Dodge Grand Caravan Given a Stay of Execution: Report

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Production of the world’s most recognizable minivan might not end next year after all.

If a report published by the Windsor Star is correct, the Dodge Grand Caravan will see its lifespan extended until 2019, all thanks to delayed plans for a Chrysler Pacifica-based crossover.

The Star quotes John McCabe, president and CEO of AutoForecast Solutions, who claims Fiat Chrysler Automobiles got cold feet about building a new crossover at its Windsor assembly plant.

“Our latest information points to FCA extending the Caravan for a couple of more years and holding off plans on the crossover right now,” said McCabe. “This speaks to the fluid nature of FCA’s product plans going forward.”

FCA wouldn’t confirm the Grand Caravan’s delayed date with the gallows. The automaker’s Canadian spokesperson, LouAnn Gosselin, told the Star, “We have nothing to announce.”

When FCA axed the Town & Country in favor of the 2017 Pacifica — a tech-laden vehicle designed to lure crossover buyers back to the minivan fold — the entry-level Grand Caravan was kept alive until a new vehicle could be found for Windsor.

Was the answer was right under their noses? The Grand Caravan’s price seems immune to inflation, and sales remain quite healthy. If the report proves true, it’s doubtful there’ll be sleep lost over the decision.

Dino Chiodo, president of the labor union representing Windsor employees, claimed, “There is still a niche market for a low-cost people mover,” adding that a new vehicle posed a risk to workers if it failed to sell.

FCA seems to be on the fence over future applications of the Pacifica platform. When production kicked off in Windsor earlier this month, CEO Sergio Marchionne mentioned the platform was flexible enough for a new generation of the Brampton, Ontario-built Chrysler 300.

The Grand Caravan has been in production since 1987.

[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Maserchist Maserchist on May 21, 2016

    I can't remember how many rusted through Pacifica sub frames I've replaced. I neglect the heck out of a non rusted 05 Dodge GC with a 3.8, it needs a leaky rack replaced & the radiator finally developed plastic tank "micro cracks". It is time for brake pads all around again. It just won't stop running ...Plymouth T&C essentially the same underpinnings; Chrysler, Dodge, they built a good mass consumed van, mini or ...

  • WildcatMatt WildcatMatt on Jun 06, 2016

    The issue with the Town & Country name is the fact that it's always mentioned in the same breath with the Caravan. They're inextricably linked and going with a different name seems like a reasonable attempt to put the Dodge and Chrysler products in separate headspaces, especially with the Caravan soldiering apparently in Malibu Classic mode.

  • Mikey My youngest girl ( now 48 ) dated a guy that had a Beretta with a stick shift. The Dude liked Beer and weed. too much for my liking..I borrowed my buddy's stick shift Chevette and give her short course on driving a manual .. I told her if the new BF has more than 2 beer or any weed ..You drive ...I don't care how many times you stall it, or or of you smoke the clutch . She caught on quite well ,and owned a succession of stick shift vehicles...An as an added bonus she dumped the guy.
  • Blueice "Due to regulation/govt backing, China is poised to dominate BEV/battery production, just as they do solar panel production, drone production, etc.Taiwan dominates production of certain types of chips due to regulation/govt backing and we saw how precarious such a situation is (especially with the PRC increasingly becoming aggressive towards Taiwan).That's why regulation/govt backing is aiming to build up local chip manufacturing."BD2, these businesses and or industries are not free market enterprises, buttcorporatist, bent on destroying their competitors with the use of governmentalunits to create monopolies. How safe are world consumers when the preponderance of computer chipsare made in one jurisdiction. Do you what Red China controlling any industry ??And it is well known, concentrated markets control leads to higher prices to end users.
  • Master Baiter I told my wife that rather than buying my 13YO son a car when he turns 16, we'd be better off just having him take Lyft everywhere he needs to go. She laughed off the idea, but between the cost of insurance and an extra vehicle, I'd wager that Lyft would be a cheaper option, and safer for the kid as well.
  • Master Baiter Toyota and Honda have sufficient brand equity and manufacturing expertise that they could switch to producing EVs if and when they determine it's necessary based on market realities. If you know how to build cars, then designing one around an EV drive train is trivial for a company the size of Toyota or Honda. By waiting it out, these companies can take advantage of supply chains being developed around batteries and electric motors, while avoiding short term losses like Ford is experiencing. Regarding hybrids, personally I don't do enough city driving to warrant the expense and complexity of a system essentially designed to recover braking energy.
  • Urlik You missed the point. The Feds haven’t changed child labor laws so it is still illegal under Federal law. No state has changed their law so that it goes against a Federal child labor hazardous order like working in a slaughter house either.
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