Editing Minivan (section)

==Europe==
{{More citations needed|section|date=February 2022}}
{{Multiple image
| align             = right
| direction         = vertical
| width             = 220
| image1            = 1989 Renault Espace TXE 2.0 Front.jpg
| caption1          = 1989 [[Renault Espace]]
| image2            = 2001 Citroen Synergie SX HDi 2.0.jpg
| caption2          = 2001 [[Citroën Evasion|Citroën Evasion/Synergie]]
| image3            = 2004 Vauxhall Zafira Life 1.8 facelift.jpg
| caption3          = 2004 [[Opel Zafira#Zafira A (1999)|Vauxhall Zafira A]]
| image4            = Mercedes-Benz V 250 d Exclusive AMG Line Lang (V 447) – Frontansicht, 29. Juni 2016, Düsseldorf.jpg
| caption4          = 2016 [[Mercedes-Benz V-Class]]
}}

In Europe, the classification is commonly known as "MPV", "people carrier",<ref>{{cite web |date=2014-10-25 |title=Top 100 Cars 2014: Top 10 MPVs (people carriers) |url= https://www.driving.co.uk/car-reviews/top-100-cars-2014-top-10-mpvs/ |access-date=2022-06-11 |website=Driving.co.uk from The Sunday Times |language=en-GB}}</ref> or officially M-segment,<ref name="EEC Merger Procedure" /><ref name="CP" /><ref name="PF" /> and includes [[van]]-based vehicles and smaller vehicles with two-row seating.<ref>{{cite web |date=2015-04-01 |title=History of Toyota's compact MPV models |url= https://mag.toyota.co.uk/history-of-toyotas-compact-mpv-models/ |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=mag.toyota.co.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=What is an MPV (multi-purpose vehicle)? |url= https://www.parkers.co.uk/what-is/an-mpv-multi-purpose-vehicle/ |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=parkers.co.uk}}</ref>

=== History ===

==== 1980s ====
The 1984 [[Renault Espace]] was the first European-developed minivan developed primarily for passenger use (as the earlier DKW and Volkswagen used their commercial van platforms in a minibus variant). Beginning development in the 1970s under the European subsidiaries of Chrysler,<ref>{{cite book|title=How to Design Cars Like a Pro: A Complete Guide to Car Design from the Top Professionals |last=Lewin |first=Tony |publisher=Motorbooks International|year=2003|isbn=0-7603-1641-4}}</ref> the Espace was intended as a successor for the [[Matra Rancho]], leading to its use of front-hinged doors. While slow-selling at the time of its release, the Espace would become the most successful European-brand minivan.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.topgear.com/car-news/renault-espace-your-life |title=Renault Espace, this is your life|date=23 April 2015 |website=topgear.com|language=en|access-date=3 April 2019}}</ref>

Initially intending to market the Espace in North America through [[American Motors Corporation]] (AMC), the 1987 sale of AMC to Chrysler canceled the plans for Renault to do so. In the late 1980s, Chrysler and Ford commenced sales of American-designed minivans in Europe (categorized as full-size in the region), selling the [[Chrysler Voyager]] and Ford Aerostar. General Motors imported the Oldsmobile Silhouette (branded as the Pontiac Trans Sport), later marketing the American-produced [[Opel Sintra|Opel/Vauxhall Sintra]].

==== 1990s ====
In the 1990s, several joint ventures produced long-running minivan designs. In 1994, [[Rebadging|badge engineered]] series of [[Eurovans]] was introduced, produced by [[Sevel Nord]] and marketed by Citroën, Fiat, Lancia, and Peugeot. The Eurovans were built with two sliding doors; the gearshift was located on the dashboard to increase interior space, and a petal-type handbrake was adopted. In 1995, Ford of Europe and Volkswagen entered a joint venture, producing the [[Ford Galaxy]], [[SEAT Alhambra]], and [[Volkswagen Sharan]] minivans, featuring front-hinged rear side doors.

In 1996, Mercedes introduced the [[Mercedes-Benz V-Class]] as a standard panel van for cargo (called Vito) or with passenger accommodations substituted for part or all of the load area (called V-Class or Viano). In 1998, the [[Fiat Multipla]] was released. A two-row, six-seater MPV with a 3+3 seat configuration borrowing its name from [[Fiat 600#Multipla|an older minivan]], it is notable for its highly controversial design.<ref>{{cite web |date=28 August 2008 |title=The 100 ugliest cars: 20-1 |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/2754226/The-100-ugliest-cars-20-1.html?image=18 |website=telegraph.co.uk}}</ref>

Market reaction to these new full-size MPV models was mixed. Consumers perceived MPVs as large and truck-like despite boasting similar footprints as large sedans. Arguably, cultural reasons regarding vehicle size and high fuel prices were a factor. During 1996 and 1997, the Western European MPV market expanded from around 210,000 units to 350,000 units annually. However, the growth did not continue as expected, resulting in serious plant [[overcapacity]].<ref name="SM" />

Renault set a new "compact MPV" standard with the [[Renault Scénic]] in 1996, which became popular. Based on the C-segment [[Renault Mégane|Mégane]] platform, it offered the same multi-use and flexibility aspects as the larger MPVs but with a much smaller footprint.<ref name="SM">{{cite web |title=The reasons why full-size minivans don't sell in Europe |url= https://www.just-auto.com/features/the-reasons-why-full-size-minivans-dont-sell-in-europe/ |website=just-auto.com |date=30 May 2000 |access-date=15 August 2023}}</ref>

==== 2000s ====
After the success of the Renault Scénic, other makers have developed similar European-focused products, such as the [[Opel Zafira]] that offered three-row seating, [[Citroën Xsara Picasso]] and others.<ref name="SM" />{{clear}}