MINIVANS

Oft-Dismissed Minivans Propel Fiat Chrysler Sales

May 31, 2016 by admin 2 Comments

FCA’s sales streak should continue with minivans providing an unlikely contribution.

Car manufacturers track sales carefully, using monthly statistics to measure progress. Any month-over-month change falling outside of expected parameters can result in a change in strategy, including short-term production output, what incentives are offered to consumers, and a host of behind-the-scenes adjustments.

Yes, automakers often place outsized importance on sales changes, especially in the ultra-competitive and highly profitable US consumer market. Manufacturers aren’t always patient when it comes to short-range developments.

Jeep, Ram Propel FCA

Fiat Chrysler is riding a 73-month streak of year-over-year sales increases, the longest in the industry. After sales bottomed out during the last recession and just as Fiat gained control of Chrysler, the automaker has been nearly unstoppable. Credit the Jeep brand and Ram trucks with much of that continued good fortune, but when sales are tallied this month, a trio of oft-dismissed minivans may hold the key to FCA’s continued expansion.

The Chrysler Corporation launched the modern minivan movement in 1983 with the introduction of the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager. From the onset, Chrysler has dominated the segment, typically accounting for at least 50 percent of the industry’s sales. But minivans have long since peaked as customers flocked to more versatile crossover utility vehicles.

Since last fall, FCA has been in transition concerning its minivan products. The automaker invested upwards of $2.6 billion to develop a new model, the Chrysler Pacifica, while also continuing production of the Dodge Grand Caravan. The Chrysler Town & Country is officially canceled, but before shutting down production FCA pushed out thousands of models, flooding dealer inventories with the same.

Chrysler Pacifica Production Begins

Chrysler Pacifica production began on Feb. 29 and just 487 copies were sold in April. May will be this model’s first full month and sales should prove robust.

At the same time, Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan sales continue with year-to-date sales up 64 and 104 percent respectively through April 2016.

Strong Incentive on Three Minivan Models

Propelling sales for both models are strong incentives. As of publication, Town & Country incentives include a $3,500 cash allowance or 1.9 percent financing for up to 84 months plus an additional $500 back. Grand Caravan incentives also come in at $3,500 along with 0 percent financing for 60 months plus a $1,500 cash allowance. Additional incentives should bring in deeper cuts, especially for remaining 2015 inventory.

Lease deals are also available, depending on the trim level selected. Typically, you’ll pay $289 to $299 per month for 36 months, with $2,999 down. However, CarsDirect.com explains that the Dodge lease on Grand Caravan SE isn’t especially attractive, considering its low MSRP.

Despite being a new model, financing and lease deals on the Chrysler Pacifica are in place. Right now, Chrysler is offering a $2,000 cash credit on the Pacifica. Or, buyers can choose 0 percent financing for 36 months and receive $1,500 cash back. If leasing is your preference, a Pacifica LX can be had for $269 per month with $1,999 due at signing.

Well-Stocked Inventory and May 2016 Sales

Last week, Automotive News noted that as of the beginning of May, 22,170 Town & Countrys and 29,247 Grand Caravans were unsold, representing a two-month inventory. Add in thousands of Pacificas and FCA’s dominance in the minivan segment will continue.

The timing of the Pacifica’s release coincides with curtailing Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart sedan sales. Jeep and Ram sales should continue to bolster the automaker for May; together FCA is looking at a 74th consecutive month of year-over-year sales increases and should do so despite two fewer selling days this year.

Chrysler Celebrates Minivan Milestone With 30th Anniversary Editions

October 1, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

Chrysler claims to be the creator of the minivan segment, something that Volkswagen may take issue with. Years before the 1983 debut of the Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan, Volkswagen had the Type 2, what Americans called the Microbus or simply Bus.

Chrysler Minivan History

Regardless of what either manufacturer claims, the Chrysler minivans did change the market and in a way that Volkswagen never did. Indeed, when the first two models rolled out, it forever changed the way that people look at vans and people movers in general. With the advent of the minivan, the tired station wagon was assured its demise and larger families no longer had to resort to opting for the bulky and inefficient vans sold by GM, Ford and Chrysler.

Yesterday’s minivans were based on the K-car platform, one of several model lines Chrysler used to power its cars in the 1980s. Those vans were truly “mini” in proportion and powered by four cylinder engines. Today’s vans have largely dropped the mini appellation as they’ve grown bigger and heavier over the years. The V-6 engine is the common choice for these vans, a market that has been eclipsed by crossover utility vehicles.

The 30th anniversary Dodge Grand Caravan.
The 30th anniversary edition Dodge Grand Caravan.

30th Anniversary Models

To mark its 30th minivan anniversary, the Chrysler Group announced in Sept. that it would release special anniversary editions of its current models. Both the Chrysler Town & Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan will be available in 30th anniversary editions, models that feature unique content including special paint, black interior trim and commemorative badging.

Chrysler will base the 30th anniversary Chrysler Town & Country on its Touring-L model. That includes the 3.6-liter V-6 engine used across the model line and its accompanying six-speed automatic transmission. These models will be outfitted with 17-inch aluminum wheels with polished faces and satin carbon pockets, and an available Granite Crystal Pearl Coat paint.

