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HomeMinivans

Minivans

2022 Toyota Sienna taillight
Satire

Why is the Toyota Sienna minivan’s styling out of this world?

May 3, 2026 Steve 9

(UPDATED FROM 3/4/2024) AUTOMOTIVE VIEWS NEWSWIRE — It’s no accident that the Toyota Sienna minivan stands out from the crowd when it comes to styling. Disturbed by declining sales, the automaker decided to give it […]

2018 Honda Odyssey
Design Notes

Somebody’s going to hell for the 2018-26 Honda Odyssey

April 1, 2026 Steve 7

(EXPANDED FROM 7/9/2018) The headline may seem overly dramatic. After all, ugly car design doesn’t have nearly the negative consequences of, say, melting the polar ice caps. However, visual blight has been proven to increase […]

1983 Ford Thunderbird
Drive-By Musings

What were Detroit’s top-five most iconic vehicle designs from 1980-2000?

October 31, 2025 Steve 11

(EXPANDED FROM 1/2/2024) A few years ago Michael Karesh (2023) of TrueDelta asked, “Which cars (model and year) from the Detroit Three since 1980 do you feel qualify as design icons?” I would invite you […]

1962 Ford Mustang I concept car
Drive-By Musings

How might McNamara have influenced Ford if he had stuck around longer?

October 21, 2025 Steve 2

How might Robert McNamara have influenced Ford if he had remained company president for a few more years? This is a question that emerged from the comment thread in our recent Don Frey story. Let’s […]

2025 VW ID. Buzz
Current Events

Richard Truett’s plan to ‘rescue’ the VW ID. Buzz thinks too big

August 7, 2025 Steve 5

Automotive News reporter Richard Truett (2025) recently recommended how Volkswagen could “rescue” the ID. Buzz, which is off to a slow start in sales. In a piece labeled a “Comment,” Truett argued that under current […]

Second-generation Toyota Sienna minivan
Design Notes

Early indications of Toyota embracing its inner Virgil Exner

April 14, 2025 Steve 6

(EXPANDED FROM 10/25/2021) The above photograph shows the beginning of Toyota’s embrace of sci-fi styling. In the foreground, the second-generation Sienna minivan (which was produced from 2003 to 2009) had simple but attractive styling (Wikipedia, […]

1960 Ford wagon
History

In 1974 Harry Bradley anticipated the American wagon’s future

September 10, 2024 Steve 7

(EXPANDED FROM 11/9/2022) A few years ago Dean’s Garage reprinted a prescient essay Harry Bradley (2022) wrote way back in 1974 about the future of the American station wagon. His article made a number of […]

Parody ads about the auto industry and media
Our Sponsors

Automotive Views: Ford enters the home market with new Transit van

July 26, 2023 Steve 1
Media Analysis

Road & Track magazine’s 1972 Nader attack was disingenuous propaganda

April 24, 2023 Steve 2

(EXPANDED FROM 10/30/2020) When Road & Track decided to go after Ralph Nader in 1972, the magazine took unusual measures. Even before an “evaluation” of a Nader report hit the newsstands, Road & Track held […]

1975 Ford Econoline van
Quotes

1970s van boom leads to premature predictions about FWD minivans

May 27, 2022 Steve 4

“With the van boom booming and no sign of abatement, Detroit and the importers are headed for a second generation of vans — smaller ones this time. These will come in addition to existing sizes. […]

Posts pagination

1 2 »
  • 1965 Studebaker Cruiser proposal
    Car Life speculates about why Studebaker shut down its South Bend plant
    July 17, 2026 8
  • 1956 Lincoln
    The 1956 Lincoln’s styling proved to be a one-year wonder
    July 17, 2026 18
  • 1975 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL
    1975 Mercedes-Benz 450 SL lacked the taut brilliance of its predecessor
    July 14, 2026 6
  • 1988 Oldsmobile Toronado
    Did GM go too far in downsizing the 1986 Riviera, Toronado and Eldorado?
    July 10, 2026 16
  • J. 'Kelly' Flory Jr.
    J. ‘Kelly’ Flory Jr.’s American Cars series is pricey but valuable
    July 10, 2026 4
  • 1968 Pontiac Firebird green convertible
    1967-72 Pontiac Firebird shows limits of ad illustrations
    July 7, 2026 10
  • Miscellaneous ramblings about being on the road
    June 25, 2026 5
  • Internet problems reminded me of U.S. automakers in the 1970s
    May 2, 2026 1
  • 1956 Buick hood scoop
    Readers brainstorm ideas for future Indie Auto stories
    October 14, 2022 141
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