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2021 Chrysler Grand Caravan Available Exclusively for Canada

UN4GTBL

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Family Famous: 2021 Chrysler Grand Caravan Available Exclusively for Canada
July 16, 2020 , Windsor, Ontario - The Chrysler brand today announced the next chapter of its award-winning minivans, the 2021 Chrysler Grand Caravan, exclusively for Canada.

Canada’s favourite minivan lineup for more than three decades is expanding for the 2021 model year with the addition of the new-generation Chrysler Grand Caravan. It offers even more value for those who seek the quintessential family vehicle. Designed with budget-friendly family customers in mind, the Grand Caravan delivers an exceptional driving experience. Standard features and utilities include seven-passenger seating and the Uconnect 4 system with a seven-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility. Well-equipped to stand against the competition, the Grand Caravan is a no-compromise minivan at an unbeatable value.

“We’re incredibly proud to maintain the ‘Grand Caravan’ nameplate exclusively in the Canadian marketplace,” said David Buckingham, President and CEO, FCA Canada. “Particularly here in Canada, that name has become synonymous with affordable, safe and innovative family transportation that the 2021 Chrysler Grand Caravan builds upon.”

As the first company to introduce the minivan and through six generations of the vehicle, FCA Canada has innovated 115 minivan firsts. The company has sold more than 15 million minivans globally since 1983, twice as many as any other manufacturer over the past 37 years.

The 2021 Chrysler Grand Caravan is built at the Windsor Assembly Plant (Ont.) and goes on sale in the third quarter of 2020.

New for 2021:
  • Expanding the award-winning FCA Canada minivan lineup, the Chrysler Grand Caravan now offers two value-add models – Grand Caravan (base) and Grand Caravan SXT
  • The 2020 Chrysler Grand Caravan has a starting Canadian Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $37,995. The SXT model has an MSRP of $39,995.
  • Available options on the Grand Caravan and Grand Caravan SXT include SafetyTec Group and Stow ‘n Place roof rack with optional Cold Weather Group, Power Group, Trailer-Tow Group and single overhead DVD on the Grand Caravan SXT
Highlights:
  • The Chrysler Grand Caravan minivan features the next generation of the award-winning Pentastar V-6 gasoline engine, which delivers 287 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque, and is mated to a segment-first TorqueFlite nine-speed automatic transmission
  • With standard seven-passenger seating, Chrysler Grand Caravan delivers a smooth, exceptionally quiet and comfortable ride for the entire family
  • The Grand Caravan includes a standard second-row bench seat and third-row Stow ‘n Go fold-in-floor 60/40 split-folding bench seat. Eight-passenger seating and second-row Stow ‘n Go fold-in-floor seats with in-floor storage and Easy Tilt seats are available
  • Grand Caravan’s available SafetyTec Group includes ParkSense Rear Park Assist with Stop, Blind-spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path detection, Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking and Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking
  • The Chrysler Grand Caravan comes standard with a 3.5-inch digital information display and offers the Uconnect 4 system with a 7-inch touch screen, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
    • Apple CarPlay enables iPhone users to access Apple Maps, Messages, phone and Apple Music through Siri Voice Control or the Uconnect touch screen
    • Android Auto enables easy and safe access to Google Voice Search, Google Maps and Google Play Music via the Uconnect touch screen or steering wheel controls
    • Uconnect 4 system includes fast startup time, enhanced processing power, vivid imagery, high resolution and sharp graphics
  • Other standard conveniences include ParkView Rear Back-up Camera and hands-free communication with Bluetooth streaming audio
  • The Chrysler Grand Caravan comes standard with six speakers and Active Noise Cancellation
  • The 2021 Chrysler Grand Caravan is built at the Windsor Assembly Plant (Ontario)
Model Lineup
For 2021, the Chrysler Grand Caravan lineup consists of two models: Grand Caravan (base) and Grand Caravan SXT.

Grand Caravan (base)
The Grand Caravan serves as the entry-level model in the Grand Caravan lineup and includes an impressive list of high-value standard features, including:
  • 3.6-litre Pentastar V-6 engine delivering 287 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque
  • TorqueFlite nine-speed automatic transmission
  • Seven-passenger seating with second-row bench seat and third-row Stow ‘n Go 60/40 bench seat
  • Floor tray and console
  • Lower instrument panel cubby bin
  • Uconnect 4 system with a seven-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Hands-free communication with integrated voice command
  • Six-speaker audio system and media hub with USB and auxiliary input jacks
  • 3.5-inch digital vehicle information display cluster
  • 17-inch steel wheels with covers
  • Keyless Enter ‘n Go with proximity entry (driver door) and push-button start
  • Power windows with one-touch driver, power second-row windows
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • Active noise cancellation
  • Cruise control
  • Tilit/telescoping steering column
  • Safety features:
    • Electronic stability control
    • Front seat side, side-curtain and driver/front passenger knee blocker air bags
    • Tire Pressure Monitoring
    • Rain Brake Support and Ready Alert Braking
    • Hill-start Assist
    • Electric parking brake with safe hold
    • Sliding door alert warning
    • Heated exterior mirrors
    • ParkView Rear Back-up Camera
Grand Caravan SXT
The Grand Caravan SXT includes all the standard content found on the Grand Caravan, plus:
  • Seven-passenger seating with second-row removable bucket seats and third-row Stow ‘n Go 60/40 bench seat
  • Second-row in-floor storage bins
  • Power eight-way adjustable driver seat with four-way power lumbar adjust
  • 17-inch silver aluminum wheels
  • Tri-zone climate control with rear air-conditioning/heating
  • Power front windows with one-touch up and down
  • Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
  • Automatic headlamps
  • Front and rear interior LED reading lamps
  • Front and rear floor mats
  • Interior observation mirror
Available Exterior Colours:
  • Billet Metallic Coat
  • Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat
  • Bright White Clear Coat
  • Granite Crystal Metallic Coat
  • Ocean Blue Metallic Coat
  • Velvet Red Pearl Coat
Available Interior Colours:
  • Black (cloth)
  • Toffee (cloth)