Inside, the anniversary edition Town & Country are black Alcantara seat inserts with Nappa seat bolsters, updated steering wheel and instrument panel trim, a power folding third-row seat and the Driver’s Convenience Group. That group includes heated first- and second-row seating, keyless entry, power adjustable pedals and bright door handles. You will also get power folding side mirrors.

For the Dodge Grand Caravan, the special edition package will be available with both the SE and SXT trim levels. Corresponding interior and exterior enhancements found on the Town & Country will be available here and will also include the Uconnect Handsfree Group with a one-year SiriusXM Satellite Radio subscription, Bluetooth streaming audio and voice command, and an auto-dimming rear view mirror.

Grand Caravan SXT models step things up with fog lamps, automatic headlights, leatherette seats, a 10-way power driver’s seat and the appropriate badging. Bright work trim embellishments will further distinguish this model from the SE.

Built in Canada

Besides it claim to being the first producer of minivans, Chrysler says that it has sold twice as many models than any other manufacturer, selling more than 13 million units to date. Chrysler claims a number of firsts too including its patented “Stow ‘n Go” seating and Blu-ray rear-seat entertainment system. As always, Chrysler’s minivans have been built in Windsor, Ontario, it sole supplier to the world.

How many iterations of the Chrysler’s minivans have there been? Following the Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan, extended wheelbase models were named Grand Voyager and Grand Caravan respectively. The Chrysler Town & Country came later and when Plymouth folded, the Voyager was sold as Chrysler briefly before being dropped. The Volkswagen Routan is another model, produced for the German manufacturer for four model years ending in 2012. That makes seven models for North America and eight total if you include the Lancia Grand Voyager.

See Also — Man Van: 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan R/T

List of Best Minivans for 2012

January 13, 2013 by admin 1 Comment

The modern minivan segment was launched nearly 30 years ago when the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager were introduced to the market. Previously marketed small vans such as the Volkswagen Bus attempted to carve out a niche for families, but it wasn’t until the Chrysler Corporation introduced its K-Car platform-based minivans that the modern day segment was launched.

2012 Honda Odyssey — Honda Odyssey sales rose by nearly 18 percent in 2012.

Minivan sales surged throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with every major and many smaller car manufacturers joining in. Just as the minivan was the replacement for the family station wagon, it would eventually be replaced in importance by the crossover SUV. That latter segment has basically improved upon the minivan theme by building vehicles that are more versatile than minivans. Still, the minivan market has not gone away with Chrysler, Toyota, Honda and Nissan fielding models along with Volkswagen and until this past year, Kia. Sure, add the Mazda Mazda5 into the mix, the smallest minivan-like model in this shrinking segment.

Most minivans are powered by a robust V-6 engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Some models, including the Mazda5 and the base Toyota Sienna, offer in-line four cylinder engines. Except for the Mazda, these vehicles need a V-6 engine especially when filled to capacity or when pulling a camper or a boat. The following is our list of best minivans for 2012.

1. Dodge Grand Caravan. The Dodge Grand Caravan has retaken the position as the top-selling minivan and did so in a big way. For 2012, sales surged by 28 percent as Chrysler continued to market the Grand Caravan as its entry-level model and the Chrysler Town & Country as its premium model. US sales of 141,468 units easily gave the Dodge Grand Caravan the best minivan title for 2012.

2. Honda Odyssey. For 2012, US sales of the Honda Odyssey rose by 17.7 percent, a pace enabling this minivan to move past the Toyota Sienna by more than 11,000 units. In 2012, 125,980 units of the Honda Odyssey were sold, even enabling this minivan to outsell the comparable Honda Pilot SUV in 2012.

3. Toyota Sienna. Toyota and Honda have routinely battled for the top spot in minivan quality, but typically have trailed one or more of the Chrysler products in US sales. For 2012, Toyota Sienna sales rose by 3 percent to 114,725 units sold, edging out the Chrysler Town & Country for third place. Still, the Toyota Sienna lost its best minivan crown for 2011 as Dodge and Honda sales surged.

4. Chrysler Town & Country. In some years the Chrysler Town & Country has outsold its sibling, the Dodge Grand Caravan, but the company’s decision two years ago to put some distance between the two models has shifted sales from Chrysler to Dodge. Still, US sales for the Chrysler Town & Country were up by 18 percent in 2012 on 111,744 units sold. That represents more than 253,000 minivans sold by the Chrysler Group or twice that of any of its competitors.

5. Mazda Mazda5. The Mazda Mazda5 defies easy categorization. Some call it a multipurpose vehicle. Others consider it a crossover SUV. With seating for six, the Mazda5 has less interior room than its competitors and is closer in size and weight to the original minivans. For 2012, Mazda registered sales of 19,155 Mazda5 models, down 23.5 percent, but still narrowly beating out the Nissan Quest for the fifth spot. Quest sales rose by 49.5 percent in 2012 to 18,275 units, therefore the Mazda5s hold on the fifth best minivan spot is a precarious one.

