Latest Rumors Out Of Windsor Point To Dodge Grand Caravan's Demise

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

It appears that the Chrysler Town & Country has won the minivan Hunger Games, as the latest report from the Windsor Star claims that the T&C will be the lone minivan offering from Chrysler when the next generation van goes on sale in 2015.

The subject of which van would survive has been a constant source of speculation for industry watchers. Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has issued a number of conflicting statements, stating one brand would get a new larger crossover. It turns out that Chrysler will be getting a van, and a crossover, while Windsor’s assembly plant will some new product as well

Chrysler has not said publicly which of the two vans would be discontinued or when a new van would be launched. However, CEO Sergio Marchionne has said that the plant will get a new global platform, capable of producing a variety of vehicles, including a sedan as well as a small van for international export.

The new crossover is said to be reminiscent of the Chrysler Pacifica in that it’s a large crossover ostensibly with three rows. There’s been talk of Dodge axing the Durango, and a Chrysler crossover would give dealers a way to retain Durango customers, while also beefing up the brand’s current 4-vehicle lineup. The loss of the Durango and Caravan would hurt Dodge in the short-term, but the two don’t exactly fit with the brand’s “sporty” image. Then again, neither does the Journey, but that doesn’t appear to be going anywhere either. One market that would feel the sting of the Grand Caravan’s demise is of course, Canada. The Caravan is a perennial best-seller in The Great White North, and the T&C would have to dip a lot lower in its pricing range to fill the void left by budget entries like the $18,995 Caravan Canada Value Package and better equipped mid-level trim ranges (for comparison, the T&C starts at just over $30k in Canada).

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

More by Derek Kreindler

Comments
Join the conversation
3 of 59 comments
  • Wheeljack Wheeljack on Jun 19, 2013

    I think this is a serious mistake. I recall reading an article published sometime after the Plymouth Voyager went away and a low-price Chrysler was cooked up to sell to the returning Plymouth customers. According to the article, a significant number of customers did not want the low-price Chrysler (or the Dodge Caravan for that matter) and instead went to Kia and Hyundai. I know people think they can just fold up the Dodge brand and their customers will just buy a Chrysler, but in the irrational world of brand image and customer behavior, that isn't always the case.

  • Johnny ringo Johnny ringo on Jun 19, 2013

    I certainly hope minivans don't go away. I have a couple of Newfies (Newfoundlands for non-dog people) to haul around to shows and various types of working trials; my Ody has plenty of room for both dogs and all my gear. I runs great and gets good gas mileage--in my case a CUV or an SUV would be useless.

    • Nrd515 Nrd515 on Jun 19, 2013

      I had three largish dogs when I had my Caravan back in 1985 and it was a great way to cart them around. I took the back seat out and put it in the basement, it was just a place for the puppy I got the day after I bought the Caravan to hide out and eat the carpet without us noticing. Not chew it, eat it, including the sound deadener stuff. Other than some odd FWD handling issues and a total lack of power, I liked it ok. I replaced it with an '88 S10 Blazer that at least could merge on the freeway without any drama.

  • Dartdude The bottom line is that in the new America coming the elites don't want you and me to own cars. They are going to make building cars so expensive that the will only be for the very rich and connected. You will eat bugs and ride the bus and live in a 500sq-ft. apartment and like it. HUD wants to quit giving federal for any development for single family homes and don't be surprised that FHA aren't going to give loans for single family homes in the very near future.
  • Ravenuer The rear view of the Eldo coupe makes it look fat!
  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
  • JTiberius1701 Middle of April here in NE Ohio. And that can still be shaky. Also on my Fiesta ST, I use Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires for the winter and Bridgestone Potenza for my summer tires. No issues at all.
  • TCowner We've had a 64.5 Mustang in the family for the past 40 years. It is all original, Rangoon Red coupe with 289 (one of the first instead of the 260), Rally Pac, 4-speed, factory air, every option. Always gets smiles and thumbs ups.
Next