One market segment that the minivan has done well in is the vehicle accessibility market, which provides custom ramps, lifts, and motorized seating options for drivers and passengers with special needs. The low ride height, voluminous interior, and sliding doors found in most minivan models makes them a perfect vehicle format for this purpose, and helps them fill a role that many other vehicle types can't. Dozens of companies like Viewpoint Mobility provide flexible transportation options (pictured) for people that have difficulty using traditional vehicles.

I've started putting together a directory of minivan accessibility options, which should go live next week. In the interim, I'd like to hear from some About.com Minivans readers that are currently using accessibility options with their minivans.

Are there certain companies you've had good experiences with? Do you have any advice for first-time buyers in the market for a wheelchair-accessible minivan? What brand and model of minivan have you found to be the easiest to find accessibility options for?

Click on the comments link below this post and share your thoughts.
_{Photo: © Viewpoint Mobility}

According to a story over at the Automotive News, pricing for the 2009 Ford Flex was announced to Ford dealers last week.

The 2009 Ford Flex is the replacement for Ford's outgoing Freestar minivan model, but eschews the traditional minivan format to embrace a boxier, large crossover layout. Pricing will begin at $28,995, but the Automotive News story indicates that most Ford Flex models will price out in the $30,000 to $40,000 range.

Ford has abandoned their minivan efforts in an attempt to tap into the new market for large crossovers, but the Flex is priced significantly higher than the Freestar that it replaces. General Motors has done with the same, with the Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook crossovers costing more than the minivan models they replace, while offering less interior volume.

So what do you think? Is the extra expense for a crossover worth losing out on some interior volume and passenger room? I've driven a few large crossover vehicles, and none of them has been able to match the interior space of most minivans.

Let me know what you think by adding a comment to this blog post.

Despite news to the contrary, the minivan will still be hauling groceries, plywood, labrador retreivers, and rambunctious toddlers well into the 21st century. The minivan segment as a whole may be declining somewhat, but Chrysler has been to quick to point out that--at least to consumers--Chrysler's new minivans are selling better than the models they replace.

According to a post by a spokesperson on the Chrysler media blog last week, Chrysler U.S. Minivan Retail Sales for February 2008 were up 8% over February of 2007.

"It is still only February and we certainly face strong headwinds from the economy and new non-minivan competition, " said Stuart Schorr, Chrysler's senior manager of sales, service and dealer communications. "But our new Town & Country and Grand Caravan are well equipped for the fight and are bringing in more new buyers every day. Keep that in mind when March sales results roll around."

Overall Chrysler minivan sales for 2007 haven't met expectations, but Chrysler's argument that more minivans are being sold to consumers (rather than being dumped on rental fleets) is a valid point.

• 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan [review]
• 2008 Chrysler Town and Country [preview]

_{Photo: © Chrysler LLC}

If you're in the market for a new minivan, arguably one of the most important categories of vehicle features you need to be mindful of is that of vehicle safety. All manufacturers have made immense strides over the last few decades in their ability to offer the latest vehicle safety features, and minivans are no exception.

In order to help you get as many safety features as possible in your new vehicle, I've put together a top 10 list of some of the best safety features to look for. Not all of these features are available on all minivan makes and models, but most of them are.

• Article: Top 10 Safety Features Every Minivan Should Have