On March 3, Chrysler reported that February 2009 sales of the Chrysler Town & Country were down 32 percent versus February 2008. Dodge Caravan sales declined 19 percent in the same time period, according to the automaker.

Chrysler said the silver-anniversary-edition minivans are on sale now starting at $34,180 for the Chrysler Town & Country model and $31,995 for the Dodge Grand Caravan model. Prices include an $820 destination charge.

The appearance package includes "25th Anniversary Edition" exterior badging, 17-inch aluminum wheels with Mineral Gray painted accents, leather seating and the Stow 'n' Go seating and storage system.

The special Chrysler minivan is equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 and a six-speed automatic transmission. The special Dodge minivan gets a 4.0-liter V6 and a six-speed automatic transmission.

Chrysler noted that it has sold more than 12 million minivans since the vehicle debuted in 1983. Minivans have suffered from an image problem of late, with Wikipedia noting that they have become inextricably linked with "soccer moms." A soccer mom "is sometimes portrayed in the media as busy or overburdened and driving a minivan," it said.

(Enlarge photo)
Chrysler celebrates the silver anniversary of its minivan with special editions of the Chrysler Town