In 1983, Lee Iacocca, then chairman of Chrysler, unleashed the minivan on the auto market when he introduced the new breed of garageable front-wheel drive wagons and vans – the 1984 Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager and Mini Ram Van.
He said: “I predict the Voyager and Caravan will be to the ‘80s what the Mustang was to the ‘60s – vehicles that create extraordinary excitement and buyer interest and force other manufacturers to come up with copycat versions.”
This year, as the “vehicle that saved Chrysler” marks 30 years on the market, the Plymouth brand is gone and the number of competitors in the mini van market has shrunk but the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country are going strong.
More than 13 million of the vehicles have been sold since 1983 and to celebrate the event, new 30th Anniversary Editions are being introduced.