Sales are winding down on two long-running retro-styled models that once turned heads like few other cars. Both the Chrysler PT Cruiser and Volkswagen New Beetle will be discontinued this fall.
Introduced in 2000, the PT Cruiser quickly became Chrysler’s top seller. The compact wagon looked like a hot rod, but featured flexible minivan-like seating that could accommodate various cargo configurations. Selling over 1.3 million units with a line that once encompassed turbocharged and convertible versions, the PT Cruiser languished in recent years and will fade away in only a single “Classic” model.
The New Beetle, which updated the memorable “Bug” from the 1960’s and ‘70s, likewise had buyers packing VW showrooms when it debuted in 1998. Including turbocharged and convertible variants (and, briefly, a diesel-powered model), it struck a decidedly emotional chord with its owners. The iconic car celebrates its departure with limited “Final Edition” models that sport unique paint treatments.
In truth, VW had nowhere to go with the New Beetle other than making minor updates. If they changed the look too much it wouldn't be a Bug any more. We'd like to see the company revive its plans to build a modern-day Microbus to keep the nostalgia ball rolling, but those plans were nixed years ago. VW has since taken the path of least resistance by selling an only nominally revised version of Chrysler's minivan, the Routan.
Chrysler, meanwhile had a lot more latitude with the PT Cruiser--the same basic idea of a small, stylish and utilitarian wagon with minivan-like features could have been recast any number of ways. Alas, while the company may have had ideas on the drawing board, a lack of cash was the obvious culprit, and the car's aging mechanicals demanded Chrysler make more than just cosmetic changes.
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