CarSeekBlog

According to the Wall Street Journal, Ralph Gilles, CEO of Dodge, discussed a new concept in a recent dealers meeting. He called it the “man van,” and it’s a variant of the minivan that would give the brand – and the vehicle – a more masculine image.

According to the Journal, one of the dealers said, “A man van won’t generate huge sales, but it’s one of those vehicles that gets people talking and heads turning.”

So what’s the man van going to look like? Well, rather like the Dodge Grand Caravan R/T concept displayed at the 2008 SEMA show, this would have exterior and interior details that would help to differentiate dad’s minivan from mom’s. Examples include bespoke stitching on the seats and steering wheel, but the body trim has yet to be finalized.

This announcement closely follows news of two other minivans which are being pushed as family-friendly: Honda’s 2011 Odyssey, which features 15 cup holders and an integrated trash receptacle, and Toyota’s 2011 Sienna, which is being marketed with a “Mommy Like” commercial campaign.

Filed under: Chrysler, Dodge, In the News by Mel