July 31, 2008
The above cell phone image of a JDM Honda Odyssey was spotted in Palos Verdes, CA recently. The car was wearing "3421" manufacturer license plates, which apparently Honda uses.
So what's going on here? Might Honda be considering bringing over their smaller more wagon-like home-market Odyssey.
June 2, 2008
Hey Insiders,
Your votes have been tallied. See if your fellow readers agreed with your picks.
And the winners are...
Read the IL Readers' Most Wanted Results on Inside Line...
May 21, 2008
A JDM Subaru Exiga with the optional aero kit was caught mostly unmasked. Note the huge glass roof. Link is here.
UPDATE:
Latest word that I've gotten is that the Exiga is not slated to come Stateside, nor is it merely a slightly different version of the next Outback...
May 20, 2008
Toyota may have a solution to the tanking US truck and SUV market: Export them.
According to Motor Authority (via Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun), Toyota will export the Sequoia, Sienna and [possibly] other larger US-built vehicles to other emerging markets where the demand for such vehicles is high. The Sequoia will be headed to the Middle East, and the Sienna to China and other markets. Ya gotta wonder if the Tundra is also under consideration for export...
More European Fords are coming. The already announced Fiesta, Focus and Transit Connect will be followed by the Kuga SUV (pictured) and C-Max MPV according to Motor Authority. The Fiesta should arrive in 2010, and the Focus in 2011, while the Kuga and C-Max are expected around 2011 or 2012.
Full story here...
May 16, 2008
The Chrysler-sourced VW Routan minivan will start $24,700 for the "S" model. The mid-range "SE" stickers at $29,600, and the range-topping "SEL" starts at $33,200. As an added incentive VW is partnering with Upromise, the country's largest private source of college funding, to offer Routan customers $1500 towards their kid's college education.
"We know parents are concerned about saving for their kid’s future...
April 24, 2008
In Japan Honda has announced a true "mini" minivan called the Freed. It's based on the Honda Fit, and will seat 5, 7, or 8 people depending on the configuration. It's powered by a 118 hp 1.5L engine, hooked up to a CVT.
Is this something Honda should consider selling this over here?
Here is a translated version of the French-speaking site Le Blog Auto that reported it, so bear in mind that there are a few goofy phrases in it...
April 3, 2008
We found ourselves minivanless, so we added a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan to our long-term fleet.
We opted for the SXT version with the 251-horsepower 4.0 SOHC V6.
It's loaded with goodies like Swivel 'n Go seating, second/third-row removable/stowable table, three-zone A/C, and much, much more including Inferno Red paint.
Read the Introduction of the Dodge Grand Caravan on Inside Line...
March 21, 2008
The Ford Transit Connect Taxi is one of Ford's more recent "Better Ideas." No, make that one of its "Best" ideas, as this vehicle is perfectly suited to the chore of carting people around urban areas. The 2.0-liter gas engine gets 19 mpg, which is roughly 30 percent better than the Crown Vics that are the staple of most taxi fleets. Better still, it has a 90 percent improvement in emissions over most current taxis. I would also hope it's considering a clean diesel option for this vehicle...
March 10, 2008
We've done something a little unorthodox. Instead of comparing direct competitors, we put different types of vehicles together to find the best family car...
March 5, 2008
If you sold a subcompact minivan called the Nemo Combi, you'd simply have to build a concept car with a tie-in to the five-year-old animated film, Finding Nemo, would you not? The Citroën Nemo Concetto (concetto just means "concept") is all done up to look a clownfish. However, due to the fact that it's a van, it looks more like a flamboyant Geek Squad vehicle than Nemo himself.
This is what happens when you force excessive amounts of cuteness into a class of car that already has that angle covered. Still, the anemones growing out of the dash tug at the heartstrings.
February 6, 2008
Volkswagen of America's President and CEO Stefan Jacoby announced that the Windy City was an appropriate place for the 2009 VW Routan debut as there is a "fresh wind" at VW. Perhaps "winds of change" may have been a more appropriate translation.
Either way, with "Come and Get Your Love" playing in the background, Jacoby and Volkswagen R&D Chief Ulrich Hackenburg posed happily for a photo op with their, er, Chrysler's baby, the Routan minivan.
