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By LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE - May 8, 2012

“Mark Twain once famously said: “The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”

According to Chrysler Group, so too have the reports of the death of the Dodge Grand Caravan minivan.

A Bloomberg story last week, which appeared Saturday on autonews.com, quoted a source from Polk who said that 2012 would be the last model year for the venerable old Dodge people mover. The assertion was made despite Chrysler’s 2009 product plan that has the Grand Caravan — and its Chrysler Town & Country minivan line mate — remaining in service through 2014.

In a statement to Automotive News, Chrysler says it “hasn’t wavered from its five-year cycle plan for two minivans. It doesn’t call for a change until 2014 and includes both Grand Caravan and Town & Country.”

And speaking in downtown Detroit last week, Chrysler-Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne was clear that the automaker’s next minivan would ride on a new platform in 2014, as planned.

Asked during a conference call with analysts last month about development spending on the next minivan, Marchionne responded: “The minivan is an issue that we’re examining right now, but most of it will be done in 2013.”

But clearly, something’s going on in Chrysler’s product planning office involving the automaker’s people movers.

At the Detroit auto show in January, Chrysler quietly displayed a minivan concept, which it called the 700C, to gauge public reaction to the styling, Marchionne said. Asked then about his minivan plan, the enigmatic CEO simply said: “We need a new one.”

And one might be the operative number.

When Chrysler had many single-brand dealerships, having twin minivans meant the automaker could put one of its signature products on almost every lot. But now that the great majority of Chrysler dealers carry all of its traditional brands, developing two very similar minivans at different price points — the Dodge sells for less than $30,000, the Chrysler for more than $30,000 — lined up next to one another on the same dealer lot makes little sense.

According to Polk data, about two-thirds of Grand Caravan registrations in the United States are fleet sales, while about two-thirds of registrations for the Town & Country are retail sales.

Letting the two minivans live through 2014 until a single proper replacement is developed probably makes sense.

But then, as Twain also noted: “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.”

Special savings on most 2012 Chrysler Jeep Dodge and Ram vehicles for one week only! Sale ends April 25th.

Minivan Month is here at Suncoast Chrysler Jeep Dodge. Take a look at the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan in this video walk-around.

Technology is changing how the world does business everyday. Take a look at how some car dealers are using the iPad to improve the buying experience.

1. Although everyone loves to hear you sing along with your stereo, it’s better to drive with the windows closed. Open windows actually reduce gas mileage compared to using the A/C.

2. But if you don’t “need” the A/C, turn it off and use the fan instead. The A/C compressor puts an extra strain on the engine.

3. If possible, stay clear of stop-and-go rush hour traffic.

4. Drive 55 mph rather than 75 mph. If you can lift that lead foot a little, you’ll get up to 25% better gas mileage.

5. Keep it smooth and steady. Use your cruise control whenever possible.

6. Kick that kegger out of the car. That extra weight is a drain on gas mileage.

7. Invest in your engine with synthetic motor oil or standard oil treated with a friction reducing oil additive. You may be able to improve fuel economy up to 12%.

8. Keep your engine tuned up. Incorrect fuel ratio, bad spark plugs and incorrect spark timing can have a big effect on gas mileage.

9. Next hunting trip, put Bambi in the passenger seat. Bulky items on roof of hood create wind resistance and make the engine work harder.

10. Consider a car that gets great gas mileage. Suncoast Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM has five models that top 30 MPG!

Drivers are increasingly happy with getting their vehicle serviced at the dealership they bought from, than when they take it to a non-dealership shop, a new survey says….Read more about the increasing use of dealer service centers.

Check out all the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee has to offer in this video walk around. We have plenty in stock so stop by today for your test drive.

Check out this article about the increase in vehicles that are powered by natural gas. Starting in July, Chrysler will sell a RAM 2500 that fits the bill.

Now is a great time to see why RAM is a better choice than it’s rivals. Truck Month is still going on at Suncoast.