Hot minivans drive Christmas bonus in Windsor

High demand for minivans may make for a merrier Christmas in Windsor, Ontario this year as Chrysler has just announced it wants to keep production of its minivans moving right through the Christmas period.

Normally, there is a one-week shutdown at the Windsor assembly plant, which produces the Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town and Country and Volkswagen Routan.

The company plans to run 12-hour days the week of December 27, and the union doubts Chrysler will have trouble finding workers ready to cover the shifts. "Those workers would be paid their holiday pay plus double time for being at work," said Rick Laporte, president of CAW Local 444, which represents the workers.

"So much for the demise of the minivan," says automotive consultant, Dennis DesRosiers. "Dodge Caravan sales are up 49.1 per cent. Good value for money still attracts a lot of consumers even in segments that are somewhat out of fashion. Especially in Canada where we as a nation are much less oriented to running with the latest "hot" segment like they do in the U.S. Tried and true works in Canada and Caravan is a good example of this."

Furthermore, Chrysler will start production of its new model minivans at the Windsor assembly plant later this fall. It already has plans to build an additional 60,000 of the vehicles to meet expected demand.

[Source: CBC.ca]

Comments

[Paul]

great news for the folks in Windsor. Hope the new model sells even better.

[ME]

Its like everything else it goes in cycles, now people are starting to replace their old units with new ones, why not with the incentives, low rates you would be stupid not to, and its a good thing for the embattled auto industry, and its also a sign that people are wanting to spend, I know I did with a new car this fall, why not they are wanting to move them so you can make a great deal, almost NAME YOUR PRICE ITS YOURS kind of thing.

[mpsrent]

Chrysler minivans still provide good value for Canadian families that need the space and creature comforts that minivans provide. As Canadians tend to be value concious buyers, I'm not surprised that these vans remain a hit.