Author Topic: What Mini Vans are Going Away? (Read 4842 times)

Trainman · « **on:** February 17, 2006, 05:47:48 pm »

A couple of weeks ago, in the Vancouver Sun, in the Tony Whitney column on mini vans, he mentioned that "several" manufactures were getting out of the mini van market.

Anyone know who specifically? (his article did not mention names)

Snowman · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2006, 07:15:50 pm »

I would guess GM with their latest so called cross-bread offerings.

G0dspd · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2006, 08:12:54 pm »

Chevrolet Uplander
Pontiac Montana
Saturn Relay (recent model ... or clone)
Buick Terraza (also pretty recent)

Ford Minibus a.k.a. Freestar

They're all going bye bye!

hondasalesguy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2006, 08:45:36 pm »

I heard that Ford won't replace the Freestar, instead they will continue with crossover people movers, although supposedly the Freestyle is not long for this earth either, so they must have something else coming down the pike since the Edge is only a 5 seater.

I also heard that Mazda will not redesign the MPV, that van has been left in the dust by Honda and Toyota anyways, maybe they (Ford/Mazda) realize that they are fighting a losing battle, better to concentrate on new market segments that are just emerging and they have a better shot of being a player in.

Curious about the GM vans, they wouldn't drop them ALL would they? They want to specialize and have less duplication, but if any of them stuck around I think it would be Mntand and possibly Uplander too.

hondasalesguy · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2006, 08:46:12 pm »

spelling too fast... meant to say MONTANA...

initial_D · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2006, 10:04:46 pm »

Quote from: Trainman on February 17, 2006, 05:47:48 pm

A couple of weeks ago, in the Vancouver Sun, in the Tony Whitney column on mini vans, he mentioned that "several" manufactures were getting out of the mini van market.

Anyone know who specifically? (his article did not mention names)

Hopefully, all of them!

MKII · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2006, 10:14:03 pm »

Minivan segment faces stiff competition from sport-utility and crossover vehicles but still sells
Nissan and Hyundai showed off new, updated vehicles at Chicago Auto Show
Hyundai introduced Entourage, its 1st minivan; Nissan updated its Quest w /major interior changes
Hyundai's Entourage based on Sedona minivan platform of Kia subsidiary w/ different styling
Chrysler Group 1st to market minivan and still holds top 2 slots on US sales

2007 Hyundai Entourage
Significant Points
Nissan and Hyundai minivans aimed at grabbing part of Chrysler-led market
Analysts and execs see market stable w/ annual US sales of over 1M vehicles for at least next several years
According to Power Information Network, in 2005 Dodge Caravan had 20.4% US market share; Chrysler Town & Country 16.3%; Honda Odyssey 15.7%; Toyota Sienna 14.5%; Nissan Quest 3.6%
JD Power expects US minivan sales to stay above 1M units per year; they peaked at 1.37M in 2000
Minivan sales numbers could drop significantly " IF" Ford introduces model not classified as minivan

Sourced From: MSNBC, February 9, 2006

Ford has never been a player in the minivan market, which Chrysler continues to dominate.
The Fairlane concept wagon, which it unveiled in Detroit in 2005, a cross between an extended SUV and a minivan, that Ford calls a "people mover,
could help Ford finally make a splash in the minivan market.

Bullet Blue · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2006, 12:36:48 am »

Hyundai and Kia are gonna clean up in the minivan segment if there are so many others being discontinued.

G0dspd · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2006, 07:30:15 am »

I think I also read somewhere that Mazda wasn't renewing the MPV ... it had a good run with all its awards a few years ago. Mazda is a very focused brand. They don't have any full-size car (Millenia is long dead) and soon no minivan (Mazda5?). Their Ford Clones (B-series pick-up and Tribute) can't be very profitable. So they are left with 4-door compact/mid-size cars and a 2 sport cars to make it happen.

Bullet Blue · « **Reply #9 on:** February 18, 2006, 09:29:39 am »

I would love for Mazda to bring back a Millenia type of vehicle though.

