Stellantis Media Site 25 Years of Chrysler Minivans—a Timeline of Innovations                                                Contact:                                                             Ashley                         Kahael                                                                                                General Media                         Inquiries                                                                                                                                                                                   25 Years of Chrysler Minivans—a Timeline of Innovations                                                                                     The Minivan FormulaIn 1977, a small team of Chrysler designers and engineers began working on what they called the “magic wagon.” With the program formally approved in 1980, the “minivan,” as it would become, was as comfortable as any traditional American station wagon, but more spacious, versatile and economical, and it would fit into an average garage.A front-engine, front-wheel-drive design allowed the first minivan to have an interior with a flat floor. Ease of access and loading were also important, leading to a sliding side door, one-piece tailgate and fold-down/removable seats. Ultimately, the Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager debuted in 1983 as vehicles that friends and family conveniently stepped into, like a car, rather than climbing up and into a full-size van.1983-1984First minivan introduced to the market (the “T-115” first front-wheel-drive small van)November 2, 1983, Chrysler Chairman Lee A. Iacocca marks the production of the first minivan at Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario, CanadaFirst models include Dodge Caravan, Dodge Caravan C/V and Plymouth VoyagerTotal of 210,000 Caravan and Voyager vehicles are sold in the first full year of sales. With the break-even point of 155,000 annually, the minivan plays a major part in restoring Chrysler to profitabilityZinc Institute Award of Excellence for Corrosion Protection in 1984 is first award given to the minivan (Plymouth Voyager)1985Car and Driver selects Plymouth Voyager minivan as one of its “10 Best”Chrysler introduces a flexible seating option, the innovative “Convert-a-Bed” Travel Package in its minivansPlymouth introduces Voyager SE model termed “Magic Camper Package.” This model comes complete with 8x10-foot (2.4x3.0-meter) canvas tent1986Company introduces optional light-duty tow package for minivans1987One million minivans soldFirst minivan to offer selection of petrol engines- First minivan with V-6 engine, a 3.0-liter- New 2.5-liter four-cylinder powertrain replaces original 2.2-literLate 1987 model year, Chrysler is the first to offer a long-wheelbase option and expands the minivan market by introducing the Dodge Grand Caravan and Plymouth Grand VoyagerCompany begins exporting the Chrysler Voyager minivan for sale in EuropeEight-passenger seating option premieres for premium short- and long-wheelbase models1988Plymouth Voyager and Grand Voyager receive Automobile magazine’s “All-Star” award1989Plymouth Voyager receives Motor Trend’s “Top Ten New Car Buys” and Automobile magazine’s “All-Star” award1990Two million minivans soldCompany invents the luxury minivan market segment with introduction of Chrysler Town & CountryPlymouth Voyager receives Motor Trend’s “Top Ten New Car Buys” and Automobile magazine’s “All-Star” award1991Company introduces all-new second generation of America’s best-selling minivan (“AS” platform) with newly styled exterior and interior with several minivan-first features including standard driver-side air bag, child safety locks on sliding door, available four-wheel anti-lock brakes, available Quad Command seating and available all-wheel driveNew 3.3-liter petrol engine added to minivan lineupPlymouth Voyager receives numerous awards, including Motor Trend’s “Top Ten New Car Buys,” Automobile magazine’s “All-Star” and MotorWeek’s “Best Minivan”1992Three million minivans soldCompany is first to offer integrated child safety seatsEuropean production of Chrysler’s short- and long-wheelbase minivans begins in a joint venture with Steyr-Daimler-Puch (Eurostar) in Graz, Austria1993Four million minivans soldCompany celebrates 10th Anniversary of the Minivan with Chrysler and Dodge anniversary models introduced to mark the milestoneChrysler leaps ahead with the first all-electric minivan – TEVan – and produces them on the same production line as gasoline-powered minivans at the Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada. Approximately 56 TEVans are produced for fleet use onlyChrysler Voyager gains extra appeal for European buyers with an economical turbo-diesel version sold exclusively in markets outside North America. Chrysler Voyager and Grand Voyager capture 23 percent of the European minivan marketChrysler expands minivan sales into the Middle East, South America and Pacific marketsAfter 10 years, Chrysler minivans have the highest U.S. loyalty rating of any vehicle on the road1994Chrysler improves on safety with minivan-first passenger-side air bags and dynamic side-impact protectionCompany produces first minivans to meet the 1997 California Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) certificationOzone-friendly air conditioning refrigerant, R134A, is introduced on all Company minivansDodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager receive new sports suspension packagePowertrain upgrades include a new 3.8-liter petrol engine and a 3.3-liter Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) alternative fuel engine1995Five million minivans soldThe 100,000th Chrysler Voyager is manufactured at Eurostar in Graz, Austria, on March 31, 19951996Company introduces first-ever cab-forward third-generation minivans (“NS” platform), with more than a dozen minivan-first features including 16-inch wheels and tires for enhanced performance, Easy-Out Roller Seats®, adjustable cup holders, adjustable reclining rear child seat with molded seat cushion and dual-action rear drum brakesChrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan and Plymouth Grand Voyager expand their cargo capabilities with a U.S. minivan-first driver-side