The Market

Kia left the minivan market in 2012, but promises to return by 2014 with a new model. The Volkswagen Routan, a copy of the Chrysler models, is now available for fleet customers only. That van is likely to disappear next year, perhaps replaced by the Volkswagen Bulli, a European van that is powered by a turbocharged in-line four cylinder engine. Although the minivan market has shrunk considerably, the remaining players are committed to staying in the game. Interior room still gives these vehicles an edge over crossovers, one of the few advantages left in this segment.

Chrysler Marks Minivan 25th Anniversary

March 18, 2009 by admin 1 Comment

Chrysler Minivans — Chrysler’s family of minivans first rolled out in 1983 as 1984 models. To celebrate the Silver Anniversary of these iconic people haulers, Chrysler is rolling out two very special edition models to mark the occasion.

If you had choose one vehicle from Chrysler produced over the past twenty five years that best represents the automaker which one would you choose? Jeep Wrangler? Dodge Ram? Chrysler 300? Something else?

Personally, I would choose the company’s fleet of minivans which have been sold under Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth (RIP) brands since first launched in 1984. These vehicles launched an entirely new segment of cars, people haulers that were compact, fuel efficient and reasonably priced.

Minivans Usurp Station Wagons As Family Car Fav

If anything, credit the minivan with putting to death the American station wagon, itself the favorite people hauler of the post-WWII generation.

Chrysler LLC is marking the 25th anniversary of its bread and butter vehicles by rolling out special-edition 2009 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary Edition minivans offering what they say are premium interior features, unique exterior accents and new exterior paint colors.

Since Chrysler began its minivan development more than 25 years ago, no competitor has innovated as many minivan-first features as Chrysler and Dodge minivans,” said Mike Accavitti, Director–Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Brands, Chrysler LLC. “With numerous minivan segment-exclusive features like Stow `n Go seating and storage, dual-DVD entertainment system and an unsurpassed fuel economy rating, it is no surprise that 2009 Chrysler and Dodge minivans together command more than 40 percent of the U.S. minivan market.

Concerning the special edition models Chrysler has this to say about them:

2009 Chrysler Town & Country 25th Anniversary Edition

The 2009 Chrysler Town & Country 25th Anniversary Edition minivans feature a 3.8-liter V-6 engine and fluid six-speed automatic transmission. In addition, this special-edition Chrysler Town & Country features an even more luxurious interior. New interior combinations in Dark Slate Gray and Light Shale are paired with Dark Maple Burl trim and satin finishes on the instrument panel and doors to provide added detail. New monotone Dark Slate Gray or Light Shale seats feature perforated leather and are finished with French-seamed seat stitching. Additional standard features include the minivan-first Stow `n Go seating and storage system, UConnect tunes, minivan-first second- and third-row nine-inch dual-DVD entertainment system, LED lighting with ambient halo light ring, heated first- and second-row seating and UConnect tunes.

Exterior equipment on the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country 25th Anniversary Edition includes the availability of all-new Mineral Gray Metallic exterior paint, unique nine-spoke 17-inch aluminum wheels with Mineral Gray Metallic painted pockets, chrome belt and body-side moldings, roof rack with cross bars and “25th Anniversary Edition” badging.

Available features on this special-edition 2009 Chrysler Town & Country include segment-exclusive UConnect studios SIRIUS Backseat TV with Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network Mobile, UConnect gps, all-new Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Path (RCP) accident-avoidance systems and the 4.0-liter aluminum V-6 engine that achieves a minivan-best fuel economy label of 17 city / 25 highway mpg.

2009 Dodge Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary Edition

The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary Edition minivans feature a fluid six-speed automatic transmission and powerful 4.0-liter aluminum V-6 engine with a minivan-best fuel economy label of 17 city / 25 highway mpg as standard equipment. Inside, the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary Edition adds even more enhancements to the contemporary Dodge interior. Dark Slate Gray or Light Shale interior combinations complement the sporty interior of the Dodge brand’s fifth-generation minivan. A unique combination of Blackwood on the instrument panel and doors accent satin finishes and provide a sense of added detail. An updated instrument panel includes a new Dodge-specific four-gauge cluster, additional satin finishes and a glove box with Blackwood trim. New monotone Dark Slate Gray or Light Shale seats feature perforated leather with French-seamed seat stitching. Additional standard features include minivan-first Stow `n Go seating and storage system, heated first- and second-row seating, UConnect studios SIRIUS Satellite Radio and LED lighting with ambient halo light ring.

Additional available equipment on the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary Edition includes the availability of all-new Mineral Gray Metallic exterior paint, new sport-tuned suspension with unique five-spoke 17-inch aluminum wheels featuring Mineral Gray painted pockets, chrome belt moldings, fog lamps, roof rack with cross bars and “25th Anniversary Edition” badging.

Some of the available features on this special-edition 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan include minivan-first second- and third-row nine-inch dual-DVD entertainment system, UConnect studios SIRIUS Backseat TV with Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network Mobile, UConnect gps, all-new BSM and RCP accident-avoidance systems.

See Also — List of Best Midsize Sedans for 2012

Source: Chrysler LLC