Chrysler CEO Talks All-Electric Future Minivan To Green Car Reports!

Can Stow 'N Go Continue To Exist?

Robert S. Miller April 29, 2022

2017 Chrysler Portal Concept. (Chrysler).

Under the supervision of its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Christine Feuell is in a revitalized period as the brand moves toward offering a fully-electrified lineup by 2028. With the 96-year-old brand showcasing its new Chrysler Airflow Concept earlier this year at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas and a second time at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), the “blue-collar luxury” brand isn’t holding back on the direction it’s taking for the next decade.

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Now, while the Airflow Concept is a two-row crossover, the minivan continues to be what Chrysler is known for. Introduced in 1984, Chrysler’s truly revolutionary front-wheel-drive (FWD) minivans were an instant success. The Chrysler minivans offered an attractive and practical alternative to the traditional station wagon and full-sized vans, from the 1970s. Today, the minivans have become the do everything, and do everything well vehicle for families.

While minivans have gotten a bad rap as a “soccer mom” or “grocery getter” vehicle, Chrysler has re-invented the minivan segment with its latest generation of Pacifica minivans. Now competing against larger three-row crossovers, the Pacifica offers capability, capacity, and functionality that would put some full-size crossovers to shame. But Chrysler’s minivans still continue to struggle to shake the stigma of the terms we stated before.

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In a recent interview with “Green Car Reports“, Feuell was asked about whether the minivan would have its place in Chrysler’s electrified future portfolio. She simply responded, “Yeah.” While she wouldn’t go in-depth about the brand’s future plans surrounding the minivan, she did reply, I think it’s safe to say that we are looking to reinvent the minivan in our future lineup.”

Feuell believes that the automaker’s goal should be to do “a segment-buster, again.” She highlighted that the Pacifica’s exclusive Stow ‘N Go seating configuration, where both the second-and third-row seating fold flat into the floor, optimizing cargo volume in only a matter of seconds, could play a role in a future Chrysler electrified vehicle.

That may prove to be quite the engineering and design feat, as electric vehicles tend to place their large battery packs low in the center of the vehicle’s chassis. Currently, on the Pacifica plug-in hybrid (PHEV), Chrysler does not offer the Stow ‘N Go seating configuration. The reason why is simple, instead of housing the tubs to hold the seats for the second row under the floor, Chrysler uses the area to house the Pacifica PHEV’s high-voltage 96-cell Li-ion, 16 kWh battery pack.

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The Stow ‘N Go seating configuration, has been a staple of the minivan’s functionality since its introduction in 2005 in the fourth-generation (RS) minivans.

Feuell also when on to discuss the minivan, as a “life-stage vehicle”. It was highlighted that the segment is dominated by families, with not every family using their vans in the same manner. Range was also an important topic discussed. According to the Chrysler CEO, “A 400-mile (644-kilometer) range seems to be the sweet spot for many customers who are trying to overcome the anxiety that they have about considering [the] range.”

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When it comes to the brand’s future electrified portfolio, the Chrysler CEO did state that the recently showcased Airflow, “is purely a concept and not a production-intent preview of an EV”. Chrysler is expected to bring up to three new battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) to market before 2028. MoparInsiders.com has learned that the first one, internally codenamed (CA) will be a D-segment crossover.

With an all-electric crossover and minivan clearly being focused on, Green Car Reports did ask Feuell about the possibility of a sedan being one of those three BEV vehicles looking to be brought to market by 2028, as the Chrysler 300 Series looks to come to an end after the 2023 model year. Feuell simply replied, “It’s not off the table.”

Source: Green Car Reports

Robert S. Miller

Robert S. Miller is a diehard Mopar enthusiast who lives and breathes all that is Mopar. The Michigander is not only the Editor for MoparInsiders.com, 5thGenRams.com, and HDRams.com but an automotive photographer. He is an avid fan of offshore powerboat racing, which he travels the country to take part in.

