Secrecy of new Chrysler minivan said to be creating a buzz

Its design may be the best kept secret in Windsor, Ont., if not the entire auto industry, and that's creating a lot of hype for Fiat Chrysler's new minivan, say people working on the project.

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"People are stopping me and saying, 'Hey, Dino, Dino, have you seen the van? I've heard a lot of good things about it,'" Dino Chiodo, president of Unifor Local 444, says with a smile. "So it's all word of mouth right now, it's almost like a rumour. It's like a grade schooler trying to get information, is it wider, bigger, smaller, faster?"

Not much has been revealed about the 2017 minivan, assembled by nearly 4,500 workers working three shifts at the Windsor's Assembly Plant, where the minivan was born more than 30 years ago.

"Even going down the line, it's covered ... it has different types of material covering it so even if you tried to take a picture you wouldn't be able to recognize what it looked like," Chiodo said.  

Workers have been asked not to speak about the new design, and are forbidden from taking any pictures inside the plant, and with good reason Chiodo said.

"There's a will, with reference to making sure that cards are held close to the chest, so competitors don't get an edge, on building or get inside information on what your product looks like and what type of features your product has," he said. "I think it's an important component in the strategy of making sure when they do unveil the vehicle people really do get the whole awe sensation as to how beautiful it really is, how much work and engineering went into it." 

After some prodding, Chiodo did hint the vehicle is expected to be wider and lower to the ground, making it easier for those who have a challenge trying to step up into it. 

Secret creating a lot of 'splash' 

Tony Faria, co-director Office of Automotive and Vehicle Research at University of Windsor, has a slightly different outlook. 

"It's not overly important to keep the vehicle a secret because clearly you're going to introduce it into the market place and your competitors can acquire a unit of the produce and break it down and examine it to their heart's content," Faria said. "But not showing it kind of heightens the interest in seeing its introduction." 

He says that heightens interest and builds towards the unveiling of the product, which will take place on Monday morning at the Detroit Auto Show. 

"To create as much splash and media attention ... because the minivan has been a long running important product for the Fiat Chrysler Corporation," he said. 

There have been some teaser photos showing small portions of the vehicle, Faria said, but Chrysler has kept the final product under wraps. 

"There have been some spy photos that have come out showing camouflage versions," he said. "It's like the paparazzi who are always tailing well known stars...this just happens to be cars." 

Faria said Chrysler has revealed some details along the way. 

He said the minivan should be on the market in February with a price ranging between $26,000 U.S. and $45,000 U.S. 

Some features Faria expects on the new model:

• the vehicle will be a little bit bigger: wider, longer, taller.
• it will come in a plug in hybrid version.
• seats will be slightly larger than they have been in the past and likely to have a swivel component for easier entry and exit.
• a foot system for opening the sliding doors and the rear tailgate.
• a Pentastar V6 engine, but will have other engine options.
• it will return to eight passenger seating from seven.
• plug-in opportunities on all three rows for electronics.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, meanwhile, won't say a word.

"The reveal takes place at 7:30 a.m. on Monday at the North American International Auto Show [in Detroit]," company spokeswoman Lou Ann Gosselin wrote in an email to CBC.