Chrysler in the late 1970s was in a seriously bad way, effectively needing a root and branch reform by the newly brought in Lee Iacocca as CEO to try and stave off the millions in ongoing losses they were suffering. Large scale firings, cancellations of models, selling off foreign and defence divisions, and even having to turn to the government for $1.5 billion in loan guarantees were needed to survive. The one bright spot was a 'Mini-Maxi' project brought over from Ford along with another transplant Hal Sperlich to build a competitor for the Japanese vans then being sold but which Henry Ford II had turned his nose up at, this became Chrysler's line of minivans. Introduced in 1984 they were wildly successful and Chrysler absolutely dominated the market segment to an insane degree.
Would Chrysler have been able to survive without the success of the minivan? Renault released the Espace in Europe in the same year, AMC apparently wanted to license produce it but talks fell through, and IIRC there were potential Japanese competitors so it wasn't a wholly unique idea. How do people think Chrysler would have faired if they'd either not developed their minivan, or had to of shared the market right off the bat or after the first year? Would the Big Three have become the Big Two?
Would Chrysler have been able to survive without the success of the minivan? Renault released the Espace in Europe in the same year, AMC apparently wanted to license produce it but talks fell through, and IIRC there were potential Japanese competitors so it wasn't a wholly unique idea. How do people think Chrysler would have faired if they'd either not developed their minivan, or had to of shared the market right off the bat or after the first year? Would the Big Three have become the Big Two?