| | | | | they want, and the power and responsiveness they |
| It was 25 years ago this Fall when the Chrysler | | | | expect." |
| Corporation shook up the automotive industry by | | | | Chrysler has managed to hold firm in the minivan |
| introducing a trio of small vans, dubbed minivans, for its | | | | market even while Ford and General Motors exited |
| Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth brands. The Chrysler | | | | the segment. The Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna |
| Town & Country, Plymouth Voyager, and Dodge | | | | are its chief competitors, but Chrysler still holds 40% of |
| Caravan were instant hits, helping Chrysler to carve | | | | the market, with the Dodge Grand Caravan continuing |
| out a new automotive segment and defining the term | | | | as the best selling minivan on the market. Since it was |
| “people hauler” in the process. | | | | first introduced, Chrysler has sold more than twelve |
| Today, Chrysler still leads in this important segment, | | | | million of its minivans. |
| offering two models: the Dodge Grand Caravan and | | | | When it comes to passenger safety, the Chrysler and |
| the Chrysler Town & Country. Both minivans seat | | | | Dodge minivans are at the top of their game, receiving |
| seven passengers and are powered by a 4.0L V6 | | | | five-star crash test certification for front and side |
| engine that is paired with a six-speed automatic | | | | impacts. Both minivans have been technological |
| transmission. The transmission, new for 2009, is the | | | | leaders down through the years, by offering Swivel 'n |
| first of its kind: the only six-speed automatic available | | | | Go seating, minivan-first dual DVD players and |
| on a minivan. | | | | uconnect studios SIRIUS Backseat TV with family |
| The new engine-transmission pairing has given the | | | | programming channels that include Nickelodeon, Disney |
| automaker a needed boost, by providing best in class | | | | Channel and Cartoon Network Mobile, and |
| fuel economy of 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. | | | | best-in-class aerodynamics, Cd of 0.33. |
| "Chrysler and Dodge minivans continue to lead the | | | | For 2009, a third version of the Chrysler minivans is |
| segment," said Larry Lyons, Vice President - Car and | | | | now available, the Volkswagen Routan, a vehicle |
| Minivan Product Team, Chrysler LLC. "With an | | | | which shares the same platform, engine and |
| improved 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine and a minivan-first | | | | transmission as its Chrysler and Dodge cousins. |
| six-speed transmission, no other minivan has better | | | | However, the Routan uses a unique suspension and |
| fuel economy. We optimized both the engine and the | | | | the minivan has its own interior and exterior to help |
| transmission to give our customers the fuel economy | | | | differentiate the model from its American competitors. |