Fiat Chrysler Automobiles surpasses 15 million milestone
Around 35 years ago, the first Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager rolled off the production line and started modernizing the classic American people carrier, shifting the market’s interest from clunky station wagons to more family friendly minivans.
Now, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is celebrating a new milestone, selling over 15 million minivans.
Especially popular in the US market, the minivan has a reputation of being used by suburban moms driving their kids to soccer practice.
Some people look down on the minivan for that reason, criticizing its build quality and performance, but this just means that the minivans are budget friendly and practical cars, capable of transporting children safely.
Despite having numerous ups and downs and its longstanding rivalry with General Motors, FCA’s minivan market remains alive, recently selling over 15 million units.
To commemorate this, FCA posted this collage comprised of 15 million minivans (try counting them all.)
Tim Kuniskis, Global Head of Alfa Romeo and Head of Passenger Cars – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA – North America shares his thoughts on the FCA’s achievement in an interview, saying “Reaching 15 million minivans sold isn’t just about hitting a number, it’s about the memories families have made and the children who have grown up driven to school or practice or on a family road trip in a Chrysler Pacifica or Pacifica Hybrid, Dodge Caravan or Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country or Voyager over the past three and a half decades.”
FCA’s current minivan lineup consists of the Chrysler Voyager, the Chrysler Pacifica, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, and the Dodge Grand Caravan, a descendant of the van that started it all, the Caravan.
The Pacifica Hybrid is the first and only hybrid minivan on the market, and it is possible that Chrysler will integrate more EVs in their lineup as the demand for hybrid vehicles grow larger.
Although not extremely popular in the local market, minivans have created a cult following of dedicated customers who seem to value function over form, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
For now, minivan fans can rest easy knowing that despite the growing market for SUVs and crossovers, the minivan market isn’t dying any time soon.
