2004 May Be Final Year to Buy All-Wheel Drive Chrysler Minivan
With a substantial share of the minivan market, it's not like DaimlerChrysler did a bad job redesigning the latest Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. The latter is arguably the most luxuriously equipped van on today's market, while both deliver high levels of standard equipment offering features other van makers can't even compete with.
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| Although the Chrysler Town & Country is arguably the most luxurious van on the market, it's losing sales to competitors because of its lack of a folding third row seat. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
But nevertheless the Chrysler/Dodge duo is leaving a few slices of pie for its competitors to gobble up due to its lack of a tumble under third row seat. In its 2000 redesign all-wheel drive (AWD) was deemed more important than cargo/seating flexibility, a philosophy the world's number one minivan maker seems to be rethinking. The space under the cargo floor necessary for incorporating AWD takes up the room needed for the fold-flat seat.
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| While top domestic minivan makers are scrambling to incorporate a flat-folding rear seat into their next generation designs, Japanese contender Nissan has not only added a tumble under third row seat to its new 2004 Quest, but a fold-flat middle row of seats as well. Toyota's new Sienna offers a similar cargo solution as well. (Photo: Nissan) |
According to USA Today, Chrysler will debut a "retooled" minivan at next January's North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The updated van will reportedly sport the convenient third row seat, with no mention as to whether AWD will be available or discontinued. Another scenario could be the option of one or the other, making Chrysler/Dodge vans customizable to owner needs.
Of course the fact that AWD is chosen only by 5 percent of Caravan/Town & Country buyers might make the final decision much easier. It is entirely possible Chrysler will choose to go the route Mazda went with its most recent MPV redesign, dropping AWD altogether in place of the flat-folding seat.