Chrysler Pacifica takes second spot but still lags some way behind “rental special” Dodge Grand Caravan
The Minivan segment in the US continued its decline in the second quarter of 2017, and so far has seen total sales decline by 12.9% in 2017 to a total 264,237. However, with the Chrysler Pacifica hitting its stride, and the new Honda Odyssey about to go on sale, things may look up for the segment in the second half of the year.
Highlights for the first half of 2017:
- Chrysler Pacifica is the model on the rise – after ending up in 3rd place 2016 standings it was able to do one better in the first half of 2017, leaping over the rapidly-aging Toyota Sienna to claim second spot
- That said, the ancient Dodge Grand Caravan is still firmly in command of the segment, even if its lead over the Pacifica was just a little over 5,000 in the second quarter of 2017 – this is mainly due to fleet sales, as the model can be had for much cheaper than any other car in the segment
- Honda Odyssey lost over a quarter of its volume as buyers await the new model, though it remains to be seen whether the new car will be able to take the fight to the Pacifica, or even the aged but sturdy Sienna
- After a promising start Kia Sedona is sliding further back with each passing quarter, though at least it can take solace that it does not do worse in the segment – that would be the Nissan Quest, whose paltry sales of under 5,000 in the first half of 2017 make us wonder whether this model will be replaced when Nissan finally pulls the plug on it
Note: clicking on the model name opens the sales data page for that model; clicking year in the legend turns the display for that year on/off