Chrysler has decided to extend the life of the retro PT Cruiser, which will have been in production for 11 years by the end of 2010.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser is soldiering on in Mexico post-Fiat buyout. The retro-look car was slated to go out of production here this summer. Instead, just as the company emerges from a quick turn in bankruptcy, it has begun to work with suppliers to extend the car’s life span.

The platform, intended to last five years, went into production in December 1999. With the new timetable, the last PT Cruisers will come off the line in December 2010, 11 years later. Between now and then, the company will be gaining access to Fiat’s dealerships in Europe and other emerging markets – including the important market of Brazil.

There’s no lack of loyalty behind the decision. The PT was a huge success for Chrysler, necessitating an expansion at the Toluca facility to keep up with unforeseen strong demand – including total production of 205,000 in 2001 alone.

The PT Cruiser will be succeeded by another rousing market success: Fiat’s 500 will be built at Toluca starting in the summer of 2011. So will the Fiat Panda, which will be sold badged as a Jeep in North America. In between, a six-month period will be used to retool the plant for this next generation of Fiat-Chryslers.