Guilty! I have been enamored with Chrysler since 1953. It was my Godfather John Tuccillo’s shinny new green Chrysler that did it for me and since I first set eyes on her, it’s been Chrysler that draws my focus. Absolutely this is important news that I want to read about.
A future for Chrysler, in the face of relentless doom predictions, is comforting and invigorating. I’ll make this brief, give me some rendition of the Chrysler’s I lust for and I will be happy. . A 300, a Crossfire, a midsize drop top, a halo sedan called “Imperial”, a couple of SUVs and yes a minivan. How you do it matters little, that you do it matters much. My uncle Johnny was and is always in my thoughts since it has always been Chrysler for me since that cool night in the Bronx when I first gazed upon his shiny new green Chrysler way back in 1953.

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g gapgap3063 Apr 30, 2022 #2

Guilty! I have been enamored with Chrysler since 1953. It was my Godfather John Tuccillo’s shinny new green Chrysler that did it for me and since I first set eyes on her, it’s been Chrysler that draws my focus. Absolutely this is important news that I want to read about.
A future for Chrysler, in the face of relentless doom predictions, is comforting and invigorating. I’ll make this brief, give me some rendition of the Chrysler’s I lust for and I will be happy. . A 300, a Crossfire, a midsize drop top, a halo sedan called “Imperial”, a couple of SUVs and yes a minivan. How you do it matters little, that you do it matters much. My uncle Johnny was and is always in my thoughts since it has always been Chrysler for me since that cool night in the Bronx when I first gazed upon his shiny new green Chrysler way back in 1953.

I'M like you are Bill, I bleed for this brand to be what it should be! my dad had a 1978 New Yorker brougham- (was aka an Imperial in 1977) loaded with everything and a big 440 CI. engine. plush everything that car did not take a back seat to any Caddy! Or Lincoln! and was above a Buick! or Olds! hell an Imperial at one time in the 60's cost more than a Rolls! My Point! Chrysler should be above any Jeep! period! in Luxury! when Chrysler a fully American company at the time bought Jeep, they did not let the Chrysler Brand of the company stand second to Jeep! Chrysler was the Luxury Focus! and even under Daimler Chrysler was premium -Crossfire, 300C, Pacifica-cuv, town and country, sebring and its drop top! they even gave us a luxed up Durango called the aspen, (which I didn't like the styling! and had cheap Plastics!) but Daimler said Chrysler was the Premium Brand! (except for that branding mistake of the Plymouth PT cruiser! into a Chrysler-stupid!!!) FCA then changed that Focus of premium over the years, Sergio had No love of the true Place of Chrysler as a brand! it was always the Dr's Hotrod! a premium car over mainstream Dodge, and affordable Plymouth, Now maybe theirs hope for the Brand with this new CEO!

This article from Green car reports also said- "Chrysler's current lineup consists of essentially two vehicles: the 300 sedan and Pacifica minivan. The former is ancient, with some underpinning bits dating back to the 2000s. It last received a refresh for 2015. The Pacifica, reintroduced as a minivan, arrived in 2017 and received a mild refresh for 2021. Both of those models will continue to be tweaked as ( they will survive beyond 2025) to have some overlap as the EVs launch. Don't expect new or heavily refreshed versions to emerge, though the executive said investments will be made to continue improving the product in terms of design and technology"

That means the 300 will be slightly updated. they have to! they can not stop making the 300 in October of 2023. Reason #1!-they can not go down to 1 vehicle! a minivan for over 2 years! as the Bev wont come till 2025, that would be Brand suicide! almost like what FCA was doing to Chrysler! Stellantis seems to have a better vision than that! the 300 will likely get updated and live on till at least 2025 and replaced with a Bev sedan in 2026? 2027?Christine Feuell has said She wants Chrysler to still play in its offerings it has now and A Bev sedan is not out of the picture, since it can be made on the same line as the BEV Charger! As well as offering a Bev minivan, large Bev SUV, and the Airflow? or whatever name they give that Bev Cuv. I still love my ICE powered cars and will buy another one a (300?) maybe even a hybrid version? but I know change is a coming!

She is the first one in a while to even talk anything Chrysler! Timothy Kuniskis did double duty as the Dodge Ceo mainly! and Chrysler seemed an after thought to him! as he mostly never talked anything Chrysler! glad he was replaced with a separate leader! I like Him! but his mindset should be only Dodge as that brands leader! I do think FCA killed any of his Hopes for the Chrysler brand though! so I cant Blame Him for the lack of investment!

