Chrysler Minivans For Detroit To Feature Numerous Changes

Chrysler has innovations and design changes in store for its next generation of minivans, according to a recent Automotive News report. After the world debut of the vehicles at the upcoming 2007 Detroit show, production of the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan and Dodge Grand Caravan will begin in the summer, with the vehicles arriving in showrooms by fall.

According to the report, changes to the next-generation minivans include a move to more boxy styling to increase interior space as well as more styling diffference between the Town & Country and its Caravan siblings (an outgoing 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan is pictured above). The front end of the Caravan and Grand Caravan will more closely resemble the rest of Dodge's lineup, while that of the Town & Country will resemble the Chrysler Sebring. There are also interior surprises in store.

Minivans are a key part of the struggling automaker's lineup. Although buoyed by fleet sales and large incentives, Chrysler's minivans continue to hold on to the top of the segment despite increasingly stiff competition from Asian automakers. Innovations like Stow 'n Go seating along with quality improvements will be imporant if Chrysler wants to hold on to its perch. The competition has already caused GM and Ford to throw in the towel, with both set to discontinue their minivans in a few years in favor of more crossover-style vehicles.

Will the changes that Chrysler made to the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Caravan, and Dodge Grand Caravan be enough, or will it be another case of "too little too late?" Come back to MotorTrend.com to find out the answer, and all of the latest news from the Detroit show as it happens during the show press days, Jan. 7-9, 2007.