Careener · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2006, 01:54:40 pm »

Quote from: hondasalesguy on February 17, 2006, 08:45:36 pm

I heard that Ford won't replace the Freestar, instead they will continue with crossover people movers, although supposedly the Freestyle is not long for this earth either, so they must have something else coming down the pike since the Edge is only a 5 seater.

I also heard that Mazda will not redesign the MPV, that van has been left in the dust by Honda and Toyota anyways, maybe they (Ford/Mazda) realize that they are fighting a losing battle, better to concentrate on new market segments that are just emerging and they have a better shot of being a player in.

Curious about the GM vans, they wouldn't drop them ALL would they? They want to specialize and have less duplication, but if any of them stuck around I think it would be Mntand and possibly Uplander too.

I have heard a rumour that the Freestyle is being revived..Good riddance to the Freestar.

Trainman · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2006, 02:19:20 pm »

Thanks for the replies.

I had heard about the Freestar and guessed the MPV but was not sure.

Would be surprised at GM dropping out of this, in our area the new versions seem to be selling OK.

inco · « **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2006, 05:00:14 pm »

And then you know that along comes Hyundai with their new van and soon we might see the VW-DC van that will be built. Bringing it to Canada might not happen, but it could be made in Canada!

Ford should concentrate on the crossovers though if for no other reason that taking others minds off the Freestar/Windstar efforts that never did quite measure up.

G0dspd · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2006, 10:59:38 pm »

Looks like Ford is keeping the Freestyle for a few more years ... at least they're putting their new 3.5L V6 in it. In 2008 supposedly.

inco · « **Reply #14 on:** February 21, 2006, 07:48:22 am »

That's what it needed from day 1. It's a very practical vehicle that sheds the 'van' image. I wanted to consider it but the engine was the problem. Loaded there would be no power. Now, maybe there is hope.

asdf · « **Reply #15 on:** February 21, 2006, 09:50:07 am »

If GM drops its half-breed minivans then Chrysler/Dodge's market share should significantly increase.

If you look at the pricing of these new minivans all of them are over $30K with the Odyssey and Sienna being over $36K if you want decent equipment. Young families either don't have the means or don't want to spend that much on a vehicle that isn't cool or inspiring.

The Dodge Caravan currently sells for $19K which makes for one hell of a bargain. Hell... you can almost buy two of them for the price of an Odyssey.

wrekk · « **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2006, 02:05:35 pm »

I just drove 60 hours in a Doge Caravan and I was pleasantly surprised. A ton of storage of space and although lacking power when loaded with six people and all their luggage, in normal conditions it would suffice. It got decent mileage (all interstate - I love driving in the US), but the "stow-n-go" seats definitely lack cushioning for long drives. For the price, and practicalty of them, they'll continue to sell well.

66coronet · « **Reply #17 on:** March 06, 2006, 07:04:46 am »

Was that the 3.3L or the 3.8L?
Did you know that soon there will be a 4.0L. That should pick things up a little.

Quote from: wrekk on February 22, 2006, 02:05:35 pm

I just drove 60 hours in a Dodge Caravan and I was pleasantly surprised. A ton of storage of space and although lacking power when loaded with six people and all their luggage, in normal conditions it would suffice. It got decent mileage (all interstate - I love driving in the US), but the "stow-n-go" seats definitely lack cushioning for long drives. For the price, and practicalty of them, they'll continue to sell well.

derrickw · « **Reply #18 on:** March 06, 2006, 05:21:09 pm »

Quote from: asdf on February 21, 2006, 09:50:07 am

The Dodge Caravan currently sells for $19K which makes for one hell of a bargain. Hell... you can almost buy two of them for the price of an Odyssey.

Is that with incentives? Checked Dodge's website and it starts at $28k.

turbodiesel · « **Reply #19 on:** March 16, 2006, 01:20:14 pm »

Mazda MPV will be gone and replaced by CX-7 or CX-9... dunno which is which... but... what a pity! I think we deserve the JDM MPV!