I own 2 300's a 2005 300C AND A 2017 300C LOVE THEM TO DEATH! they stayed away from the jet looks of Caddy and the crazy huge ninja, alien, Predator, movies look grilles of the Import transplants Companies sedans. I do hope they change the airflow front face somewhat! it needs to be Bold! instead of yawn! they need a homerun BEV! from day ONE! and as far as the 300 I hope the last one is strikingly bold! as I will buy the last year version of the updated one that again Green car reports said Christine Feuell hinted was coming. I'm just not a SUV fanatic! sorry!

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bill burke Apr 30, 2022 #3

I'M like you are Bill, I bleed for this brand to be what it should be! my dad had a 1978 New Yorker brougham- (was aka an Imperial in 1977) loaded with everything and a big 440 CI. engine. plush everything that car did not take a back seat to any Caddy! Or Lincoln! and was above a Buick! or Olds! hell an Imperial at one time in the 60's cost more than a Rolls! My Point! Chrysler should be above any Jeep! period! in Luxury! when Chrysler a fully American company at the time bought Jeep, they did not let the Chrysler Brand of the company stand second to Jeep! Chrysler was the Luxury Focus! and even under Daimler Chrysler was premium -Crossfire, 300C, Pacifica-cuv, town and country, sebring and its drop top! they even gave us a luxed up Durango called the aspen, (which I didn't like the styling! and had cheap Plastics!) but Daimler said Chrysler was the Premium Brand! (except for that branding mistake of the Plymouth PT cruiser! into a Chrysler-stupid!!!) FCA then changed that Focus of premium over the years, Sergio had No love of the true Place of Chrysler as a brand! it was always the Dr's Hotrod! a premium car over mainstream Dodge, and affordable Plymouth, Now maybe theirs hope for the Brand with this new CEO!

This article from Green car reports also said- "Chrysler's current lineup consists of essentially two vehicles: the 300 sedan and Pacifica minivan. The former is ancient, with some underpinning bits dating back to the 2000s. It last received a refresh for 2015. The Pacifica, reintroduced as a minivan, arrived in 2017 and received a mild refresh for 2021. Both of those models will continue to be tweaked as ( they will survive beyond 2025) to have some overlap as the EVs launch. Don't expect new or heavily refreshed versions to emerge, though the executive said investments will be made to continue improving the product in terms of design and technology"

That means the 300 will be slightly updated. they have to! they can not stop making the 300 in October of 2023. Reason #1!-they can not go down to 1 vehicle! a minivan for over 2 years! as the Bev wont come till 2025, that would be Brand suicide! almost like what FCA was doing to Chrysler! Stellantis seems to have a better vision than that! the 300 will likely get updated and live on till at least 2025 and replaced with a Bev sedan in 2026? 2027?Christine Feuell has said She wants Chrysler to still play in its offerings it has now and A Bev sedan is not out of the picture, since it can be made on the same line as the BEV Charger! As well as offering a Bev minivan, large Bev SUV, and the Airflow? or whatever name they give that Bev Cuv. I still love my ICE powered cars and will buy another one a (300?) maybe even a hybrid version? but I know change is a coming!

She is the first one in a while to even talk anything Chrysler! Timothy Kuniskis did double duty as the Dodge Ceo mainly! and Chrysler seemed an after thought to him! as he mostly never talked anything Chrysler! glad he was replaced with a separate leader! I like Him! but his mindset should be only Dodge as that brands leader! I do think FCA killed any of his Hopes for the Chrysler brand though! so I cant Blame Him for the lack of investment!

I own 2 300's a 2005 300C AND A 2017 300C LOVE THEM TO DEATH! they stayed away from the jet looks of Caddy and the crazy huge ninja, alien, Predator, movies look grilles of the Import transplants Companies sedans. I do hope they change the airflow front face somewhat! it needs to be Bold! instead of yawn! they need a homerun BEV! from day ONE! and as far as the 300 I hope the last one is strikingly bold! as I will buy the last year version of the updated one that again Green car reports said Christine Feuell hinted was coming. I'm just not a SUV fanatic! sorry!

Maybe we get the ear of Feuell, I’m sure she has some ideas here and do lunch. A half our with us would give her the love if not some ideas. My son had the same New Yorker and that tufted front seat was so comfortable.
Anytime I hear Imperial, I get goosebumps. That’s love and that is what we need here.

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