Thai
Elite Member
Chrysler often zigs while others zag, and it has done so rather successfully over the years.
With its fifth-generation 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan minivans soon arriving in showrooms, Chrysler is doing it again. It has decided to stick with the minivan while other manufacturers trade in minivans for crossovers.
Is it a safe bet for Chrysler or risky business?
Safe Bet?
Chrysler is banking on the size and relative stability of the still-large minivan market. Industrywide, minivans account for 1 million to 1.1 million sales year in and year out, although Edmunds.com statistics show minivan sales dipped below the million mark last year.
"Despite the relative recent decline in sales, minivans are still generating more than 70,000 sales on average every month so far this year," says Jesse Toprak, Edmunds.com's executive director of industry analysis. To put this in perspective, Toprak points out that large SUVs have averaged about 56,000 units a month.
"Minivans may not be as cool in terms of their image, but they are still a good source of cool cash for the automakers," notes Toprak. "There is still stable and significant demand for minivans. It is difficult to find a perfect substitute for minivans, especially for families with children."
Fewer Competitors, Less Complexity
While its execs aren't saying so aloud, Chrysler could grab even more sales and market share with its fifth-generation family hauler. General Motors and Ford, neither of which ever got the minivan formula right, have dropped from the fray to build crossover utilities instead. Honda, Hyundai, Kia and Toyota remain formidable competitors in the minivan segment, however. And Volkswagen will introduce a minivan
With its fifth-generation 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan minivans soon arriving in showrooms, Chrysler is doing it again. It has decided to stick with the minivan while other manufacturers trade in minivans for crossovers.
Is it a safe bet for Chrysler or risky business?
Safe Bet?
Chrysler is banking on the size and relative stability of the still-large minivan market. Industrywide, minivans account for 1 million to 1.1 million sales year in and year out, although Edmunds.com statistics show minivan sales dipped below the million mark last year.
"Despite the relative recent decline in sales, minivans are still generating more than 70,000 sales on average every month so far this year," says Jesse Toprak, Edmunds.com's executive director of industry analysis. To put this in perspective, Toprak points out that large SUVs have averaged about 56,000 units a month.
"Minivans may not be as cool in terms of their image, but they are still a good source of cool cash for the automakers," notes Toprak. "There is still stable and significant demand for minivans. It is difficult to find a perfect substitute for minivans, especially for families with children."
Fewer Competitors, Less Complexity
While its execs aren't saying so aloud, Chrysler could grab even more sales and market share with its fifth-generation family hauler. General Motors and Ford, neither of which ever got the minivan formula right, have dropped from the fray to build crossover utilities instead. Honda, Hyundai, Kia and Toyota remain formidable competitors in the minivan segment, however. And Volkswagen will introduce a minivan
