The Dodge Grand Caravan will end its long career—spanning 36 model years—in August 2020. After that, buyers of inexpensive Mopar minivans will need to go with the Chrysler Voyager—the name by which all Chrysler minivans were sold in Europe for many years.

One of many Caravans in West Virginia.

Many were expecting the Windsor plant that pumps out Pacificas to make some sort of minivan-based large crossover, but none ever showed up; rumors flew of having a crossover based on the Chinese Jeep Commander, to be made alongside the Cherokee, and one based on the Pacifica, to be made alongside the Pacifica. There was also the Portal. Any or all of these might be under development, but all are rather later than we would expect.

Whatis FCA making, you may ask. There are single or double shifts at these plants:
  • Jefferson North (Grand Cherokee, Durango; three shifts)
  • Toledo (Wrangler, Gladiator)
  • Sterling Heights (Ram pickups; three shifts)
  • Warren (Ram pickups)
  • Brampton (large cars)
  • Windsor (minivans; three shifts)
  • Saltillo (Ram vans, ProMasters)
  • Toluca (Compass, Journey?)
  • Belvidere (Cherokee)

Next week, Saltillo is, according to an FCA release, to go to three shifts, though the van plant will stay on two shifts. Windsor is slated to drop back to two shifts, which is not a good sign for those expecting a crossover to be made there in the near future.