sliding door and are the first minivans capable of transporting 4x8-foot (1.2x2.4-meter) material without removing second- and third-row seatsPlymouth Voyager and Grand Voyager win “North American Car of the Year” at the 1996 North American International Auto ShowDodge Caravan earns Motor Trend’s “Car of the Year” award, a first for the minivan categoryChrysler, Dodge and Plymouth minivans receive numerous awards, including Car and Driver’s “Ten Best,” Automobile magazine’s “All-Star” and AutoWeek’s “North American Car of the Year”Chrysler debuts an all-electric minivan concept called EPIC (Electric Powered Interurban Commuter Vehicle) at the North American International Auto ShowNew 2.4-liter four-cylinder dual-overhead cam engine replaces 2.5-liter unit1997Six million minivans soldCompany manufactures EPIC, an all-electric minivan on the “NS” platform, with advanced lead acid batteries. EPIC is more powerful than the TEVan and features a range of 120 miles (193 kilometers). EPICs are manufactured and sold exclusively to government and utility fleetsThe Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS) is available only on Chrysler minivans, and traction control becomes an available optionExpanding internationally, the first right-hand-drive minivans are manufactured at Eurostar in Graz, AustriaSales of the right-hand-drive Chrysler Voyager start in March—over 2,000 are sold in its first month of sales in the UK1998Seven million minivans soldCompany celebrates 15th Anniversary of the MinivanChrysler takes the luxury minivan to new heights by introducing the 1999 Chrysler Town & Country Limited. New features include chromed wheels and door handles, body-color luggage rack, winged badge on liftgate, a rear seat with center armrest, upgraded seating material, carpeting and steering-wheel audio controlsChrysler minivans are first to offer Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV) availability and rear seatback-mounted grocery bag hooksChrysler’s electric-powered minivan, EPIC, improves with higher performing nickel metal-hydride batteries1999Eight million minivans soldChrysler and Dodge minivans are first to offer an Auto Stick transaxle and 17-inch wheels and tires for enhanced performance2000Setting a new world record for fuel economy, a Chrysler Voyager SE fitted with a 2.5-liter common-rail turbo-diesel (CRD) engine travels 1,724 kilometers (1,077 miles) on a single tankChrysler minivans are the first to offer a 6.4-inch (16.2-centimeter) LCD screen and wireless headphones for in-vehicle entertainmentThe 3.8-liter engine with all-wheel drive meets Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards in Northeast Trading Region states2001Nine millionth minivan is produced at Eurostar in Graz, AustriaCompany introduces fourth generation of the minivan (“RS” platform), described by Road & Track magazine as “the most innovative vehicle to come out of Detroit for decades.” New generation of minivans have even more minivan-first features including power liftgate, dual power-sliding doors, power-sliding door obstacle detection, removable powered center console, pop-up rear cargo organizer, three-zone automatic temperature control and split rear 50/50 Easy-Out Roller SeatsA newly revised 3.8-liter six-cylinder produces almost 50 more horsepower than the previous generation’s engine – Chrysler minivans are the first to offer more than 210 horsepowerMotorWeek awards Chrysler minivans “Best Minivan” awardDodge Caravan is the best-selling vehicle in Canada2002e-minivan models introduced for customers price-shopping for minivans on the Internet2003Ten million minivans soldCompany celebrates 20th Anniversary of the Minivan with Chrysler and Dodge anniversary models introduced to mark the milestone2004Company introduces 2005 model-year minivan with more minivan-first features including the innovative Stow ‘n Go® seating and storage systemFourth generation receives exterior and interior refreshFactory-installed SIRIUS Satellite Radio is available for U.S. customersThree-row side-curtain air bags and Occupant Classification System (OCS) are availableChrysler minivans begin to offer what is now known as uconnect phone with Bluetooth wireless technology, among many other new and unique featuresChrysler Grand Voyager launches sales of the Chrysler brand in China200511 million minivans soldChrysler and Dodge minivans continue to garner industry accolades with 35 more awards2006Chrysler Voyager and Grand Voyager are consistently one of the Company’s top three best-selling vehicles outside North AmericaDVD changer is updated to play any CD or DVD—including MP3, DVD audio, DVD-R and DVD-RW200712 million minivans soldCompany introduces 2008 model-year fifth-generation long-wheelbase minivan (“RT” platform), with distinct brand identity for both Chrysler and Dodge, along with 35 new or improved features over the previous generationFifth-generation minivan-first features include a removable two-part sliding front console with power outlet, umbrella holder, dual DVD entertainment system that can play different media simultaneously, dual A/V jacks, 115-volt inverter and 12-volt power outlet in C-pillar, ambient halo light package with movable LED pinpoint lighting, integrated child booster seat, removable and rechargeable LED flashlight and available first- and second-row heated seats in cloth or leatherThe “family room on wheels” concept is taken to a new level with the minivan-first Swivel ‘n Go™ seating systemFirst minivan to offer Stain Repel seat fabricFirst minivan in North America to offer a six-speed automatic transaxleDodge Caravan is first Dodge brand vehicle to be built and sold in China2008Company celebrates 25 Years of the Minivan—a quarter-century of innovation and leadership in the segment that Chrysler createdUnique 25th Anniversary Edition models for Chrysler and Dodge are introduced to mark the milestoneFour more minivan-first features are introduced for the 2009 model-year minivans including Blind Spot Monitoring System, Rear Cross Path System, SmartBeam® headlamps and swiveling third-row entertainment monitorChrysler and Dodge minivans with new 4.0-liter fuel economy optimization offer unsurpassed fuel economy, without sacrificing power (25 highway mpg U.S.)