2009 Dodge Grand Caravan Cargo Meets Small Business and Commercial Needs

Providing business customers superior space and durability to handle the most demanding commercial jobs, the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van is a “garageable” solution that provides an optimum balance of utility and visibility for small business and commercial needs.

The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van showcases a spacious, yet compact interior, along with a commercial suspension for heavier cargo without sacrificing ride quality. In addition to dual-sliding doors for ease of loading and unloading, the Grand Caravan cargo van features abundant upfitter and storage capability.

For small business owners, the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van is optimized with a number of new factory upfit options. Included is new exterior vinyl window shading that may be applied to the outside window, full-width cargo dividers, wire mesh and solid metal window interior inserts, a cargo compartment floor mat, and molded wall liner to maximize interior volume.

For fleet customers, new premium options include daytime running lights, power eight-way driver seat, Power Equipment Group, security alarm, uconnect phone, and uconnect gps with satellite radio, voice-activated capability, touch-screen and real-time traffic and navigation. Also available to fleet customers is a security alarm, Smoker’s Group and heavy-duty engine cooling system.

Standard features include a 3.3-liter V-6 Flex-Fuel (E85) capable engine with a four-speed automatic transmission delivering 175 horsepower (131 kW) at 5,000 rpm and 205 lb.-ft. of torque (278 N•m) at 4,000 rpm, a commercial-tuned front and rear suspension, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, 225/65 R16 tires with steel wheels and a 20-gallon fuel tank.

Additional standard features include power front windows and locks, power mirrors, speed control, remote keyless entry, front and rear power outlets, no intermediate or rear seats, industrial cargo floor and front rubber floor covering, CAN (Controller Area Network)-based electrical system and integrated power distribution module, sunscreen glass, and side-curtain air bags with rollover protection.

Available options include Interior Delete Group (deletes rear quarter trim, C- and D-pillar trim and rear floor silencers), side-curtain air bags delete, and a 160-amp electrical alternator.

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2009
• Exterior vinyl window shading
• Full-width cargo dividers
• Wire mesh and solid metal window interior inserts
• Cargo compartment floor mat
• Molded wall liners

Fleet only
• New premium options including daytime running lights, power eight-way driver seat, Power Equipment Group, security alarm, uconnect phone, and uconnect gps with satellite radio, voice-activated capability, touch-screen and real-time traffic and navigation
• Also, security alarm, Smoker’s Group, heavy-duty engine cooling system, and a fleet-delete option that removes supplemental side-curtain air bags and interior trim

DESIGN
The 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van is designed to meet specialized small business and commercial customer needs, while offering exceptional occupant protection to ensure a safe and secure driving experience.

Rear seats are not included to provide ultimate storage capacity. For increased protection, a durable rubber floor mat covers the cargo area. Dual-sliding doors and rear-quarter window openings offer a variety of glass and/or panel configurations.

ENGINEERING
Packing plenty of comfort and convenience, the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van provides business customers 144.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity, maximum Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 6,050 lbs., Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 7,000 lbs., payload capacity of 1,500 lbs. and impressive towing capacity of 1,800 lbs.

Hydraulic power-assist rack-and-pinion steering, heavy-duty ride suspension, front anti-roll bar, and a rear twist beam axle with coil springs combine to provide enhanced handling and driver comfort.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
• Designed for commercial use, the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van meets small business and commercial needs
• Spacious, yet compact interior along with a commercial suspension for heavier cargo without sacrificing ride quality
• Dual-sliding doors for ease of loading and unloading
• Abundant upfitter and storage capability
• For maximum storage capacity, rear seats are not included

SAFETY AND SECURITY
Please refer to the Safety and Security Glossary in the Safety and Technology Section for descriptions of the following features:
• Advanced Multi-stage Front Air Bag
• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
• BeltAlert
• Brake Assist
• Brake/Park Interlock
• Constant Force Retractors (CFR)
• Door Alert
• Driver-side Inflatable Knee Blocker
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Energy-absorbing Steering Column
• Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS)
• Front Crush Sensors
• Low-risk Deployment Air Bag
• Seat Belt Pretensioners
• Supplemental Side-curtain Air Bags
• Three-point Lap/Shoulder Belt with Height Adjusters
• Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM)

COLOR AVAILABILITY
• Bright Silver Metallic
• Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl
• Inferno Red Crystal Pearl
• Light Sandstone Metallic
• Modern Blue Pearl
• Stone White

MANUFACTURING INFORMATION
• 2009 model production start: July 2008
• Production location: St. Louis South Assembly Plant in Fenton, Mo.
• 3.3-liter six-cylinder Flex-Fuel capable engine: Trenton Engine Plant in Trenton, Mich.
• Four-speed automatic transmission: Kokomo Transmission Plant in Kokomo, Ind.


