Dodge Drops Its Caravan After 28 Years

CONCORD, N.H. (10/18/2011)(readMedia)-- The pioneer of the minivan segment as we know it, the Dodge Grand Caravan will be retired in 2013 in an effort to streamline the number of models at Chrysler and Dodge dealerships. After going on sale in 1983 for the 1984 model year, the 28-year veteran has led Chrysler to more than 12 million minivan sales and ferried countless families to vacations and soccer practices.

Manufactured at Chrysler's Windsor, Ontario assembly plant, the Dodge Grand Caravan has introduced a number of family-friendly features to the American public, including integrated child safety seats, Easy Out Roller Seats and Stow 'n Go seating that eliminated the need to remove seats at all. The Grand Caravan's sister minivan, the popular Chrysler Town & Country, will continue as the automaker's sole minivan. According to Automotive News, a new crossover will replace the Dodge minivan.

"It's hard to imagine a Dodge dealership without a Grand Caravan, but with Chrysler and Dodge vehicles sold in the same place, having just one minivan to choose from will make it easier for consumers," said Brian Duval, general manager of Concord, New Hampshire Dodge dealership Bob Mariano Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram. "In the future, each brand under the Chrysler umbrella will have its own distinct lineup, which will mean more diverse options for car buyers."

Minivan fans still have plenty of time to get the Grand Caravan model they want, and recent improvements mean the current 2012 Grand Caravan is as well-equipped as it has ever been. Introduced for the 2011 model year, a 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine produces 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque while returning 25 mpg on the highway. That power makes the Dodge minivan a great fit for a family on the move, as it can tow up to 3,600 pounds while seating seven. With the two back rows folded flat, there are 143.8 cubic-feet of cargo space, giving the Grand Caravan the ability to swallow dorm rooms full of furniture.

Capability in the 2012 Grand Caravan doesn't come at the expense of safety either, with advanced multistage front airbags and supplemental side-curtain airbags for all three rows of passengers. Helping prevent accidents from ever happening in the first place are electronic stability control, a newly upgraded suspension and available Blind Spot Monitoring, which prompts visual and audio alerts when a vehicle is in the Grand Caravan's blind spots.

"New Hampshire families looking for a safe, capable family vehicle have always found it in the Grand Caravan," Duval noted. "Luckily, there's still plenty of time to buy the minivan that started it all, but when its time is up, the Chrysler Town & Country will carry on the automaker's proud minivan tradition just fine."

After reentering the market in 2008, the Dodge Avenger mid-size sedan is also slated to be discontinued in 2013 to make way for the new Dodge crossover. Its sibling, the Chrysler 200, will get a replacement at that time based on a Fiat platform, but may keep its name.

About Bob Mariano Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram:

New Hampshire Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler and Ram customers come to Bob Mariano Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram for unmatched attention to detail, whether they are searching for a new or used Jeep, financing a new Chrysler sedan, or looking for Dodge service and parts for a crossover, SUV or pickup truck. Their knowledgeable sales team can help you find the right car at the right price, while their parts and service specialists get you back on the road quickly and effectively. Put them to work for you by visiting www.bobmariano.com, calling 603-228-1345 or stopping by their dealership at 146 Manchester Street in Concord, N.H. You can also find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BobMarianoChrysler.