Also. . .

* DaimlerChrysler said it will boost the price of its base PT Cruiser by $500 to $16,500 starting in July. Prices on top-of-the-line PT Cruiser Limited models will rise by $690 to $20,685. The price hikes are being fueled by the 80,000 orders the company has on hand just two months after the retro-look light truck went on sale. “We’ve got so many orders, cars that are ordered today won’t be built until after July 25,” a company spokesman said.

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