Source: FCA US Media - Family Famous: 2021 Chrysler Grand Caravan Available Exclusively for Canada
 

UN4GTBL

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IMO: This is the laziest rebadge job I've ever seen

I'm glad that they kept the "Grand Caravan" name, but super disappointing that this is just a rebadge, and didn't get any styling changes to keep it a Dodge (racetrack taillights, front grille, etc), plus they changed the brand to Chrysler. If they had done this in the USA instead of bringing back the Voyager, they possibly could have kept it a Dodge, and actually done something with the outside.

I know names mean nothing to FCA or Stellantis, but what's next, the 2022 Chrysler Wrangler? :rolleyes: This isn't how we save the Chrysler brand lol
 

redriderbob

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TripleT

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If people are so attached to a NAME this is the perfect solution. They should spend a Penny for this other than a new badge. The product is Lightyears better then the out going Dinosaur.
 

UN4GTBL

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If people are so attached to a NAME this is the perfect solution. They should spend a Penny for this other than a new badge. The product is Lightyears better then the out going Dinosaur.

So a Chrysler Wrangler, Chrysler Charger or Chrysler Durango would be ok?

I thought name equity was something we liked? Caravan is one of the oldest names we have currently.
 

Ryan

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So a Chrysler Wrangler, Chrysler Charger or Chrysler Durango would be ok?

I thought name equity was something we liked? Caravan is one of the oldest names we have currently.
No one is saying those would be okay, but we've known for years now that the Grand Caravan and Journey would not be directly replaced by Dodge models, if at all. At least this way, the Grand Caravan name continues for people trading in their old vans.

Minivans are a small slice of the pie anyway and fit more with Chrysler's brand identity now than Dodge.
 

UN4GTBL

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No one is saying those would be okay, but we've known for years now that the Grand Caravan and Journey would not be directly replaced by Dodge models, if at all. At least this way, the Grand Caravan name continues for people trading in their old vans.

Minivans are a small slice of the pie anyway and fit more with Chrysler's brand identity now than Dodge.

In Canada, the Dodge Grand Caravan is the #2 seller for FCA Canada.

Ram pickups are #1, Grand Caravan is #2, Grand Cherokee is #3, Wrangler is #4, and Durango is #5
Put another way, the Ram pickups are 44%, Grand Caravan is 19%, Grand Cherokee is 9%, Wrangler is 8%, and Durango is 5% of FCA Canada sales.
The other 18 vehicles that FCA sells in Canada account for just 15% of their sales volume.

They stopped doing aggressive Journey pricing and updating it, so it's fallen to a point where it doesn't even matter anymore sadly.

I guess my issue is they understand that the "Grand Caravan" name is so important, but they are doing the absolute minimum to "keep" it, trying to force people into a Chrysler vehicle. Now when people try and do research for a 2021 Dodge Grand Caravan it won't exist anymore. Sure dodge.ca might redirect them to chrysler.ca, but will any of the other websites? The Caravan sells more in one month than the Sienna sells in 5 months, or more than the Odyssey sells in 12 months. Why do we have to make it so difficult for people to buy FCA vehicles? Most people still call Ram trucks Dodges, so that brand differentiation was a flop. Even during that silly time when they badged all the cars as Chryslers in Canada, they kept the Caravan as a Dodge thankfully.

I guess I just don't want to see the Grand Caravan become even more of a flop than what they have already done to it.
 

TripleT

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So a Chrysler Wrangler, Chrysler Charger or Chrysler Durango would be ok?

I thought name equity was something we liked? Caravan is one of the oldest names we have currently.

Caravan equity is not that valuable. Old doesn't make it valuable. The name is associated with cheap low margin vehicle.
 

UN4GTBL

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Caravan equity is not that valuable. Old doesn't make it valuable. The name is associated with cheap low margin vehicle.

If it's not valuable, then why did they bother to keep it in Canada?

The USA market is different, but in Canada, the Caravan is champ, and I would argue has good name equity.
 

TripleT

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If it's not valuable, then why did they bother to keep it in Canada?

The USA market is different, but in Canada, the Caravan is champ, and I would argue has good name equity.

