So, the moneyboys who bought Chrysler put Robert Nardelli in charge. Nardelli’s a beancounter’s delight. He thinks design, function and demographics are less important than beating the price on vinyl seats.
And here’s the plan he inherited:
Chrysler invented the minivan 24 years ago, but the segment has been in decline and the company seeks to revive it with its fifth generation of minivans, The Detroit News reported.
“We have a lot of pride in this segment. We feel that we understand the market better than anybody else,” Mike Accavitti, director of Dodge brand marketing, told the News. “And while our competition is exiting the segment, we’re raising the bar. We’re putting more features and functions on the minivan based on our superior knowledge of it.”
2008 minivans will have…13 cup and bottle holders and rear windows that roll down…and second-row seats that swivel and face the rear seats with a table that can be mounted between. Chrysler calls it Swivel ‘n Go.
Yup. And 24 years ago, that minivan ran on unleaded gasoline for $1.25 a gallon.
What advanced engine and drivetrain options are new for 2008? You can get a 4 litre V-6 with a 6-speed tranny – for your minivan.
I’m not sure what you mean by those last two comments. Newer Chrysler minivans (and the Pacifica) actually get pretty good gas mileage for what they are and are definitely improvements over previous model years.
The whole swiveling chair thing isn’t new. I remember seeing that in Ford conversion vans in the early ’90s, tables too. Just gives the brats in the back something else they can annoy their parents with.
I would have thought that “reinventing the minivan” would have started with pluggable hybrid technology.
Seems clear to me. Let’s take a declining market commodity and “upgrade” it by offering an option with less gas mileage. How many moms shuttling family errands want it to cost even more?
Hey, so the basic concept is moribund; it’s got THIRTEEN CUP AND BOTTLE HOLDERS. Woo-eee. That’s 2+ holders for each passenger. I hope they accomodate the “Big Gulp” size 200-ounce beverages that kids are so fond of nowadays.
And screw the hybrid technology….just outit the back of the driver and passenger seats with some flat-screen HD screens for non-stop, portal-to-portal telecrap, and they’re good to go.
This is just one more example as to how the large manufacturers have no idea as to who or what their demographics are and what it is the American public really wants. What we want is CHEAP GAS STUPID !!! Who freakin cares about another car that looks pretty. Make less cars so that your plants use less oil so that we can actually drive the cars that we ALREADY HAVE !!!
Chrysler minivans are the best vehicles to take family trips in. Y2K+ models are relatively reliable and they are very comfortable.
When we were shopping for a minivan we passed on Honda, Kia, and Mazada because the Town and Country seemed so much larger, luxurious and quiet.
Mechanically it is still a piece of crap though and the van averages around 20 mpg, 15 mpg when driving like an asshole.
It’s probably too much of a tinfoil-hat-stretch to blame Daimler for failing to equip Chrysler products with their superlative diesel tech. They’ve even shown diesel-hybrid tech for a few years, now, without introducing it on any production platforms.
Maybe Ryan will drop by and let us in on smaller displacement diesel tech – American-made. I don’t doubt they exist. Everyone is totally convinced Americans will never get over the crap offered up by GM and accept modern, quiet, clean diesel technology.
I would at least like to have the opportunity to buy and try.
What kind of transformer does a minivan turn into?
I thought Volkswagen invented the minivan in the ’60’s. And then reinvented the minivan with the Vanagon in the eighties.
I’ll bet Al Gore will buy a Chrysler!
Isn’t Robert Nardelli the asshole that destroyed HomeDepot?
In other words, Chrysler intends to compete with Winnebago.
I don’t get it? Were you hoping for a hybrid minivan? From Chrysler?
People who buy hybrids don’t have kids and don’t like kids and definately don’t buy Chryslers. Think about it. If you are going to pay 5 grand extra for the pleasure of a hybrid so you can feel better about your carbon footprint, why on earth would you bring children into this world too?
#12 Kevin….you need to grasp this concept.
