AutoblogAutoblogHonda Freed mini-minivan debuts in Japan- May 30, 2008 Filed under: MinivansMPVs, Japan, HondaClick above for high-res gallery of the Honda FreedHonda revealed its new compact minivan today in Japan called the Freed. On sale today as well, the Freed can carry up to eight passengers within its diminutive dimensions thanks to a low, completely flat floor and some clever packaging. Opt for captains chairs in the second row and you can still ferry seven people between Kyoto and Tokyo in relative comfort. The Freed will also be offered in three versions.http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/30/honda-freed-mini-minivan-debuts-in-japan/ 2008 Grand Caravan gets mostly good crash results- May 28, 2008 Filed under: MinivansMPVs, Safety, Chrysler, LLC., DodgeThe Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has smashed up a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and the results are mostly good. In front crash tests, the newly redesigned minivan gets all green Gs, the highest rating the Institute gives and in side crashes, the Dodge's multiple airbags helped it get all Gs except in the "structuresafety cage" category, where it got the next lower Acceptable rating. The IIHS Web site doesn't have any explanation for..http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/28/2008-grand-caravan-gets-mostly-good-crash-results/ Ford subject of another fire investigation- May 21, 2008 Filed under: MinivansMPVs, GovernmentLegal, FordEven after recalling 10 million vehicles over the past few years, Ford just can't seem to shake the cruise control blues. There have been 130 reports of fires in 1998-2003 Ford Windstars, both during use and while parked, and the NHTSA is looking into the matter to determine if a recall is needed. The fires may be due to the Windstar's cruise control system, but Ford says this unit is different from the system that caused the 10 million-unit...http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/21/ford-subject-of-another-fire-investigation/ Kelley Blue Book names Best New Road Trip Vehicles for 2008- May 20, 2008 Filed under: HybridsAlternative, MinivansMPVs, SedansSaloons, Supercars, First Drive, Lifestyleclick to view more high-res images of the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXTNext Monday is Memorial Day, which many think of as the official start of the summer driving season. That means it's time to pack your families and all their associated gear in the family truckster family sedan and head out to see the relatives. We've already seen one set of choices for the best vehicle with which to hit the open...http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/20/kelley-blue-book-names-best-new-road-trip-vehicles-for-... Toyota Alphard gets facelift, Vellfire sibling- May 13, 2008 Filed under: MinivansMPVs, Japan, Toyota Click above for a gallery of the new Toyota Alphard and VellfireSix years after Toyota's luxury minivan, the Alphard, hit Japanese (and a few SE Asian) showrooms, the company has given its flagship people mover a facelift, and a twin brother. Noting that one in four family cars in Japan are minivans but that the outgoing Alphard appealed more to grandfathers than fathers, the second-gen model remains conservatively styled, while a meaner, more...http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/13/toyota-alphard-gets-facelift-vellfire-sibling/ Mazda Biante: JDM-only seating for eight- May 10, 2008 Filed under: MinivansMPVs, MazdaClick above for a high-res gallery, follow the jump for videoMeet the Biante, Mazda's new Japan-only 8-passenger minivan. The funky oversized headlamps, expansive greenhouse, and stylish frenched taillamps are the work of Iwao Koizumi, designer of the original Atenza (Mazda6 outside Japan) and CX-7.Mazda announced the Biante earlier this week, and details are still a bit thin thin. According to the automaker, the new people-mover's name is derived from the word...http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/10/mazda-biante-jdm-only-seating-for-eight/ Future Classic: 1984 Chrysler Minivans- May 9, 2008 Filed under: Time Warp, MinivansMPVs, Etc., Chrysler, LLC., DodgeThink of what the automotive landscape looked like nigh on 25 years ago. Mentioning "family car" in 1983 would have conjured a station wagon. Some of us dig wagons, while others think we're daft because of the stigma they still carry. There's no denying that a wagon is an excellent way to transport kids and stuff, but those beasts of yesteryear often led to yearnings for an alternative. We all remember getting carsick while...http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/09/future-classic-1984-chrysler-minivans/ Hyundai launches i800 full-size van in Europe- May 8, 2008 Filed under: MinivansMPVs, Euro, HyundaiClick above for high-res gallery of the Hyundai i800What, you thought only Ford and GM did the full-size van thing anymore Say hello to the eight-passenger Hyundai i800, which goes on sale late June in the UK. The i800 sports captain's chairs up front with two three-passenger benches out back. That makes a grand total of eight seat belts thanks to its totally accommodating third-row. Hyundai's big van is powered by a 2.5L four-cylinder CRDi diesel engine,.http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/hyundai-launches-i800-full-size-van-in-europe/ More creative incentives: Buy a VW Routan and get $1,500 for college- May 8, 2008 Filed under: Car Buying, MinivansMPVs, MarketingAdvertising, VolkswagenClick above for high-res gallery of the Volkswagen RoutanThe new Volkswagen Routan minivan hasn't even gone on sale yet and there is already an incentive on its hood. This one, however, is not your typical cash back deal. Instead, Volkswagen is working under the assumption that the people likely to actually purchase a Routan are those with kids to haul. As such, VW of America is teaming up with Upromise to provide buyers...http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/08/more-creative-incentives-buy-a-vw-routan-get-1-500-for-... |