Form enhanced function follows a similar pattern inside the Pacifica. Tastefully simple seat designs are attractive while appearing supportive, especially up front where the side bolstering looks quite adequate. A newly designed steering wheel integrates audio and cruise control buttons while framing a colorfully backlit gauge package. Driver and front passenger can be refreshed by two large, rectangular vents featuring brushed-aluminum faceplates. These are interspaced along a slender piece of wood grain trim that cascades across the dash. At each door the trim theme continues, first with aluminum surfacing incorporating a door handle, power lock switch and Mercedes-style power seat controls (for front occupants), then followed by the wood trim. Aluminum trim covers the floor console-mounted shifter gate as well.
Chrysler calls the new 'widget' in this all-new market segment a "sports tourer", and will put it on sale during the spring of 2003 as a 2004 model. It's important to note that while the Pacifica will be built in the Chrysler Group Windsor, Ontario assembly plant alongside the Grand Caravan and Town & Country minivans, it constitutes an entirely new platform with only 5% usage of minivan components. Although the Pacifica will be one of the first of its kind available, it won't be alone for long. DaimlerChrysler sibling Mercedes-Benz will be launching a variation on the full-size crossover theme shortly thereafter, named the GST, while Volkswagen has announced a version of its Magellan concept car. An aggressively styled Infiniti FX45, built on the FM platform shared with the G35 sedan and coupe, will also be joining the party priced similarly to the 2004 Cadillac SRX. Even Volvo's getting into the action with the attractive XC90 while truck volume leader Ford has announced a version of the species called Crosstrainer.
But DaimlerChrysler doesn't seem at all concerned. The company seems to be doing almost everything right lately. With Chrysler brand sales having increased by 306% since 1991 (from 130,542 to 530,454 in 2001), which is more than any other American automotive brand, and its market share tripled from 1 percent to 3 in the same time period, plus its recent resurgence to profitability, they're in a strong fighting position.