FCA Announces Layoffs For Windsor As Grand Caravan Production Comes To An End:

[redriderbob]

FCA Announces Layoffs For Windsor As Grand Caravan Production Comes To An End:
Dodge's Legendary Minivan, Will End Production This Summer...




FCA Announces Layoffs For Windsor As Grand Caravan Production Comes To An End: - Mopar Insiders

 

[UN4GTBL]

I still wish they'd put a Dodge grille and racetrack tail lights on a Pacifica and offer it as a new Grand Caravan instead of the Voyager. Would do so much for name equity IMO.

 

[GasAxe]

I still wish they'd put a Dodge grille and racetrack tail lights on a Pacifica and offer it as a new Grand Caravan instead of the Voyager. Would do so much for name equity IMO.

As much as I hate seeing the Caravan name go defunct, the equity associated with it is questionable at this point. Now before I get burned at the stake for saying that, the equity in the Caravan name is for a commodity product that frankly isn’t profitable as an updated, let alone all new model. Base model minivans, even nicely appointed ones, are now overshadowed by premium models like the Pacifica. To remake the Voyager into a new Caravan is adding cost to a vehicle that only exists because of its basement price point. But I know you know that. Some other sites just can’t face that reality.

I think the best use for the Caravan name is to let it rest for a few years, then bring it back as a “replacement” for the current unibody Durango. Either have it be based off the Grand Cherokee as it works now, or stretch/pull/squash the next gen Charger into a 7 passenger crossover.

 

[Bili]

Nothing premium about Pacifica. And I'm not trying to criticize it but average transaction price of a new car in US is more than $35k for a while.

 

[TripleT]

I still wish they'd put a Dodge grille and racetrack tail lights on a Pacifica and offer it as a new Grand Caravan instead of the Voyager. Would do so much for name equity IMO.

In a declining market segment.... blah.... if you can't find the Minivan on CDJR lot your not that interested. Unless they drop a Hemi in it, then let it be a Chrysler. The days of chrome label engineering died with the Combined dealership.

 

[GasAxe]

Nothing premium about Pacifica. And I'm not trying to criticize it but average transaction price of a new car in US is more than $35k for a while.

I’d argue the Pacifica gives buyers a premium appointed vehicle at a very reasonable price. The segment just can’t command the transaction prices like it used too in its heyday particularly when competing against the crossover market. That’s why I think all the equity in the Caravan name is relatively low in value because the segment is now a modestly profitable niche that the Pacifica (and the commodity/fleet queen Voyager) can more than adequately cover.

 

[TripleT]

there is No brand equity with anyone not buying on price. A Caravan version would ask even less than the Voyager for margins. Let it ride happily into the sunset and use the capacity for something more profitable.