Yes apparently it has a so much value that is worth a piece of chromed plastics. The value wasn't in the name it was that Canadian could get a dirt cheap cash cow vehicle on it very last breath. I am sure that sales will decrease but cash flow will likely go up.

One thing for sure people should have picked up by what going on elsewhere in the auto industry, Volume is zero indication of success.
 

UN4GTBL

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Yes apparently it has a so much value that is worth a piece of chromed plastics. The value wasn't in the name it was that Canadian could get a dirt cheap cash cow vehicle on it very last breath. I am sure that sales will decrease but cash flow will likely go up.

One thing for sure people should have picked up by what going on elsewhere in the auto industry, Volume is zero indication of success.

I don't know why there is so much hostility towards the Caravan name. It's the default family vehicle here, at least it was until they let the 5th gens sit for 10 years with no updates.

I understand the volume vs profitability discussion, and that is definitely valid. I realize that the 6th gen vans probably aren't going to be as profitable as the fully depreciated 5th gen vans.

Anyways, my concern is really about the lack of a continuous brand name + model name. "Dodge Caravan" has been around since 1984. I'm just worried that there will be a loss of customer awareness/etc with this name change. And we know that marketing isn't always FCA's strong point. I'm sure that part of the success behind a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic is that they've just worked on making the vehicle better over time, and kept the name. This also has the added benefit of being easy for people that don't know anything about cars to learn about them or to hear about them. Yes, I know that CUVs are taking over. Like I mentioned above, dodge.ca or dodge.com can show people the current FCA minivan on chrysler.ca or chrysler.com - but will AutoTrader, or other websites that people use to compare vehicles? That is my biggest concern.
 

TripleT

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I am not hostel, I just don't assign the value to it that some do. They did a mountain of research and outside Canada most of Q rating was negative.

Again just named two Cars that will be dropped in USA for lack of profitability. Just acknowledged it, the only value the Civic and Corolla provided was cash flow while the capacity was changed to something more profitable. (funny I said this about the Civic several years ago at Allpar and people lost their minds). Hmmmmmmmmm sounds familiar. FCA sucked every bit of profit out of the Caravan right up to point it was compliant. Good for them.

I really worried how little we think of people so simple that they can figure out what is the FCA minivan without adding piece of Chrome. The sub-brand that FCA has piloted are now going to be copied by Ford who was basically a single brand entity, with Bronco being their Jeep and Mustang being their Dodge.

Does seem that brand has some value in Canada and perhaps they will do the same in USA, but as can be seen the evidence is that it is worth very minimal effort and will not be used to sidetrack the sub-brand alignment that started 5 years ago.
 

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If I still needed a family bus those updates coming to the Dodge Durango sound perfect. The Pentastar V6 with eTorque should get better fuel economy than the outgoing Dodge Grand Caravan or the Journey in any form. I can't speak for Canada, but the Voyager/Pacifica model lineup offer a great lineup of minivans for the US market.

It would be nice if Dodge offered a small crossover to replace the Neon/Caliber/Dart, but that's another thread.
 

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If I still needed a family bus those updates coming to the Dodge Durango sound perfect. The Pentastar V6 with eTorque should get better fuel economy than the outgoing Dodge Grand Caravan or the Journey in any form. I can't speak for Canada, but the Voyager/Pacifica model lineup offer a great lineup of minivans for the US market.

It would be nice if Dodge offered a small crossover to replace the Neon/Caliber/Dart, but that's another thread.
The 2021 Durango does not have eTorque as it was rumored to have.
 

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I don’t believe fca has missed any sales of pickup trucks because buyers were befuddled by the brand change.
Also, it’s nothing new. I believe dodge Plymouth and Chrysler all had neons. Plymouth and Chrysler prowler.
What struck me as odd was, why bring back voyager name when grand caravan was current? Even more so now that Canada gets to keep the name. Would a Chrysler wrangler work? Yes. If they kept the Jeep brand and changed the “wrangler” name, I’d see major confusion. Of course, this is an uninformed opinion
 

TripleT

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:D :D Jeep people call them by there Code name not Wrangler :D JK or JL.... ZJ and XJ.... names are for driving to mall.
 

Sickboy

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:D:D Jeep people call them by there Code name not Wrangler :D JK or JL.... ZJ and XJ.... names are for driving to mall.
True!
mustang enthusiasts go by series as well as Mercedes and Porsche, and countless other marks as well
but what would be worse for sales? The new “Chrysler “ wrangler or the new Jeep “Insert two letter code here”?
bet you would loose all those mall drivers. Those shoppers pay the bills at fca
 

TripleT

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If I still needed a family bus those updates coming to the Dodge Durango sound perfect. The Pentastar V6 with eTorque should get better fuel economy than the outgoing Dodge Grand Caravan or the Journey in any form. I can't speak for Canada, but the Voyager/Pacifica model lineup offer a great lineup of minivans for the US market.

It would be nice if Dodge offered a small crossover to replace the Neon/Caliber/Dart, but that's another thread.

Unless you mean Small as in C to D, if you mean inexpensive. I wouldn't hold my breath. Compass already fills that role.
 

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