WINDSOR, ON – The company that invented the minivan 18 years ago celebrated the build of its nine millionth minivan on March 26 at its European manufacturing facility in Graz, Austria. Hundreds of Chrysler Group employees cheered as the nine millionth minivan, a silver Chrysler Voyager 2.5 diesel, which will be sold in Europe, drove off the line.
Introduced in November, 1983 at the company's Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario, the segment-busting minivan would go on to replace the station wagon, put the family room on wheels, spark the cup holder revolution and forever change the landscape of the world's highways and driveways.
"We now sell nearly 600,000 minivans annually in more than 70 countries throughout the world," said Frank J. Ewasyshyn, Executive Vice President, Advance Manufacturing and General Manager of Minivan Operations. Mr. Ewasyshyn was Maintenance General Superintendent at the Windsor plant when the first minivan was built in 1983. "And despite speculation, the minivan market continues to be vibrant. Just last year, the segment climbed to an all-time high of more than 2.0 million sales worldwide. Our minivan continues to answer the call for utility, convenience and a style."
Chrysler's formula for the minivan was simple: a garageable van, designed from the inside out, that offered easy entry and exit, chair-height seating, second seat access, low flat floor, removable seats and front-wheel drive.