We say Chrysler's baby, because underneath its shiny VW sheet metal, the Routan is really a Dodge Caravan without the benefit of Chrysler's handy Stow 'n Go seat option...
February 5, 2008
Well, here you have it folks: VW's Town and Country, er, Grand Caravan, er, Routan...
Power comes from a 197 hp 3.8L V6 or a 251 hp 4.0 V6. The tranny is a 6-speed automatic. Biggest selling point?..
January 17, 2008
VW has announced that their new Routan minivan will debut at the Chicago Auto Show.
Never heard of a "Routan," you say? Well, it's a byproduct of a VW-Chrysler get together. Chrysler's done the heavy lifting here, with VW sprinkling some people's car fairy dust upon it...
November 23, 2007
The iconic VW Transporter is 60 years old.
Some historical Transporter tidbits:
1947: First design sketch of the rear-engined Transporter
produced
1950: Production of the first generation, 'split-screen' Transporter started in Wolfsburg for the 1950 model year with an air-cooled, 1131 cc engine developing 25 PS borrowed from the Volkswagen Beetle. By comparison, today's Transporter has a choice of four TDI PD diesel engines from 1.9-litres to 2.5-litres, producing from 84 PS to 174 PS
1955: Volkswagen imported the first Transporter to the UK
1956: Transporter production moved to a new Volkswagen factory in Hanover.
1967: The second generation, 'bay window' Transporter was introduced. Over three million were made during 12 years of production. It's still produced to this day in Mexico
1979: The third generation Transporter was introduced
1982: After 32 years and with production totalling over five million vehicles, the Transporter switched from air-cooled to water-cooled engines - still rear-mounted
1990: The fourth generation Transporter was introduced and became the first to have the engine at the front to leave a completely flat load area
2003: The current, fifth generation Transporter made its debut
2007: Rock legends, The Who, performed live at an official event to celebrate 60 years of Volkswagen vans held in Hanover, Germany, which attracted 71,000 visitors with an amazing selection of over 5,000 Transporter vans
I would love to see modern Transporter-like trucks here once again...
October 30, 2007
This gem was sitting quite unnoticed in the Mopar booth of the SEMA Show. The 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan R/T isn't a production model, but it should be.
Hardware includes a 260-hp 4.0-liter V6 with ram induction and dual exhaust, a lowered sport tuned suspension and 20-inch alloy wheels and Goodyear tires. Inside we touched the suede headliner and the performance seats with suede inserts and red stitching. Exterior mods include custom front and rear fascias, a custom rear spoiler, a new hood with a functional hood scoop and LED driving lights...
October 26, 2007
Yet still more bad news from the Toyota camp: Now we're learning that as many as 592,100 Sienna minivans may have problems with their front doors. It affects 2005 – 2006 models.
Toyota spokesman John McCandless tells Inside Line in an e-mail message: "We are notifying owners of 2004-'06 Siennas of a warranty enhancement in the event they encounter a problem with the front door check mounting panel indicated by a popping noise when the driver or passenger front door is opened or closed. The panel's spot welds may have become detached." This could cause a problem with the door opening and closing...
October 24, 2007
You can't really make a minivan cool-looking, but at least Toyota gives it a shot with its domestic market models. Think this would sell in the U.S.? Yeah, probably not. -- Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor Inside Line
Ikuo Mori, president and CEO of Fuji Heavy Industries, gave only passing mention to the Subaru Exiga at the company's Tokyo press conference. He never used the word "minivan," but that's exactly what the Exiga (or whatever name FHI settles on) will be when the production version goes on sale.
It should do well in a market where, based on our extensive observation during long bus rides to and from Makuhari Messe, buyers prefer hinged rear doors instead of sliders, and four-cylinder engines instead of thirsty sixes, while insisting upon a minimum of one entertainment screen per row of seating. -- Erin Riches, Senior Content Editor
October 23, 2007
What would a Honda press conference be without an Asimo appearance? Well, for one, it would be shorter, since they wouldn’t spend the first five minutes showing off his latest moves. Today Asimo displayed his newfound ability to run. Actually, it’s more like a fast awkward walk, but it’s still impressive for a bucket of bolts...
September 25, 2007
Chrysler has just launched an ad campaign on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" for its 2008 Chrysler Town & Country minivan.
