In the late 1980s, a young Chrysler designer had the inspired idea of making an SUV in minivan form. He didn't get it past the concept stage.
In the late 1980s, fresh out of the industrial-design program at Pratt Institute, Michael Santoro took a job at Chrysler. He was one of a cohort of young designers, and since they had access to the corporate fleet, sometimes they'd borrow a car and drive from Detroit to New York City. One weekend, a colleague cadged a Chrysler minivan.
So when Santoro was approached in 1989 to conceptualize appeal-enhancing extensions for the minivan line, he was enthused. He sketched a slammed hot rod with monoblock wheels and blacked-out trim, a roofless beach cruiser with a washable interior, and a taxi with canary livery and huge graphics. Investment in the project increased—a full-size concept was built and began to make the rounds internally. Eventually, Chrysler showed it to dealers. "And everybody loved it. Except the Jeep dealers. They were like, 'No way. We don't need a minivan Wrangler,' " Santoro says. He hypothesized that Jeep feared the cannibalization of sales or dilution of brand equity.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
'Fatal Attraction' behind the scenes secrets from the 1980s thriller'Fatal Attraction' was released in 1987 and became a classic, with an updated reboot recently premiering on Paramount +. Here are some behind-the-scenes secrets from set.
Lire la suite »
The Raddest 1980s and ’90s Pickups You Can Buy for Less Than $10,000Reminisce or ready yourself for a Radwood meet with these affordable special-edition trucks.
Lire la suite »
NIO Starts Deliveries Of Flagship EC7 SUVDeliveries of NIO's coupe-style SUV, the EC7, have officially commenced in China with prices starting at the equivalent of $70,000.
Lire la suite »
Ford Makes History by Importing Lincoln SUV to U.S. — from ChinaFord Motor Company will make history by importing its next generation Lincoln Nautilus from China — the first time ever to do so.
Lire la suite »
SUV crashes into business in Belmont CraginThe SUV took down a pole and smashed into the front widow of the One Main Financial office.
Lire la suite »
Smaller electric Cadillac SUV spied looking closer to production specThe next Cadillac EV is getting closer and closer, as these spy shots of an electric compact crossover show.
Lire la suite »