AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

• Dodge Grand Caravan is the best-selling minivan in United States with 141,648 units sold in 2012, a 28 percent increase over previous year
• Chrysler Town & Country sells 111,744 units in 2012, an 18 percent increase over previous year
• Chrysler Group LLC sold 253,392 minivans in 2012, a 23 percent increase, and nearly half of all minivans sold in the U.S. in 2012
• The creator of the minivan segment, Chrysler Group has innovated 78 minivan firsts since 1983

Chrysler Group LLC rang in the New Year taking the sales lead in the segment it created back in 1983. Dodge Grand Caravan was the best-selling minivan in the United States in 2012 with 141,648 units sold, a 28 percent increase from 2011. America's most awarded minivan, the refined Chrysler Town & Country, also saw a significant 18 percent increase in sales to 111,744 units. The Chrysler Group sold a combined total of 253,392 minivans, which accounts for almost half of the entire minivan segment's sales in the United States in 2012.

"We created the minivan segment in 1983, and have been listening to our customers and innovating ever since," said Joe Veltri, Vice President --Product Planning, Chrysler Group LLC. "With more than 78 minivan firsts, like our class-exclusive Super Stow 'n Go seating and new Blu-ray rear seat entertainment systems, we intend to stay at the top of the segment."

The 253,392 combined minivan sales is a 23 percent increase from the previous year, well above the 13 percent increase for the entire minivan segment in 2012.

New on the Dodge and Chrysler minivans for the 2013 model year is a Blu-ray video system featuring segment-exclusive second- and third-row screens capable of playing two different DVDs at the same time. Nine-inch screens in the second and third rows feature four-times better resolution when compared with previous models and allow customers to watch their movies on Blu-ray or standard DVDs or play their High-Definition Media Interface (HDMI) gaming systems. This HD system also includes two USB ports, one HDMI port and 115-volt power inverter so that customers can charge their cell phones, MP3 players, laptops, tablets and gaming systems. The system also features a standard RCA input and 12-volt outlet. Two wireless headsets and a wireless remote allow the rear-seat passengers to enjoy their favorite video or gaming systems in the minivans' second and third rows without disrupting mom or dad in the front seats.

The new Blu-ray rear-seat entertainment system is available on Dodge Grand Caravan Crew and R/T and Chrysler Town & Country Touring-L models. It is standard on Chrysler Town & Country S and Limited models.

The 2013 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans are built at Chrysler Group LLC's Windsor Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

2013 Chrysler Town & Country

Chrysler Town & Country is the Most Awarded Minivan, with the highest owner loyalty in the segment, and the most innovative seating and storage system with Standard Stow 'n Go Seats. Town & Country's award-winning powertrain delivers best-in-class horsepower without sacrificing fuel efficiency. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine is a two-time "Ward's 10 Best Engine" winner and produces 283 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. The V-6 is mated to the 62TE six-speed automatic transmission. A fuel economizer mode helps the driver maximize fuel efficiency, and premium, lower-rolling-resistance tires, and low-drag brake calipers and rear bearings make great fuel economy possible. Town & Country achieves 17 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city, 25 on the highway.

The 2013 Chrysler Town & Country is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick and offers over 40 available safety, security and technology features, providing customers the safety they expect to ensure peace of mind when traveling. Standard safety features include ParkView rear back up camera, front seat-mounted air bags, a driver-side inflatable knee blocker, advanced multi-stage driver and front passenger air bags, side-curtain air bags for all three rows, and electronic stability control, including Brake Assist and all-speed traction control. Optional on Touring and standard on Touring L and Limited models is the SafetyTec Group consisting of rain-sensitive windshield wipers, Smartbeam headlamps, ParkSense rear park assist system, Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path detection.

2013 Dodge Grand Caravan

The 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan – America's best-selling minivan - continues to innovate in the segment it created and offers an unprecedented level of functionality, convenience, safety and value. With a starting U.S. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $19,995 (excluding destination), the Dodge Grand Caravan is the most affordable seven-passenger vehicle in the United States. Its standard, award-winning Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 engine delivers best-in-class 283 horsepower and tow rating of 3,600 lbs. Grand Caravan features a segment-exclusive fuel economizer mode and gets up to 25 miles per gallon, or up to 500 miles driving range. This IIHS Top Safety Pick also has more than 40 safety, security and technology features, including new-for-2013 Trailer Sway Damping and a 5-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan is available in five models that fit almost any lifestyle and budget: the AVP, SE, SXT, Crew and R/T, with innovative design and features inherent in every model. The Grand Caravan's available industry-exclusive Super Stow 'n Go seating and storage system with easy one-touch operation and more comfortable seats also leads the segment. With this Super Stow 'n Go seating system, the second row in the Dodge Grand Caravan can be effortlessly stowed in less than five seconds with just one hand. And when not stowed, only Dodge Grand Caravan allows secure storage in the second row in-floor bins. Standard on all Grand Caravan models is the 50/50 split-folding third row Stow 'n Go seating system, featuring a segment-exclusive tailgate function. Only Grand Caravan can so effortlessly be transformed from hauling seven passengers to hauling cargo in a matter of seconds.

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC