Modern Minivan Celebrates its 25th Anniversary

From Motortrend.com - The modern minivan is celebrating its silver anniversary this year. Yes, it was on November 2, 1983, that Lido A. Iacocca drove the first minivan off the assembly line in Windsor, Ontario. This radical concept -- a front-drive garageable van with highchair-like seats and a low, flat floor -- which he and Hal Sperlich had failed to sell Ford on some years before, was a serious gamble. Doubters pegged likely annual volume at 74,000 units. The reality has been more like a half million per year, with over 12 million sold in over 80 countries worldwide.

25th Anniversary Packages

Chrysler still owns 40% of the market here at home, and together the Chrysler minivan brands have outsold each of its ever-more-impressive competitors. This trend could continue, especially if you tally sales of the VW Routan that now rolls down the same assembly line. And amid the doom-and-gloom sales reporting, Chrysler's minivan sales are a bright spot, jumping a reported 6% year over year, which translates to an increase of 12 market-share points in this down market. The Windsor plant is currently running three shifts at capacity, cranking out 1426 vehicles per day.