Minivan sales slowed by gas prices and image

The pickup and SUV sales have sagged but what about the minivan?

Asked recently how the U.S. minivan market has been faring, Nissan's Dominique Thormann had a concise answer -- "It collapsed,"

While the rapid decline in pickup and sport utility sales has been grabbing the headlines, minivan sales have also taken a tumble, falling 20 percent in the first five months of this year.

Unlike trucks, which could rebound once the construction industry picks up, it's unclear if minivans have a future in the U.S. market or if they're being killed off by crossovers and the stodgy taint of the soccer mom image.

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