeping it off or is going through the mental exercise of trying to recall what one does when the light turns green, the cars in all the others lanes have moved on, and the horns blaring behind don't seem to be in tune with the music.
I will miss the PT Barnum, because as a motorcyclist, we need every clue available to know who is a mortal threat. And this car was a slam-dunk guarantee that the OBW would soon be doing something stupid, dangerous and often illegal.
Just hit 200,000 miles on my 2001 PT Cruiser....still going strong. Fine relaible,comfortable to drive (I’m a big guy)transportation.
That in itself would be a major accomplishment and would require some serious and dedicated designing.
The problem was that in a quest for revenue, they lowered the price to the point the market was saturated.
In other words, it was a one trick pony.
What they needed was a higher price and other models.
With their quest for revenue, the quality went down and the sent the manufacturing to Mexico because of unions being inflexible. They would have been better off relocating the factory to the south or somewhere similar where the unions wouldn’t run roughshod over them.
I test drove one the first year it was out. It was a gutless wonder. They beefed up the power a year or two after that.
It seemed to be rather tinny too, although I don’t remember all that well now.
Chrysler didn't fail because the PT Crusier was successful!
Chrysler failed because the greedy unions, backed by corrupt Democrats, bankrupted the company.
There are a handful of states that it is actually illegal to place them in the front seat, if the vehicle has a rear seat.
I have a friend that works at a foundry which makes parts for all the auto companies... they all have different allowable tolerances for for their parts. Dodge tolerances were far larger than all other manufacturers.
Chrysler is exactly where many of my Dem friends fell out of love.
They were bond holders, some to the tune of $59k+ and over $1 million.
They became completely disillusioned when their bonds were vaporized in violation of contract and bankruptcy laws.
Based on my own experience and that of my friends I would say that he was telling you the truth.
The sad part of this is that American automobile manufacturers will acknowledge this and still tell you with a straight face that they don’t understand why Toyota and Honda are kicking their asses all over the world.
My last(and I do mean last) American vehicle was a new Ford Taurus that needed a new short block (threw a rod) and two transmissions before I hit 60k miles. When the warranty people bitched about having to fix these problems I was done with American vehicles.
All of this happened when “Quality is Job 1” at Ford.
You will never find anything but Toyotas and Hondas in my driveway.
I always thought of the HR as a PT Chevy. I believe it was designed by the same fellow who did the PTC after he changed employers.
Didn’t take long for the PT to become the car of choice for older, out-of-it people who were trying to look hip. Once the bluehairs started driving them around, production numbers went into a death spiral and never recovered. Even bluehairs won’t buy them anymore, because they’re no longer cute and trendy but are still underpowered and cramped inside. Old folks switched back to their Cadillacs and Crown Vics - they’re stodgy too but more comfortable and powerful.
Bingo!
I spent a whole weekend shopping dealers to find one with allocation priority back when I ordered MY PT Cruiser in 2000, and still had to wait 6 months. But it was a blast and a great little car. But things have moved past the point where a single innovation can save a company that is being screwed-up and mismanaged in nearly every other aspect.
RIP PTC!
Well they are the same company and their stuff is good. Ford of Europe, especially in Germany, has to compete against BMW, Merc, Audi et al. If they cannot compete then they die in Europe.
Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear usually hates anything American and hates other things but they usually have favorable reviews for most Fords. He could also be getting payola. He said he bought a Ford GT 40 then returned it or something. They had said the Ford Mondeo for the money was better than the 3-series BMW.
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