| Demand is so strong for the new Chrysler PT Cruiser that the automaker has boosted production plans for the second time in three months. The car/truck hybrid with the 1930s look is just now reaching dealer showrooms, but DaimlerChrysler said that starting in the summer of 2001, an additional 50,000 cars will be built at its Graz, Austria, assembly plant, bringing annual worldwide production of the PT Cruiser to 230,000.
The vehicle, which is built on the Neon platform, is being launched in the North American market this month. DaimlerChrysler’s Toluca, Mexico, plant, which is capable of turning out 180,000 of the cars annually, is currently ramping up production while the Eurostar facility in Austria will produce left-and right-hand versions of the vehicle, which combines features of a sedan and a compact sport-utility vehicle.
“The PT Cruiser will take the Chrysler brand to the next level in Europe, where it is already sold out for the first-year allocation,” said Jim Holden, president of North American operations. “In addition, this incremental gain in production volume will allow more PT Cruisers to be sold in the North American market. |
