Vans are part of the history of Chrysler. The manufacturer, which today only has this type of vehicle in its portfolio, says it wants to continue to remain very competitive in the segment. According to Chris Feuell, general manager of Chrysler, this is a very successful niche that will maintain growth in the coming years.
The company will therefore rely on the Pacifica and the Grand Caravan to represent the brand on the market. The future of the Pacifica seems very bright, while that of the Grand Caravan is more nebulous.
A van company
The general manager of Chrysler has been clear, minivans will not disappear from Chrysler’s catalog. She also recalled that the American company invented the concept of this type of vehicle, and that Chrysler would continue to offer products in the segment for a long time.
Chris Feuell also explained, during a conversation with the RPM team, that the market was keen on this size. According to the most recent sales figures, the van category saw a 120% sales increase in the 3e quarter of 2023 compared to that of 2022. The Director also added that projections and analyzes made by marketing specialists stipulated that the segment would still be in high demand at least for the next 10 years.
An update for the Pacifica, a shady career for the Grand Caravan
Chrysler therefore wants to remain a competitive manufacturer in the niche. To do this, the manufacturer plans to carry out a considerable update of the Pacifica by 2026. Very few details have leaked, but we can understand that the plug-in hybrid version will always be prioritized, and that the next Pacifica will be entitled to a important style exercise.
Chris Feuell specified that the plug-in variant of the Pacifica was a real success throughout North America, and that Chrysler would give more possibilities to the brand’s customers in the near future. This perhaps suggests that a standard hybrid version could be added to the range.
Concerning the Grand Caravan, the General Director was rather reserved about its future. The latter, who initially did not talk about the product during the meeting, mentioned that it will still be offered in Canada as a separate model. However, no major changes are expected in the coming years, at least that is what we can understand.
The good news? Chrysler’s Canadian plant, in Windsor, Ontario, will be systematically prioritized to assemble and build the group’s subsequent vans. This factory will also be responsible for manufacturing Dodge’s next cars.