It will feature Nick's Jimmy Neutron character at events like the Nickelodeon Slime Across America tour and in print ads. There's also a contest in which consumers can upload family photos to a Town & Country Web site for prizes like an all-expenses-paid family trip to the Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn in Orlando, Fla., a new kid-friendly hotel and resort.
The TV aspect will feature five 30-second spots on appointment-viewing shows like "Grey's Anatomy," "Men in Trees," "Desperate Housewives," "Ugly Betty" and "60 Minutes." The campaign will also includes two 30-second spots for African-American and Hispanic markets...
September 4, 2007
Last time we ran a minivan comparison test, the Honda Odyssey took top honors. Now, Dodge has put out a new and improved Grand Caravan packed with useful features.
Is it enough to dethrone the minivan king?..
August 29, 2007
We bid a fond farewell to our long-term Kia Sedona EX after 25,000 miles and a year of hard labor.
Boy, did we use that car in all of its seating configurations. It helped us move, picked up furniture we were too cheap to have delivered, carted around kids, withstood cookie crumbs and soda spills.
The Sedona was a very practical vehicle and will be missed...
August 13, 2007
So says our own Michelle Krebs of AutoObserver: "Frankly, sliding doors are what give minivans open access, but that's what makes them uncool. Practical, yes, but uncool."
She's right. Sliding doors on vehicles are a great idea, but unfortunately they've become a negative symbol of minivandom. Wes Brown, president of the Los Angeles-based automotive marketing firm Iceology, adds that the sliding door has come to epitomize the boring realities of owning a minivan. That's not the case when compared with the vibrant and fun images of go-anywhere SUVs and crossovers that use normal doors...
August 3, 2007
Dodge has stepped up their minivans by adding more power, more entertainment for the kids and creative seating.
Will it be enough to outclass the market leaders like Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna?
Read the Minivan First Drive on the Inside Line.
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
July 12, 2007
Good news for minivan shoppers, as Chrysler is dropping the price of their all-new '08 minivans—a lot!
The Dodge Caravan SE will start at $22,470, while the upmarket SXT model will cost $27,535. Those prices are down $1,950 and $970 from current comparable models. The Chrysler Town & Country LX will be $23,190, which is $3,585 lower, or 13 percent. The Touring version will cost $28,430, and the Limited will be priced at $36,400, or $850 and $935 less than their predecessors...
July 11, 2007
According to MotorAuthority, Honda's much anticipated V6 diesel is likely to show up first on their Odyssey minivan in 2010. After that expect to see it on both the Pilot and Ridgeline. No word as to whether the V6 diesel will be offered on the Accord, although a 4-cylinder diesel will be offered on that model.
The engine is believed to be a 3.5L unit, and is expected to be 30% more fuel efficient that an equivalent gas models...
July 5, 2007
Honda is giving the Odyssey a slight nip-and-tuck for 2008. There's a new grille, hood, front bumper and revised taillights. No word yet as to whether there have been any mechanical or interior upgrades.
Here's Inside Line's take: Spy Photos: 2008 Honda Odyssey
More here at Temple of VTEC...
July 3, 2007
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said that in recent tests, that many SUVs, pickups and minivans do poorly in protecting occupants in rear-end collisions. Here's the quick breakdown of the good and bad performers:
SUVs
Good: Acura MDX and RDX; Lincoln MKX, Ford Edge and Ford Freestyle; Honda CR-V, Element and Pilot; Hyundai Santa Fe; Jeep Grand Cherokee; Kia Sorento; Land Rover LR3; Mercedes M Class; Mitsubishi Outlander; Subaru B9 Tribeca and Forester, and Volvo XC90
Bad: BMW X3 and X5; Buick Rainier, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy and Isuzu Ascender; Cadillac SRX; Chrysler Pacifica; Dodge Nitro; Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer; Mitsubishi Endeavor; Hummer H3; Hyundai Tucson; Jeep Liberty; Kia Sportage; Lexus GX470 and RX; Nissan Xterra; Saab 9-7X; Suzuki XL7; Toyota 4Runner and Highlander
Pickups
Good: Toyota Tundra
Bad: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Classic and the GMC Sierra 1500 Classic; Dodge Ram 1500; Ford Ranger and Mazda B Series; Nissan Frontier and certain versions of Ford F-150, Dodge Dakota and Mitsubishi Raider
Minivans:
Good: Ford Freestar, Hyundai Entourage and the Kia Sedona
Bad: Buick Terraza, Chevrolet Uplander and Saturn Relay; some versions of the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan; and the Toyota Sienna
Full story here. Related story here.
