Caravan Losing Ground as Internet Shoppers Eye New Toyota Minivan

Nissan, Toyota Offer Hot New Models in Time for Summer Travel; Older GM, Honda Vans Sag in Buyer Interest

In an unprecedented surge of consumer interest, a Japanese auto manufacturer has captured another Big 3 stronghold - top spot in Internet buyer interest among families considering their next minivan purchase.

Toyota's newly revamped 2004 Sienna minivan outpaced Canada's perennial favorite, the Dodge Caravan, in CarCostCanada's consumer requests for pricing and research information. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

According to new information released today by Car Cost Canada (www.carcostcanada.com), Toyota's newly revamped 2004 Sienna minivan outpaced Canada's perennial favorite, the Dodge Caravan, in consumer requests for pricing and research information.

The Dodge Caravan wasn't only the number one minivan sold in Canada last year, but the the number one vehicle sold period. Currents reports state that the Ford F-150 may surpass it in 2003. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)

The firm - a respected source for online dealer invoice cost and automotive research information - tracks and reports the industry's major trends in their monthly report highlighting buyer interest in key automotive categories.

Newer, bigger, better, safer - the automotive mantra that has sold new cars for a century -still seems to resonate with new car buyers, as older models from GM and Honda slipped behind on shoppers' lists in June and July as shown below:

2003/04 Makes and Models

1. Toyota Sienna
2. Dodge Caravan
3. Chevy Venture/Pontiac Montana
4. Honda Odyssey
5. Mazda MPV