Corporate Cousins - Dodge will share platform with new PT Cruiser

Bradford Wernle | Automotive News | | Automotive News / October 18, 2006 - 6:00 am The Chrysler group is forging ahead on a replacement for the PT Cruiser and a Dodge crossover on the same platform, say analysts and suppliers.

The Dodge version, code-named JC49, is due first, possibly as early as 2008, says John Wolkonowicz, a forecaster for Global Insight Automotive in Lexington, Mass. He calls the Dodge a "sport tourer."

The PT Cruiser's replacement, code-named JZ49, will appear in 2010, he says. The sheet metal will be quite different from the current PT, with the retro elements toned down.

One supplier source said the name "PV Cruiser" has been discussed. Wolkonowicz said the positioning will be slightly different from the Dodge. He predicts it will be an "entry CUV."

Says one source: "They got themselves into a box doing the second-generation PT Cruiser. The PT was supposed to be done at the same time they did Caliber. But it was taking a tremendous amount of energy to figure out how to handle it."

Chrysler isn't commenting.