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.

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Review: 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan

Jeff Sabatini — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Dodge, New Car Reviews

Chrysler Tries Harder To Compete With All-New Competition

2011 Dodge Grand Caravan - Click above for high-res image gallery

Among the most famous advertising slogans of all time is the Avis classic: "We try harder." Conceived of in the early '60s, when Avis was the number two rental car company behind Hertz, the tagline made a virtue out of second place. With its mid-lifecycle refresh of its minivan line, including both the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country, Chrysler is making a similar case.

But wait a minute here, isn't Chrysler the long-time industry leader in minivans? Well, that depends. The Honda Odyssey took the minivan sales crown in 2008 and 2009, while the Town & Country triumphed last year. Honda would contend that's only because its rival sells so many minivans to fleets, while Chrysler might point out that if you add sales of its nearly identical Grand Caravan to the numbers, it's the minivan leader by a Reagan-esque landslide.

No matter which side of this argument you're inclined to believe, the fact remains that Chrysler no longer has a lock on minivan mindshare. In fact, among a certain slice of the status-conscious, import-loving populace, Chrysler minivans don't even rate second - more like a distant third or even fourth, behind the Odyssey, the recently redesigned Toyota Sienna and the brand-new Nissan Quest.

Chrysler finally seems to have adjusted to this reality, making some major upgrades to its minivan lineup for 2011, including a complete overhaul of the engine, suspension and interior. After a week behind the wheel, we can enthusiastically endorse the new engine and suspension, and we liked the new interior a lot. The end result might not be quite as polished as the all-new models from its three main competitors, but the Grand Caravan has been changed dramatically since its 2007 debut, receiving as close to a complete overhaul as you'll see in this business without starting from scratch.

Continue reading Review: 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan...

Gallery: Review: 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan

Continue reading Review: 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan

Review: 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge to get Mazda5 MPV fighter?

Chris Shunk — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:00:00 EST

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

We've been picking up bits and pieces of Chrysler product news since Fiat laid out The Pentastar's five year plan back in November, but other than the refreshes planned for the next year we're still a way off from any solid details. Rumors have been trickling in, though, and the latest nugget comes from Motor Trend in the form of a seven-passenger MPV for the Dodge brand. The supposed people hauler would be based on a C-platform Fiat architecture to compete with the Mazda5 and the forthcoming Ford Focus C-Max.

Since Dodge is Chrysler's performance division, the five- or seven-seater would likely feature an expressive design that would convey a sportiness not found in the run-of-the-mill crossover or wagon. Powertrains could well come from Turn, Italy in the form of Fiat's efficient MultiAir engine lineup with an emphasis on sporty performance. MT says the MPV could hit showrooms in calendar year 2012.

Does a sporty MPV make sense for Dodge? We're thinking yes, considering the fact that Dodge is The Pentastar's volume brand, and a sleek people hauler would seemingly fit in the lineup a lot better than the current Grand Caravan. Click on the above image to view MT's full rendering. Fairly attractive if you ask us.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Dodge to get Mazda5 MPV fighter? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT

Chris Tutor — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Minivan/Van, Dodge, First Drives

click above image to view high-res gallery of the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan

The minivan is dead, so says GM and Ford. They've all but given up on the sliding-door people movers. But where two-thirds of the Big Three see a dead end, Dodge sees an opportunity. And so do Toyota, Honda, Kia and Hyundai, which means it takes more than a smooth ride and a full set of cup holders to compete in this tricky segment. Chrysler has therefore packed its latest Grand Caravan with a family-sized list of innovations.

Relying on a laundry list of features is a good thing, because if the Grand Caravan depended only on its looks for sales, then the minivan might be dead meat. The last time we saw sheet metal this flat and unadorned was on a UPS truck. Surely it wouldn't have cost that much more to put in a curve or character line here and there. And is that the same grille as on last year's Dakota? But as my wife points out, "It's a van. You don't buy a van for the aesthetics." True. It's what is inside that counts, and the Caravan has interior goodies galore.

Continue reading about the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT after the jump.

Gallery: 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT

Gallery: 2008 Dodge Caravan

Continue reading First Drive: 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT

First Drive: 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Oct 2007 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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