"We continue to enhance the minivan formula by introducing even more minivan-first features," said Ewasyshyn. "By continuing to offer more minivan-firsts, we are able to keep our minivan fans coming back for more and stay top-of-mind with new buyers."
Over the past 18 years, the Chrysler Group enhanced the minivan formula by introducing numerous "firsts" into the segment including a driver-side sliding door, standard driver air bag, standard passenger air bag, integrated child safety seats, reclining child safety seats, grocery bag hooks and wireless headsets.
The latest firsts are featured in the company's all-new 2001 Chrysler and Dodge minivan lineup and include a power up and down liftgate, removable power center console, pop-up rear cargo organizer and three zone automatic temperature control.
"Of those nine million minivans, more than five million were built at Windsor Assembly," said Ed Brust, DaimlerChrysler Canada's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Nearly two decades later, we continue to dominate the huge market segment we created. Dodge Caravan was the top-selling vehicle in Canada in Calendar Year 2000 and, in fact, is the best-selling vehicle in Canadian auto industry history."
With three minivan assembly plants, Chrysler Group builds nearly 2,766 minivans every day which translates into more than 115 minivans per hour or nearly two minivans per minute.
Even with more than 15 competitive nameplates from which to choose, Dodge and Chrysler continue to command more than 35 percent of the minivan segment in Canada and the United States. With nine models, Dodge and Chrysler offer the greatest selection of minivans throughout a vast price range.
Industry-wide, minivans account for nearly seven percent of all new vehicles sold in North American and 15.4% in Canada. Dodge Caravan, Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Voyager and Chrysler Town & Country are manufactured in Windsor, Ontario; St. Louis, Missouri and Graz, Austria. The Chrysler Voyager is not marketed in Canada.