MARKET POSITION
Designed for commercial use, the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van is an ideal transport option for small business and commercial needs. Providing business customers a spacious yet compact interior, its special commercial suspension allows for carrying heavier cargo without sacrificing ride quality.

DEMOGRAPHICS/TARGET CUSTOMER

Small-business Customer

• “Mom and Pop” type businesses
• Ten vehicles or less in fleet
• Entrepreneur, independent businessperson with hands-on management style
• Service and delivery vocations (florist, dry cleaner, package/parcel)

Small-fleet Customer

• Ten to 49 vehicles in fleet
• Maintains rigid fleet maintenance and repair schedules
• May work directly with OEM dealer commercial sales staff or large fleet representative for vehicle purchase
• Service and delivery vocations (postal service, package/parcel)


MARKET ADVANTAGES

• “Garageable” solution that provides an optimum balance of utility and visibility for small business and commercial needs
• Comfort and convenience features including dual glove boxes and multiple storage bins and cup holders
• Abundant upfitter and storage capability
• Dual-sliding doors for ease of loading and unloading

PRODUCT CHRONOLOGY
2008 MODEL YEAR
• Additional comfort and convenience features including dual glove boxes and multiple storage bins and cup holders
• Abundant upfitter and storage capability with exclusive Stow ’n Go® body and tubs

2007 MODEL YEAR
• Driver- and passenger-side sliding doors with fixed glass now standard
• Two new exterior color offerings: Modern Blue Pearl and Marine Blue Pearl

2006 MODEL YEAR
• Two models offered: Dodge Caravan CV (short wheelbase) and Dodge Grand Caravan CV (long wheelbase)
• 3.3-liter V-6 engine (180 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm, 210 lb.-ft. torque @ 4,000 rpm) with four-speed automatic transaxle and 2.49 overall top gear
• Final drive ratio: 3.3-liter = 3.62
• Flex-fuel capable 3.3-liter V-6 engine (fleet offering only)
• Power four-wheel disc brakes standard equipment
• Four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS) standard equipment
• Rack-and-pinion power steering system standard equipment on all models with 17.8:1 overall ratio and turning diameters of 39.4 feet (Grand Caravan) or 37.6 feet (Caravan)
• Commercial wagon suspension standard equipment
• 16-inch steel wheels with wheel cover; full-size spare standard equipment on short-wheelbase models
• Heavy-duty Electrical Group offers 160-amp alternator and 600-amp battery
• Driver- and passenger-side sliding doors with no glass (standard); no glass on driver side and fixed glass on passenger side (optional); or driver- and passenger-side sliding doors with fixed glass (optional)
• Halogen headlamps standard on all models
• Dual-folding exterior mirrors standard; power dual-folding, heated exterior mirrors optional
• Grand Caravan CV modified with body and tubs based on Stow ’n Go seating and storage system
• Optional Deluxe Convenience Group offering includes speed control and tilt-steering column
• Optional Interior Delete Group removes rear quarter trim, C- and D-pillar trim and rear floor silencers
• Advanced multi-stage driver and front-passenger air bags with Occupant Classification System (OCS)
• Driver-side inflatable knee blocker (inflates in conjunction with air bag deployment)
• Sliding Door Open/Light Flash feature activates exterior hazard lamps when sliding doors are opened
• BeltAlert enhanced seat belt reminder system for driver and front-passenger seat
• Loose fuel cap message on instrument cluster
• Optional Security Group offers alarm, remote keyless entry, Sentry Key® engine immobilizer, headlamp-off time delay and illuminated entry