Chrysler PT Cruisers return to Niagara Falls

WINDSOR, ON, June 20 /CNW/ - Just as the swallows return to Capistrano, the Cruisers (as in the segment-busting Chrysler PT Cruiser) are coming back to Niagara Falls. More than 450 privately-owned Chrysler PT Cruisers will return to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls June 21-23 for what has become one of the world's largest annual gatherings of these retro-styled vehicles. Hosted by a group of Toronto-area PT Cruiser owners and enthusiasts, "Cruisin' The Falls II" will bring together owners of Chrysler PT Cruisers from five Provinces and 38 States, including Texas and California.

"What started out a couple of years ago as an idea for a regional Chrysler PT Cruiser gathering has grown into a major international event," event organizer Sean O'Neill said. "We're overwhelmed, but delighted. We're up to the challenge and we are going to have another great PT Cruiser weekend."

The weekend program includes Chrysler PT Cruiser-oriented fun and games, a 32' high PT inflatable and an eye-popping PT Parade through Niagara Falls on Saturday afternoon. For the first time in Canada, DaimlerChrysler will display its entire collection of PT Cruiser concept vehicles including the original Pronto Cruizer, Panel Cruiser, GT Cruiser, PT Cruiser Convertible, as well as the Hot Wheels Cruiser. The 2003 model year Turbo and Chrome Edition PT Cruisers will also be on display for the first time in Canada. There will also be customized PT Cruiser displays, a Mopar parts and accessories exhibit and many other special displays and activities.

"Hundreds of Chrysler PT Cruiser owners from all across the United States and Canada have incorporated this unique event into their summer vacation plans," Pearl Davies, Chrysler/Jeep Senior Brand Manager, DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc. reported. "This remarkable gathering demonstrates the essence of the Chrysler PT Cruiser and further reinforces the fact that the PT in the vehicle's name really does mean Personal Transportation."

The spectacularly successful Chrysler PT Cruiser blends a nostalgic, yet contemporary design with function and technology to create an entirely new kind of vehicle that remains unique in the automotive world today.

DaimlerChrysler has sold more than 200,000 Chrysler PT Cruisers worldwide since the vehicle first went on sale in April, 2000. "The unique, emotional design grabs people's attention, but when they experience the unmatched versatility, thoughtful features and solid handling, the initial desire turns into a 'gotta have it' need," said Davies.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser is yet another concept-to-reality story for DaimlerChrysler, which has a long history of creating major new vehicle segments such as the minivan and such groundbreaking (and shaking) vehicles as the outrageous Dodge Viper and the funky Chrysler Prowler retro hotrod.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser borrows design cues from classic American automobiles and interprets them with a healthy dose of North American fun and distinction. The unique exterior design celebrates the American custom car era with bulging front fender forms, chrome details and a strong wheels-to-the- road stance. The interior's unmatched versatility and thoughtful features fulfill the heightened expectations created by the exterior design.

PT Cruiser's tall profile helps contribute to command-of-the-road seating and flexible interior space. With the flip/fold/tumble seats (removable rear) and movable rear shelf, the interior can be configured in more than 30 different ways.

For the 2002 model year, DaimlerChrysler Canada has added three new offerings to its PT Cruiser lineup: the Chrysler PT Cruiser "Woody" Edition, the Chrysler PT Cruiser "Flame" Décor option and the Chrysler PT Cruiser Dream Cruiser Series 1. These new models expand the appeal of the Chrysler PT Cruiser while keeping the brand and nameplate fresh in the mind of the consumer.

Since its North American introduction, the Chrysler PT Cruiser has garnered every major annual vehicle award, including:

Automobile Journalists Association of Canada Canadian Car of the Year 2001 Best New Design of the Year 2001

North American Car of the Year 2001

Motor Trend Magazine's 2001 Car of the Year

The segment-busting Chrysler PT Cruiser is powered by a 2.4-litre, 150 horsepower, four-cylinder engine driving through either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transaxle powering the front wheels.