|
While domestic rivals Ford and General Motors are dumping the minivan, Chrysler, which invented the minivan in 1984, continues on where it will be unveiling new models in January at the North America International Auto Show in Detroit.
Chrysler will be exhibiting its 2008 Town & Country and Dodge Caravan at the Detroit Auto Show. According to Erich Merkle, an auto analyst from IRN Inc., Grand Rapids, Michigan, the vehicles are "...more hard-edge, upright, industrial design than the current jellybean look." The automaker is at a turning point with its minivans. Analysts say that Chrysler has to "knock it out of the park" with these new minivans which are, to Chrysler, what the F-Series pickup is to Ford. With nearly 20 percent of annual sales, mini-vans are among Chrysler's biggest sellers. Chrysler expects the minivan segment to hold steady or grow and hopes to attract a larger share of the market. This is despite competition from Toyota and Honda and their popular Sienna and Odyssey offerings. Our take? There will always be a demand for mini-vans despite the growing market for SUVs and crossovers. We see success for Chrysler only if it matches or exceed the competition in offerings while beating them in price.
|
|