Encouraging word at the North American International Auto Show about the future of the Windsor-built minivans.
There are no major announcements or introductions at the show regarding those vehicles.
The Senior Manager of Chrysler product management - Mary Ann Capo - is responsible for marketing both vehicles.
Capo says the Chrysler minivans started the segment and still lead the segment.
"We're proud we've innovated this vehicle," says Capo. "We've had 115 innovations or minivan firsts like we like to say. And as well we've very proud that we're the most awarded minivan, the Chrysler Pacifica has won the most awards. We reached over the 100 award milestone recently"
FCA Canada CEO Reid Bigland sees no change in production at the Windsor plant.
FCA Canada CEO Reid Bigland, NAIAS, January 14, 2019 (by AM800's Peter Langille)
He says FCA is the leader, but it's a smaller pie each year.
Capo is positive about the future of the minivans.
"We plan to maintain the Pacifica being the product leader in the minivan segment. We invented that segment 35 years ago, so we're celebrating 35 years of product leadership and innovation"
Bigland says the design team has kept the Pacifica on the cutting edge.
"Blacking it out making it look a little hipper and a little cooler, I think they've done a great job to kind of appeal to those who are contemplating an SUV but just can't deny that functionality that a minivan offers. And the functionality fo the minivan in the marketplace is still undeniable"
Bigland says the two Windsor-built minivans still command 56% of the US minivan market.