Is the Minivan Headed for the Dustbin?

Over the past few months, several major automakers have cancelled their minivan models. Ford discontinued the Mercury Monterey (and will stop production of the Freestar in 2007), Pontiac put the SV6 out to pasture, and Mazda will be Zoom-Zooming along without the MPV. Some major media outlets have even suggested that the minivan segment is about to bite the dust.

So what gives? Is the minivan as we know it headed to the scrap heap? Some automakers are banking on new crossover vehicles (often called crossover utility vehicles, or CUVs) as an alternative.

I’m impressed by what I’ve seen and read about the Ford Edge and GMC Acadia (pictured), and I’m sure they’ll find success in the marketplace. The crossover segment is an exciting new growth area in the automotive industry, and new vehicles like the Ford Fairlane hold lots of promise.

That said, I also think that minivans will be ferrying kids, lugging groceries, transporting shrubs and hauling all sorts of other cargo for a long time.

I've written up a short article outlining why I think the minivan is here to stay, including a comparison between the interior cargo space of a full-size SUV, two promising new crossovers and a traditional minivan. You may be surprised by the outcome.

• In Defense of the Minivan [article]

Do you think the minivan is here to stay, or is a crossover vehicle in your future? Visit the comments section and tell me what you think!
^{photo: © General Motors}