Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Chrysler slows minivan production, hasn't built VW Routan this year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/13/chrysler-slows-minivan-production-hasnt-built-vw-routan-this-y/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/13/chrysler-slows-minivan-production-hasnt-built-vw-routan-this-y/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/13/chrysler-slows-minivan-production-hasnt-built-vw-routan-this-y/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Dodge Grand Caravan

Chrysler has slowed production of its Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans this week, Automotive News reports. The Windsor, Ontario plant will cut its three shifts from eight hours each to four hours each in an effort "to align production with market demand," a Chrysler spokesperson told AN. Chrysler also builds the closely related Routan minivan for Volkswagen at its Ontario facility, but has not built a single example thus far in 2013.

Sales of Chrysler's minivans fell 15 percent for the first two months of 2013, and a large part of that has to do with the 26-percent drop of the Grand Caravan alone (the T&C was only down by one percent). According to Automotive News data, as of March 1, Chrysler had an unsold inventory of 24,713 Town and Country models and 18,547 Grand Caravans - a 69- and 43-day supply, respectively.

"No sense running full speed now, then have a lot of vehicles sitting around a few months down the line," Chrysler spokeswoman Jodi Tinson told AN. Full production is expected to resume again on March 18.

According to our earlier reports, Chrysler will continue to build the minivans as-is through the 2014 model year. After that, a decision will be made about which one of the two vans will get the axe, to be replaced by a different sort of people-mover. Our best guess is that the Chrysler brand will continue on with the Town and Country, and this makes more and more sense considering the recent sales figures.

Chrysler slows minivan production, hasn't built VW Routan this year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Mar 2013 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 chrysler town and country2013 dodge grand caravan2013 volkswagen routanchryslerdodgegrand caravanminivanroutantown and countryvolkswagenvwWed, 13 Mar 2013 08:25:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20498900/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/13/chrysler-slows-minivan-production-hasnt-built-vw-routan-this-y/20498900/article-detail.xml 20498900 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/08-2011-dodge-grand-caravan_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/08-2011-dodge-grand-caravan.jpg <![CDATA[Chrysler still on the fence about which brand will get next minivan]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/17/chrysler-still-on-the-fence-about-which-brand-will-get-next-mini/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/17/chrysler-still-on-the-fence-about-which-brand-will-get-next-mini/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/17/chrysler-still-on-the-fence-about-which-brand-will-get-next-mini/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2013 Chrysler Town and Country S - front three-quarter with city backdrop.

Chrysler has had at least two minivans since it started the family-friendly craze back in 1984, but we've known for some time that one of two not-so-mini vans (the Dodge Grand Caravan or Chrysler Town and Country) would not survive for a next generation. Last we heard, it was the Chrysler model that would be losing its sliding doors in place of a crossover design, but Chrysler execs have also said in the past that Chrysler would retain the minivan design and the Grand Caravan would become a CUV. Now, it seems like the automaker might be leaving this tough decision up to potential consumers, as the Detroit Free Press is reporting that the automaker is currently showing off a quartet of concepts - a minivan and crossover for both Chrysler and Dodge - to consumer clinics before making a final decision.

The report also says that whatever decision is made, the redesigned minivan and the all-new crossover will likely go on sale in 2014 for the 2015 model year. Combined, both minivans have accounted for almost 230,000 sales through November, putting the duo well ahead of rivals like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.

Over the last couple of years, there has been plenty of chatter about the future Chrysler's popular minivans including the return of all-wheel drive, the addition of a hybrid model and there was even the Chrysler 700C minivan concept vehicle at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, a surprise showcar that could inform the design of Chrysler's next-generation people movers.

Chrysler still on the fence about which brand will get next minivan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 chrysler town and country2013 dodge grand caravanchryslerchrysler minivanchrysler minivansdodgedodge minivangrand caravanminivantown and countryMon, 17 Dec 2012 14:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20404699/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/17/chrysler-still-on-the-fence-about-which-brand-will-get-next-mini/20404699/article-detail.xml 20404699 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/2013-chrysler-town-and-country-s-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/2013-chrysler-town-and-country-s-628.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Chrysler Town and Country S adds a dash of cool to your schoolhouse run]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/28/2013-chrysler-town-and-country-s-la-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/28/2013-chrysler-town-and-country-s-la-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/28/2013-chrysler-town-and-country-s-la-2012/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2013 Chrysler Town and Country S

Bringing the Chrysler "S" treatment to the Town and Country minivan does not - let us be clear - make the thing any more formidable to drive. But, kicking in the cool factor for its bread-and-butter grocery-getter might just convince a few more moms and dads to pull the trigger on buying a new family ride.

The Town and Country S trim basically adds a suite of black and black chrome accents to the vehicle, as well as a not-quite-murdered-out-treatment for the interior. The model also comes standard with Chrysler's new Blu-Ray player for the rear seat entertainment system, which is sure to make the kids feel like little ballers, too.

Pictures aplenty to feed your van fetish, live from Los Angeles, above, along with the press release below.

Continue reading 2013 Chrysler Town and Country S adds a dash of cool to your schoolhouse run

2013 Chrysler Town and Country S adds a dash of cool to your schoolhouse run originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 la auto show2013 chrysler town and country2013 chrysler town and country schryslerlala auto showtown and countrytown and country sWed, 28 Nov 2012 18:21:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20390221/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/28/2013-chrysler-town-and-country-s-la-2012/20390221/article-detail.xml 20390221 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/2013-chrysler-town-country-s-la_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/2013-chrysler-town-country-s-la.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Chrysler Town and Country S is the van in black]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/26/2013-chrysler-town-and-country-s-los-angeles-la-reveal/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/26/2013-chrysler-town-and-country-s-los-angeles-la-reveal/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/26/2013-chrysler-town-and-country-s-los-angeles-la-reveal/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2013 Chrysler Town and Country S - front three-quarter view, black

Chrysler previously brought us the "man van" with the Dodge Grand Caravan R/T, but now it's apparently rolling out its its "mean van," with this sinister 2013 Town and Country S. Joining similar packages available on the 200 and 300 sedans, this new Town and Country trim replaces most of the standard car's shiny bits with dark accents, giving the minivan a more unique appearance.

The S trim level brings with it things like a black chrome grille, black-accented wheels and blacked-out headlight inserts, and it will only be offered in limited exterior colors (black, red, white and silver); we're guessing it looks best in the more monotone, limousine-spec paint scheme as seen above. The interior has likewise been given a blacked-out treatment including a black headliner and combination leather and cloth seats. All Town and Country S models come standard with Chrysler's new Blu-Ray rear-seat entertainment system, and it also has an HDMI input and a pair of USB ports that can charge mobile devices. The S' performance modifications start and end with a firmer sport suspension setup.

No word on pricing yet for the Town and Country S or when it will go on sale, but we'll see it in person later this week at the LA Auto Show. Scroll down for Chrysler's official press release.

Continue reading 2013 Chrysler Town and Country S is the van in black

2013 Chrysler Town and Country S is the van in black originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Nov 2012 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 la auto show2013 chrysler town and country2013 chrysler town and country schryslerlala auto showminivantown and countrytown and country sMon, 26 Nov 2012 00:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20384496/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/26/2013-chrysler-town-and-country-s-los-angeles-la-reveal/20384496/article-detail.xml 20384496 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/2013-chrysler-town-and-country-s-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/2013-chrysler-town-and-country-s-628.jpg -1 2