Minivan Market Hits All-Time Sales High in 1999, Reports DaimlerChrysler
10 January 2000
Minivan Market Hits All-Time Sales High in 1999, Reports DaimlerChryslerAUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 10 -- Despite past speculation, the minivan market remains strong. In fact, 1999 was a record sales year for the segment. For the 1999 model year, the segment peaked at an all-time high of 1.5 million minivan sales, which represents nearly eight percent of all new vehicles sold in North America. From 1993 through 1998, industry-wide minivan sales leveled off at their peak of 1.4 million sales per year in North America. "With credible, new competition entering the minivan market, more and more people, some of whom may have never considered buying a minivan, are learning about the benefits of minivan ownership," said Frank J. Ewasyshyn, Senior Vice President of Advance Manufacturing Engineering and General Manager of Minivan Operations, DaimlerChrysler. "With increased competition, we're also seeing more cross-shoppers in Chrysler and Dodge dealerships. But before customers spend anywhere between $18,000-$37,000 for a new minivan, they're checking out the leader and learning that we're still the one." Despite facing 15 competitive nameplates, DaimlerChrysler continues to command 40 percent of the minivan segment with sales of 607,000 units in model year 1999 -- nearly 200,000 units more than its nearest competitor, General Motors (408,000). DaimlerChrysler continues to outsell Ford nearly two-to-one and the Honda Odyssey by nine-to-one. With a variety of offerings, Chrysler and Dodge continue to dominate the segment. For minivans priced below $20,000, DaimlerChrysler has a 62 percent market share. For minivans priced between $20,000-30,000, the company has a 33 percent market share. And for minivans priced above $30,000, DaimlerChrysler has a 50 percent market share in the luxury minivan segment it created 10 years ago with the introduction of Chrysler Town & Country. Between Chrysler and Dodge, DaimlerChrysler sells over 600,000 minivans worldwide every year. DaimlerChrysler sells minivans in more than 70 countries throughout the world. Since introducing the minivan in November 1983, DaimlerChrysler has sold more than eight million minivans worldwide.