When Volkswagen releases its new Chrysler-engineered minivan in 2008, don’t expect to see the new Swivel ‘n Go found in the Chrysler models. Chrysler will likely keep both its Stow ‘n Go and Swivel ‘n Go features as differentiators for its vans.
When speaking about Swivel ‘n Go, Frank Klegon, executive vice president of product development […]

Ford Motor Co. has confirmed that it will build a Lincoln seven-passenger crossover vehicle based on the same platform as the upcoming production version of the Ford Fairlane.
While the Lincoln crossover will share “hard points” with the Fairlane, it will feature unique Lincoln styling cues, like a bow-wave, double-wing grille, powerful beltline, thin, horizontal taillamps, […]

Ford Motor Co. won’t restart production of its Freestar minivan at its Oakville assembly plant, according to spokeswoman Anne Marie Gattari. The automaker put production on hiatus in early November to allow for a smoother production launch of the new Edge and Lincoln MKX crossovers. Ford was expected to resume production of the Freestar this […]

Ford of Europe isn’t celebrating the Transit’s 2007 International Van of the Year award with just one special vehicle. Earlier today, we told you about Ford’s extended length Transit XXL.
The second one-off to celebrate the Transit’s 2007 International Van of the Year is the Transit Connect X-Press, which features the engine and brakes from Ford’s […]

Since vans don’t ignite our passion like high-performance cars — for that matter just about any car, we rarely talk about vans on Auto Insider News. But every once in a while there is something in the van-world that we can’t resist.
After the new Ford Transit was crowned the 2007 International Van of the Year, […]

General Motor’s Vice Chairman and product guru, Bob Lutz, wanted to make it clear, “Nobody said GM is getting out of the minivan business forever.” This statement on the GM FastLane Blog reiterated his statements from last month.
Last month, it was reported that GM had scrapped plans for redesigning its minivans for the 2009 model […]

Despite expectations, Ford will not debut the production version of the Ford Fairlane people mover at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in early January. Many sources, including the The Detroit Free Press, the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, and Bob Thibodeau, a local Detroit Ford dealer and senior cochairman of NAIAS, had the production […]

Ford unveiled a refreshed C-MAX at the Bologna Motor Show. Originally launched as the Focus C-MAX, Ford has decided to “give the freshened model its own identity, similar to the S-MAX.”
“The cornerstone of our ‘MAX’ strategy is to give customers all the features, space and flexibility they need from a family vehicle, but with a […]

The Chrysler Group will begin building a production version of the Dodge Avenger Concept early next year, the company said in a memo to dealers. Dodge unveiled an Avenger Concept at the Paris Motor Show back in September. While just about everyone knew that the Concept would eventually make it to production, the Chrysler Group […]

Following Ford’s move, General Motors is abandoning the minivan business when production of its existing models ends, according to The Detroit News. GM has scrapped plans for redesigning its minivans for the 2009 model year. Instead, GM will focus on its Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave crossovers, with eight passenger seating.
“We do believe […]