I got a Prius, because I have two kids. The Prius replaced my Toyota Sienna.
For the same monthly payment$, in my case:
Toyota Sienna + gas == Prius + gas
I had no need to tow a boat, haul 7 people at the same every single week, or lug 4×8 sheets, to justify owning a minivan 24/7.
Only need to transport myself 40% of the time, two people 40% of the time, and 4 or 5 people 20% of the time.
A wise investment is the Thule roof rack & extra long carrier.
Skis & snowboards during the winter, luggage for trips in the summer.
Only 15 minutes to install.
You should read De Lorean’s ( the car in “back to the future) book (on a clear day you can see General Motors). It will show you how the upper management of N.A. auto companies arrives at such mind boggling decisions
#13 Mark –
Fair enough. Keep in mind the hidden costs associated with buying vehicles, or more specifically, trading them in. Based on your cost equation I assume you had a car payment on your van. Maybe you were leasing? It has become popular to trade in perfectly good vehicles in order to switch to a hybrid for the sake of inproved mileage. The TOTAL cost (not just monthly) therefor includes the loss on the tradein value, the additional cost of a new vehicle plus the premium for a hybrid over the remaining cost of the old vehicle. Subtract out any tax breaks that may apply and any savings on gas.
It might make sense to switch if you are already ready for a new vehicle. Then decide if the hybrid is worth the extra cost.
BTW, non-business leasing is always a bad deal for the buyer. It would be best to make one payment for whatever vehicle you buy. Then you always know that that is the one you can afford!
I have a full size gas powered truck that gets 11mpg. I have a need for that type of vehicle so that is what I have. If they came out with a hybrid version that got 19mpg I would not buy it now. I already own this truck, I paid one payment for it, and it’s only 7 years old. I plan to drive it for another 7 years before I’m ready to get a new one. In the mean time, I’m saving up so I can make one payment again.
I’m not wealthy, I’m married with 3 kids, and we live on one income because that works best for our family. We have to spend as wisely as possible.
The cost of fuel is the third highest cost in owning a vehicle. The financing and insurance take much more out of the total cost of ownership than does fuel.
If someone can afford it than why not buy a minivan? We get over 25 MPG with our 2001 Grand Caravan. Although I admit I do drive very efficiently and keep my speed down. It drives well, is comfortable to ride in, can carry up to six comfortably and seven if three are small. When Chrysler comes out with an improved version, I might think about it.
Now, there is obviously a market out there for these vehicles. Chrysler would be foolish to totally ignore this market and follow the coat tails of some Japanese or Korean manufacturers. If they end up making a hybrid or total electric minivan then so be it.
#15 Kevin, nice. 🙂
Yes, I was making payments. In both cases, buying.
#16 25 Mpg is impressive. I don’t do enough highway driving, the stop & go is a mileage killer.
What really ticks me off – Ford/GM/Chrysler all developed PZEV for a mere 500$ upgrade to the exhaust system. For meeting the CAFE standards.
Yet on a 35K$ luxury minivan, or more expensive SUV, they don’t market PZEV because nobody would buy it.
Doesn’t improve mileage, but would greatly reduce smog.
#17, Mark,
Maybe I should have added we live in the country. I rarely go faster then 55 MPH. Stoplights are not a problem around here but I understand where you are coming from. The Grand Caravan has a 3.0L.
The console has a mileage read-out. Cruising it says we are getting 30+ MPG, but I figure that must be Canadian gallons so I am estimating the 25.
I used to have a 1985 Plymouth Voyager and it was great. I’d take a minivan over an SUV. Alot more practical. Right now though I own a Dodge Magnum which is cooler than either of those ….. : )
Thanks for making those of us who use mini-vans because of a disability feel even more “uncool” than we already do! Its not what you drive that makes you “cool” but rather who you are when you reach your destination. A word to auto-makers: We have no children. My 50yo husband, a top Market Research Executive . takes our 7yo mini-van to work & golf! Tiger Woods promotes Buicks!