Next generation Pacifica not expected until 2032

Breadcrumb Trail Links

BusinessLocal News

Article content

A new generation of minivan has traditionally appeared every decade, but Auto Forecast Solutions’ vice president of global vehicle forecasting Sam Fiorani said Stellantis’s interest in creating a fully electric version of the Pacifica likely means a major overhaul won’t come until 2032.

“It’ll depend on the development of the electric vehicle market,” Fiorani said. “We anticipate the next generation will be on the STLA platform giving it the proven ability to be fully electrified.”

Article content

Currently, Stellantis offers gas-powered and plug-in hybrid versions of the Pacifica built at its Windsor Assembly Plant.

Fiorani expects a significant refresh of the Pacifica, which was unveiled in 2016, to come in 2027 or 2028.

“We just saw a refresh of the Pacifica, so that timeline makes sense as it would normally be just beyond when it would’ve been replaced,” Fiorani said. “We’re looking at 2032 before the next generation comes along.”

Fiorani said Stellantis remains committed to the Pacifica and as the inventor of the segment would likely be the last to abandon the segment.

Through the first three quarters of 2024, there were 92,386 Pacificas sold in the U.S., which is down 18 per cent compared to 2023. In Canada, the company sold 3,670 Pacificas, a decline of 17 per cent.

Sales of the Chrysler Grand Caravan in Canada have risen 85 per cent to 3,670.

Chrysler CEO brand Christine Feuell has previously stated the company wants to ‘reinvent the minivan’ and is studying just how the vehicle will fit in its product offerings in the electric era.

Stellantis Canada president Jeff Hines reenforced the company’s belief in the industry’s electric future in a recent interview with the Star. He was asked specifically about the possibility of introducing a battery electric version of the Pacifica at Windsor Assembly.

Article content

“I think there’s a market for a lot of fully electric products, without giving away what our product strategy is going to be moving forward,” Hines said.

“We’re 100 per cent believers long term that electrified is going to be a big, big part of the market globally and more importantly here in Canada.”

Fiorani noted Stellantis isn’t the lone automaker to believe there’s a market for a fully electric minivan.

“Volkswagen thinks there’s one too with the ID. (Buzz minivan) coming out (this year),” Fiorani said.

He added the longer wait for the next generation of Pacifica also hints at the company’s desire to add a fully electric version. In shifting the Pacifica onto a new platform and offering a full BEV version presents both opportunity and technical challenges that will take some time to sort out.

“You’re looking at a new platform that gives them the flexibility to do a lot of new things,” Fiorani said.

“Part of the delay is to get the flexibility of the Pacifica design into a platform that can accommodate fully electric. Things like Stow N Go seating is expected in a minivan and that uses the same space for storage as the battery.”

Article content

Fiorani added by the time the next generation Pacific arrives it’ll be using the evolved version of STLA large platform containing more advanced technology, software and batteries.

He said it wouldn’t be a surprise if the powertrain layout for the Pacific is also completely different.

“Right now, the STLA large platform is only showcasing longitudinal engines,” Fiorani said. “They may need a transversing engine for an electric minivan.”

Fiorani said engineers will also need to focus on charging technology, maintaining the energy levels and battery design to meet the demands of minivan buyers.

Recommended from Editorial

Stellantis Canada ‘very confident’ of Windsor Assembly Plant third shift in 2025

Could iconic Chrysler brand name disappear under new Stellantis CEO?

The Dodge Charger Daytona models produced in Windsor offer 400- and 800-volt options offering up to 800 kilometres of range.

“There are so many different things you need to engineer for a minivan that you don’t have in a passenger car or crossover,” Fiorani said.

“They’re heavier, larger and less aerodynamic than crossovers.

“For families you need the 300-400-mile (480-640 km) range and power, that when you put seven family members and all their stuff in the vehicle, your range isn’t dropping to 150 miles (240 km).

“Once they overcome those issues, you very likely will see a large swath of people attracted by the benefits of an electric minivan.”

Dwaddell@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/winstarwaddell

Article content

Share this article in your social network