When did Dodge discontinue the Grand Caravan?
The Dodge Grand Caravan was discontinued after the 2016 model year, with production winding down in 2016 as Dodge shifted its minivan focus to the Chrysler Pacifica.
Since its introduction in 1987, the Grand Caravan served as Dodge’s flagship minivan for families and fleets. By the mid-2010s, FCA decided to consolidate its minivan lineup around the Pacifica platform, leading to the formal end of the Grand Caravan in North America and a reorganization of the brand’s minivan strategy.
Timeline of discontinuation
Below are the key milestones that marked the end of the Grand Caravan’s run and the transition to thePacifica platform.
- 2016 model year: FCA announces plans to discontinue the Grand Caravan after this model year, positioning the Chrysler Pacifica as the brand’s primary minivan.
- 2016: Production of the Grand Caravan winds down at the Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario, marking the end of Grand Caravan manufacture.
- 2017 onward: The Pacifica becomes Dodge’s main minivan offering in North America, and the Grand Caravan name is retired from new-car sales in the region.
Taken together, these steps closed a long chapter for Dodge’s iconic minivan and solidified the Pacifica as the brand’s successor in the minivan segment.
Context and impact
The Grand Caravan had been a staple of Dodge’s lineup for nearly three decades, evolving through multiple generations while maintaining a reputation for practicality and value. The shift to the Pacifica reflected a broader industry move toward newer platforms, advanced safety technology, and more modern interiors. From a market perspective, the discontinuation aligned Dodge with FCA’s strategy to streamline its minivan offerings and emphasize the more upscale Pacifica model in North America.
Notes for readers and researchers
For those studying automotive history or considering purchasing a used Grand Caravan, be aware that new-unit availability ended in 2016 in most markets, with remaining inventory selling through 2016–2017 depending on region. The Grand Caravan name has not returned as a new model in Dodge’s North American lineup since then.
Summary
In short, Dodge stopped selling new Grand Caravans after the 2016 model year, ending production in 2016 as the brand pivoted to the Chrysler Pacifica to lead its minivan lineup. The transition marked the end of an era for a model that long defined Dodge’s family-focused transport.
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What replaced the Dodge Grand Caravan?
The Dodge Grand Caravan was replaced by the Chrysler Voyager and Chrysler Grand Caravan in 2020, which are both based on the platform of the Chrysler Pacifica. The Chrysler Voyager is sold in the US as a budget-friendly fleet and commercial-focused model, while the Chrysler Grand Caravan is sold in Canada as a similar entry-level option. The more modern Chrysler Pacifica is still available as a premium minivan.
Model breakdown
- Chrysler Pacifica: Introduced in 2017, the Pacifica was the initial modern replacement for both the Grand Caravan and the Chrysler Town & Country. It continues to be sold as the higher-end minivan in Chrysler's lineup.
- Chrysler Voyager: This was the model introduced to replace the Dodge Grand Caravan in the US for the 2020 model year, primarily for fleet and commercial sales.
- Chrysler Grand Caravan: The nameplate was revived for the Canadian market in 2020. It is essentially a rebadged Chrysler Voyager and serves as the new entry-level model in Canada.
What car replaced the Grand Caravan?
In the current lineup, it is positioned as the lower-end Chrysler minivan, having replaced the Dodge Grand Caravan in 2020, below the Chrysler Pacifica. The Chrysler Voyager was introduced in Europe in 1988, and was a rebadged version of the Dodge Caravan in the United States.
Why did Dodge stop making Grand Caravan?
The Dodge Caravan was discontinued primarily because of a shift in consumer demand away from minivans and toward SUVs, as well as the company's strategic decision to focus on higher-performance vehicles. Additionally, declining birth rates and a negative image associated with minivans contributed to the shrinking market, and Stellantis (formerly FCA) phased out the model to streamline its lineup and produce more profitable models.
This video explains the rise and fall of minivans: 55sWheels HistoryYouTube · Jul 16, 2025
Market and strategic factors
- Decline in minivan sales: The overall minivan market has shrunk significantly as consumers increasingly prefer SUVs and crossovers, which were marketed as more adventurous alternatives.
- Company strategy: Dodge (and its parent company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) decided to refocus on its muscle car and performance lineup, like the Challenger and Charger, which was a more profitable part of the brand.
- Aging platform: The Grand Caravan's design was aging, and it was seen as less modern compared to newer competitors and even its Chrysler sibling, the Pacifica.
- Market saturation: The minivan market was already a staple of American family life, so it had a lower growth potential. Many manufacturers had already introduced their own minivan models, and the market was saturated.
- Declining birth rates: A drop in the birth rate meant that families no longer needed as many large, three-row vehicles, making the minivan less appealing to the average consumer.
Replacement and production
- Chrysler Voyager: To fill the gap, Chrysler introduced the Voyager, a less-expensive version of the Pacifica, for the 2020 model year.
- Production: Production of the Dodge Grand Caravan officially ended in the summer of 2020.
This video explains what the discontinuation of the Dodge Caravan means for the Charger: 58sKnockout 360YouTube · Mar 3, 2020
