Autoblog

Chrysler still on the fence about which brand will get next minivan

Jeffrey N. Ross — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge

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

Chrysler decides to keep third shift at Windsor minivan plant, VW Routan to live on

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:25:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Volkswagen

2009 Volkswagen Routan - click above for a high res image gallery

Earlier this spring as Chrysler stumbled toward bankruptcy court, one of the announced cost-cutting decisions was the elimination of the third shift at the Windsor assembly plant. That's the factory that produces the Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Caravan and Volkswagen Routan minivans. According to Ken Lewenza, president of the Canadian Auto Workers union, the company has reversed course and will keep the third shift operational. Preserving the final shift will prevent 1,200 layoffs at the factory.

The change was made possible by a revised labor deal agreed to this spring, which cut $207 million in annual costs. Earlier this year, the plant "temporarily" ceased building the Routan for Volkswagen due to slow sales. According to VW of America communications director Steve Keyes, the Routan will live on as well. Keyes tells Autoblog "We will be introducing the 2010 MY vehicle this Fall and continue work on future models. Our goal was to capture 5 percent of the segment and we're meeting that target."

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen Routan

[Source: Reuters, Volkswagen]

Chrysler decides to keep third shift at Windsor minivan plant, VW Routan to live on originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

25th Anniversary Minivans get interior spiffing

Dan Roth — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:24:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Minivan/Van, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Canada

Click above to view high-res gallery of 25 years of Chrysler minivans

Looming assimilation by the GM Borg or not, Chrysler's not waiting around for something to happen. The automaker hosted a hootenanny at the Windsor, Ontario plant where its minivans are assembled, and 25th anniversary editions of Chrysler's family haulers were trotted out carrying upgraded interiors intended to thrill consumers into purchasing. The new outfitting comprises two different color combinations - dark slate and medium slate gray, with perforated leather french-stitched onto the seats. The most exciting historical homage, however, is the return of faux wood. The original vans had timberesque hunks of resin plastered around its innards, and it's heartwarming to see Chrysler embracing the 1980s by bringing back this accent and its corresponding "fresh sense of detail." Chrysler wants its employees to give people noogies until they relent and pony up for a new Grand Caravan, and it's still hard to argue with the efficiency with which a Chrysler minivan will haul all of your who knows what.

Gallery: 25 Years of Chrysler Minivans

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading 25th Anniversary Minivans get interior spiffing

25th Anniversary Minivans get interior spiffing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Future Classic: 1984 Chrysler Minivans

Dan Roth — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Minivan/Van, Etc., Chrysler, Dodge

Think of what the automotive landscape looked like nigh on 25 years ago. Mentioning "family car" in 1983 would have conjured a station wagon. Some of us dig wagons, while others think we're daft because of the stigma they still carry. There's no denying that a wagon is an excellent way to transport kids and stuff, but those beasts of yesteryear often led to yearnings for an alternative. We all remember getting carsick while sitting in the rear-facing third row torture chamber, cut off from the rest of the family and their future-looking vantage point. The tailgunner position was a great way to test out new hand gestures on following motorists, though.

When the Chrysler minivans were revealed to the world in 1983 as 1984 models, they were a revelation. The Caravan and Voyager were not the first vans based on compact chassis, but they were such a successful combination of the elements that sales took off and imitators sprang up only after Chrysler had firmly established its status as the segment trendsetter. Continued after the jump.

Gallery: First Generation Chrysler Minivans

Continue reading Future Classic: 1984 Chrysler Minivans

Future Classic: 1984 Chrysler Minivans originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 May 2008 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Press: Chrysler to cut its SUV offerings in half

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep

It's no secret that Chrysler has some overlapping models in its lineup. Case(s)-in-point: it's hard to make a rational argument that Jeep should be offering both the Compass and Patriot (not to mention Dodge selling the Patriot's platform sibling, the Caliber) or the Grand Cherokee and the Commander. The Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango barely pretend to be different vehicles and there's no reason to sell both the Jeep Liberty and Dodge Nitro when they're basically the same machine. This revelation is as obvious to Chrysler's new management as it is to us, and Chrysler President Jim Press, says as much. "We're going to stop overlapping, we're going to bring everything under one roof. By doing that we will have more products in the markets we are not covering."

Also marked as redundant by Press are the Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Caravan minivans, but as easy as it may be to pinpoint overlapping models, fixing that problem may prove more difficult. Dealers will need to begin offering the whole Chrysler line of vehicles if this strategy of "bringing everything under one roof" is to succeed. Expect to see drastic changes taking place in the next four to five years.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Press: Chrysler to cut its SUV offerings in half originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments