Contact: Beth Ann Bayus

Bryan Zvibleman

The Sky's the Limit With the New 2005 PT Cruiser

January 28, 2004, Auburn Hills, Mich. -

The Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible: The convertible to be in and be seen in

No other ragtop can beat PT Cruiser Convertible’s combination of styling, unprecedented versatility, quietness and comfort

The new Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible continues the PT Cruiser phenomenon

With the top off, the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible continues the phenomenon begun with the introduction of the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser sedan, but at a level even cooler than the breeze through your hair.

“There’s only one way to top the original Chrysler PT Cruiser sedan, and that’s by losing the top,” said Jeff Bell, Vice President, Chrysler/Jeep® Marketing. “We consider the new PT Cruiser Convertible the ultimate factory-backed customization of the ultimate segment-buster and see it as an opportunity to expand on the original PT Cruiser frenzy.”

With its distinct combination of PT Cruiser heritage styling and Swiss-army-knife versatility, the new Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible is poised to make a unique statement in the convertible market. Add to that levels of comfort yet unseen in the segment and the ability to carry on conversations while driving, and the PT Cruiser Convertible pulls into a new parking space all its own.

While the convertible segment is relatively small at about 300,000 annual units, volume in the luxury specialty segment increased almost 50 percent in the last four years, and the standard luxury segment was up more than 40 percent, demonstrating potential growth on several levels within the market. The Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible will draw from the entire convertible segment in addition to appealing to those who may not have considered a convertible before.

“Because of its unique blend of customized styling and versatile packaging, we expect that the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible can and will crisscross the customary divisions within the convertible segment,” said Bell. “The PT Cruiser Convertible features like best-in-class rear leg room, a quiet ride and more pass-through cargo space will appeal to convertible customers no matter where they fall in the segment.”

Blue Skies Above With Space to Enjoy Them No other convertible can pull off the PT Cruiser’s cool styling and maintain its legendary versatility, something the PT Cruiser Convertible is chock full of. With 84.3 cu.-ft. of space and 13.3 cu.-ft. of pass-through luggage volume, the PT Cruiser Convertible offers more interior cargo volume than its competitors. Designed to be a convertible you can actually do things with, the seats can be configured in nine different ways, including a position that creates a pass- through trunk opening with enough room to store two golf bags or similar lifestyle equipment.

The newest, most useful convertible in the market is available in Standard, Touring and GT models.

At a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $19,995 (excluding $590 destination), the Standard PT Cruiser Convertible includes a standard 150-horsepower 2.4-liter engine with a manual transaxle. Also included as standard equipment are loads of features not usually found in at this price, such as a power convertible soft top, sport bar with integrated dome lamps, solar-tinted “Smart” glass, rear glass window with electric defroster, cloth seats with driver manual lumbar adjuster, rear 50/50 split-fold and tumble seats, pass-through cargo area, power exterior mirrors, touring-tuned suspension and body-color fascias and bodyside moldings. With a starting MSRP of $22,900 (excluding $590 destination), the Touring model Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible features a standard 150-horsepower 2.4-liter engine with a manual transaxle and an available 180-horsepower 2.4- liter turbocharged engine with automatic transaxle. All the Standard model features are included as well, with the addition of a convertible top boot, 16-inch painted cast aluminum wheels, speed control, security alarm, fog lights, floor mats and an AM/FM stereo with CD player.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible GT model includes a standard High Output 220-horsepower turbocharged engine with a five-speed Getrag manual transaxle, plus all of the Touring model standard equipment. Other key GT model standard features include a performance-tuned suspension with ABS four-wheel disc brakes, low-speed traction control, chrome-accented grille and fascia, 17-inch Empire painted cast aluminum wheels, all-season performance tires, a 2.75-inch chrome-plated stainless steel exhaust tip, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seats, driver seat power height adjuster, unique silver painted shifter knob, “GT” embroidered floor mats, supplemental side air bags, an AM/FM stereo with CD and cassette player and driver-and-front passenger side air bags. MSRP for the GT model PT Cruiser Convertible is $27,565 (excluding $590 destination).

Custom Customers Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible customers are as unique as the vehicle itself. They defy demographics, fitting instead into a psychographic of fun-loving, confident, style-conscious consumers that goes beyond age, sex or income. Motivated by a desire to enjoy life to the fullest, PT Cruiser Convertible customers value creativity and individuality.

No matter what the personal vision of the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible, the fulfills both the rational and emotional expectations of its owner. It is distinctive and practical; classic and casual; agile and roomy; likeable for all the ways it’s different.

Continued Convertible Leadership Drop-top customization is a trend long familiar to the Chrysler Group and the Chrysler brand. Chrysler sold almost 44, 000 Chrysler Sebring Convertibles in 2002 and enjoyed a 14.5-percent share of the convertible market, the highest of any nameplate. Chrysler Sebring Convertible is America’s best-selling convertible.

“With the newest factory-backed Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible joining the recently announced Convertible and the record-setting Chrysler Sebring Convertible, the sky’s the limit on the Chrysler brand’s command of the domestic convertible market,” said Bell. “We look to a very sunny future with our convertible portfolio.”

This newest PT Cruiser Convertible continues DaimlerChrysler’s tradition of offering convertible customers market “firsts.” Others include the first automatic convertible top from in 1939 and the first U.S. introduction of a convertible after the sales lull in the ’70s with the 1982 Le Baron Convertible.

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible Production Production of the Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible begins in early 2004 at DaimlerChrysler’s Toluca (Mexico) Assembly Plant. The plant also builds the Chrysler PT Cruiser sedan, which tied for first place for the best ownership experience in the category of Strategic Vision’s 2003 Total Quality Index™.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible will be available in more than 30 markets around the world beginning in the spring of 2004.

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