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Minivan Market Hits All-Time Sales High in 1999, Reports DaimlerChrysler

10 January 2000

Minivan Market Hits All-Time Sales High in 1999, Reports DaimlerChrysler

    AUBURN 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.