Can Minivan Automakers Bring Sexy Back?

Not Your Mom's Minivan Blog

I am reminded of the age-old question: SUV or Minivan? Obviously as a minivan blogger, I have some leanings toward the latter. A recent blog post by Tom McKnight outlines the benefits and disadvantages of each and provides some insight as to what consumers should think about when making the decision for themselves (appearance, safety, utilitarianism, etc.) For me with two small children, safety was a huge factor; however, I must admit that the sexiness of a SUV was more appealing than that of the current minivan lineup.

So what can automakers do to entice consumers to purchase a minivan over an SUV? Also, does it make business sense to do so? The 2008 Volkswagen Routan marketing campaign was a step in the right direction by having Brooke Shields encourage parents to “have a baby for love, not for German engineering.” In addition the Routan was priced much lower ($25k) than it’s SUV counterpart, the Toureg ($40k). …