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Chrysler minivans

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2140434

Chrysler minivans

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Chrysler minivans

The Chrysler minivans are a series of minivans that have been produced and marketed by the American automaker Chrysler since the 1984 model year. Currently in its sixth generation, the model line is sold worldwide, primarily in North America and Europe. Introduced as the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager, the Chrysler minivans have been marketed under various nameplates across the Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge, and Ram brands. Through the use of rebadging, the model line has also been marketed under the Lancia and Volkswagen brands.

The introduction of the Chrysler minivans popularized the body styles by automakers in North America, leading to the introduction of competitive vehicles such as the Chevrolet Astro/GMC Safari, Ford Aerostar, Toyota Previa, and Mazda MPV. During the 1990s, the popularity of the model line led to its form factor being closely adopted by many of its competitors, including the Ford Windstar/Freestar, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, and Nissan Quest.

Since 1983, Chrysler has manufactured minivans at its Windsor Assembly facility (Windsor, Ontario, Canada). From 1987 to 2007, the company supplemented production in North America with its Saint Louis Assembly facility (Fenton, Missouri). For the European market, exports were primarily augmented by the Eurostar joint-venture factory in Graz, Austria, from 1992 through 2002. The highest-selling line of minivans worldwide, Chrysler produced the 15 millionth example of the model line in 2019.

The first-generation Chrysler minivans were released in November 1983 as 1984 models. The Dodge Caravan was an all-new nameplate, with the Plymouth Voyager adopted from its previous full-size van line. The model lines were built on the front-wheel drive Chrysler S platform. To streamline production and development costs, the S platform, although a distinct design, shared powertrain commonality with the K platform and its variants. Additionally, some interior components were also shared with other Chrysler vehicles.

For the 1987 model year, Chrysler introduced the extended-length Dodge Grand Caravan and Plymouth Grand Voyager, which used a long-wheelbase version of the S platform chassis. For 1988, the Chrysler Voyager was introduced for European export. Alongside the passenger van, the model line was sold by Dodge as a cargo van; from 1984 to 1988, it was known as the Dodge Mini Ram Van, and from 1989 to 1990, it was referred to as the Dodge (Grand) Caravan C/V.

Chrysler added a minivan to its namesake brand early in 1990, shifting the Chrysler Town & Country nameplate from its traditional station wagon usage to a minivan. Sold exclusively in a long-wheelbase version, the Town & Country became the highest-trim Chrysler minivan.

The second-generation Chrysler minivans were released for the 1991 model year, returning the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager, their extended-wheelbase "Grand" versions, and the Chrysler Town & Country. The minivans were introduced to Mexico, with Chrysler using the Chrysler Grand Voyager/Grand Caravan nameplate.

Designated the Chrysler AS platform (as Chrysler switched to a two-letter platform nomenclature), the second-generation minivans underwent a substantial revision of the body (sharing only the front door and sliding door stampings) and chassis (the front suspension was retuned and the rear suspension was redesigned entirely); powertrain commonality shifted from the K-car sedans towards its larger derivatives. In a first for the segment, the model line was fitted with a standard driver-side airbag (1991) and optional integrated rear child safety seats (1992). Following its introduction in its Ford and GM competitors, Chrysler introduced an all-wheel drive system as an option for 1991.

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