The market for minivans has not dies however, it has simply shifted.
The market has steadied to an annual sales volume of around 700,000 units. High, but down from the peak in 2000 of 1,371,234 units.
The average price of the units sold however, has risen from $24,857 to $27,500, and in the case of both Toyota and Honda, they are much bigger players in the market now compared to when minivan sales were at their peak. Chrysler in fact, still holds the market share advantage, though it must be said it is when combining their minivan sales under all their brands. Still though at 38.5 percent it's a bit higher than Toyota 20.7.
Soon enough, Volkswagen will be joining the market their Routan, a derivative of the Chrysler vans.
Our take? The minivan sill holds numerous advantages over an SUV of any type, and should the market shift back towards vans with rising fuel prices and other issues, those who chose to stay in the market will be sitting pretty.
via Auto Week