AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — In response to continued worldwide demand for the Chrysler PT Cruiser, the Chrysler Group will again add production for one of its most innovative, segment-defining products by increasing the output of its Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico by 80,000 units annually.
"The success of the PT Cruiser carries on the Chrysler Group's tradition of inventing – and leading – new product segments," said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chrysler Group President and CEO. "The added production will help close the gap between supply and customer demand for this highly versatile vehicle."
"Among the many scenarios we studied to gain incremental volume of PT Cruiser, this was the best business decision," Zetsche added. "This is another example of our continued investment in innovative products that represent the strength and future of this company."
The company will invest $300 million to increase output by 80,000 units at Toluca beginning in the autumn of 2002. However, North American customers should notice more PT Cruisers at dealerships this summer because all of Toluca's current production capacity of 180,000 vehicles will be allocated to North American markets. The Chrysler PT Cruiser's second production site, the company's Eurostar facility in Graz, Austria, will build 50,000 units for international markets. By the end of 2002, total PT Cruiser production will reach 310,000.