Chrysler has produced 15 million MPVs since 1983
- The differentiation between a MPV and an SUV is quite difficult to define, because it encompasses several differences which, taken one by one, do not allow the two categories of vehicles to be differentiated, but which taken together do. The differentiation of sedan vs MPV and MPV vs SUV is in reality a marketing concept.
- The former Chrysler group, now part of the Stellantis consortium, was the true pioneer of MPVs in 1983, a few months before the Renault Espace based on a Matra project which had been refused by the management of the PSA Peugeot-Citroën group.Today, Chrysler is one of the few non-Asian carmakers to still believe in this type of family vehicle which has practically disappeared from the North American and European markets due to the massive arrival of SUVs. These SUVs seem to better meet the demand of customers on these markets.
- Since 2016, Chrysler has continued to market the Pacifica MPV, which is the direct heir of the old Plymouth Voyager, Chrysler Voyager and Dodge Caravan MPVs marketed between 1983 and 2020. Since 1983, Chrysler has produced 15 million MPVs, making it the largest MPV producer in history.
- The MPV market developed in the United States from the models marketed by Chrysler, from the mid-1980s, helped by the new models of Ford and GM. The MPV market represented up to 1.3 million units in this region during the best years, before collapsing in the 2010s, due to the massive arrival of SUVs. In 2023, only 300,000 MPVs were sold in the USA. In Europe (EU + UK + EFTA), the MPV market represented up to 2.3 million units in 2006 (thanks to the launch of compact MPVs like the Renault Scénic) before collapsing with the arrival of SUV. In 2023, only 200,000 MPVs were sold in Europe.