May 10, 2007
Interesting editorial here suggesting that declining minivan van sales are largely due to its image of being a "mom-mobile," or as a "soccer-mom" car.
I think there's some truth here. If you look at the latest minivans, they all taken on a decidedly more butch look. This is especially true of the GM minivans as well as the new Honda Odyssey...
April 19, 2007
Found this over at thehollywoodextra.com. They've posted a number of future Subie illustrations in past, and while they've not been 100 percent accurate, they do seem to have some basis in reality. By that I mean they've generally been "close, but no cigar." Most likely they've been based on early design studies. I would assume that this is just another in that series...
April 4, 2007
At the unveiling of the Ford Flex seven-passenger people mover, Ford's head of the Americas Mark Fields tore off his shirt, tie and coat (they were apparently fastened only by Velcro at the seams) to reveal his rippled, waxed, oiled and bronzed torso. Grunting loudly, Fields leaned forward in a crab like pose. Pointing at the Flex he screamed, veins bulging, "Crossover this, you, you little...girls!"
Possibly none of that happened--except the reveal of the worst-kept secret at the New York show. And Fields might well have a waxed torso, but we have no confirmation of this...
March 26, 2007
What are your favorite cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans for the model year 2007?
It's the time of year when you get to make your opinion known. Take our Consumers' Most Wanted survey and vote for your favorites, including your choice for Most Significant Vehicle of the year.
You can take the complete survey or you can vote in the individual categories that interest you.
Vote now...
March 22, 2007
According to our compadres over at Autoblog, the production version of Ford Fairlane concept will be named "Flex."
Full story here.
Updated news here.
January 7, 2007
As everyone waited for the first press conference of the day at Cobo, I wondered if DaimlerChrysler was sending the right message about its redesigned 2008 minivans. An oversized "bag" of Wonder Bread declared the Dodge Grand Caravan "vantastic," while a "Land O' Vans" butter box put forth the Chrysler T&C as a "sweet family vehicle." Wonder Bread? Butter? Aren't they at least partly responsible for Americans being overweight and sickly?
Ah, but that's why Chrysler Group vice president and CEO, Tom LaSorda, shed his jacket, donned an apron and beckoned chef, Bobby Flay, of Food Network semi-fame, to cook up a couple new delectables to represent the redesigned minis. For the "bold and powerful" Dodge, it was spice-rubbed pork tenderloin with habanero-infused mango salsa. For the "smooth and sophisticated" Chrysler, it was a chocolate layer cake coated in ganache.
January 4, 2007
Official photos of Chrysler's new minivans are out and the pictures don't look half bad. When they go on sale next fall, the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country and the 2008 Dodge Caravan will be the only domestic entries in the minivan segment. It may be a declining category, but Chrysler still sold more than 350,000 minivans last year. More photos and info to come in our 2007 Detroit auto show coverage.
January 3, 2007
Industry Insider: 01/03/07And then there was one domestic auto brand selling a traditional minivan --- Chrysler.
Ford announced the end of the line for the Ford Freestar has arrived. The automaker will not restart minivan production at its Oakville, Ontario, plant from the holiday shutdown. Ford had planned to build the Freestar through the end of the 2007 model year...
November 30, 2006
We saw the shortened Kia Sedona earlier this year in Paris, and so were not surprised to see it here on the Kia stand here at the LA Auto Show.
While the wheelbase is just over 5 inches shorter, overall length shrinks by over 12 inches due to additional trimming to the rear overhang.
Unlike the one we saw in Paris, the shorty Sedona shown in LA had center-row captain's chairs and 7-passenger seating capacity. Because of the all the shortening, the third-row seat no longer folds into the floor. It goes on sale in January, alongside the current Sedona, which we now have to refer to as the long wheelbase version. - Dan Edmunds
November 27, 2006