Why don't they make minivans so you can roll down the rear windows?
OK, I've been told that at least one model - the Mazda MPV - has it as an option, but I'm wondering - what's the reasoning behind it? It's standard on any sedan and many 2-door models. And it seems like it would be easy enough to make smaller windows that you could roll down so as to avoid the wheel well.
Any ideas? Is there an actual design issue? Or is it a cost thing? Or just nobody seems to want it?
Good Answers (4)
David N
Technologist, Evangelist, Entrepreneur, Inventor ► Executive Consultant, CTO
Best Answers in: Using LinkedIn (229), Software Development (21), Computers and Software (20), Web Development (17), Customer Service (10), Staffing and Recruiting (10), Career Management (10), Small Business (7), Enterprise Software (7), Project Management (6), Quality Management and Standards (6), Starting Up (6), Accounting (5), Business Development (5), Organizational Development (5), E-Commerce (5), Computer Networking (5), Wireless (5), Business Analytics (4), Professional Networking (4), Certification and Licenses (3), Internationalization and Localization (3), Internet Marketing (3), Public Relations (3), Customer Relationship Management (3), Distribution (3), Market Research and Definition (3), Ethics (3), Telecommunications (3), Purchasing (2), Job Search (2), Mentoring (2), Mergers and Acquisitions (2), Compensation and Benefits (2), Corporate Law (2), Intellectual Property (2), Advertising (2), Writing and Editing (2), Corporate Governance (2), Planning (2), Non-profit Management (2), Manufacturing (2), Product Design (2), Franchising (2), Blogging (2), Regulation and Compliance (1), Travel Tools (1), Education and Schools (1), Freelancing and Contracting (1), Conference Venues (1), Budgeting (1), Venture Capital and Private Equity (1), Economics (1), Financial Regulation (1), Risk Management (1), Personnel Policies (1), Exporting/Importing (1), Treaties, Agreements and Organizations (1), Finance and Securities Law (1), Employment and Labor Law (1), Direct Marketing (1), Events Marketing (1), Graphic Design (1), Change Management (1), Labor Relations (1), Equity Markets (1), Inventory Management (1), Personal Taxes (1), Branding (1), Positioning (1), Biotech (1), Databases (1), Information Security (1), Information Storage (1)
Honda Odyssey rear windows go down, as do Toyota minivans.
As I understand it, the original reason for non-opening windows is the nature of opening/closing the sliding doors (especially before so many became power-operated) - if you went to "slam" them open, just as a kid stuck an arm through the window, the arm would get pinned between the window pillar and the rear door pillar - and likely broken. People were by nature more observant when closing the doors than opening.
Cost dominates this segment (due to price point competition; young families are notoriously cost sensitive, and these are the entry-level vehicles for growing families and others needing to have cost-effective transportation). An effective roll-down window in a sliding door drives up the price and drives down the reliability of the door.
Links:
Sam S
Chief Financial Officer, RJ Young Company
Best Answers in: Graphic Design (1), Ethics (1), Starting Up (1)
Several factors, some already mentioned but not all -
1. Demand for roll-down rear windows is near-zero. AC eliminated this experience for most people.
2. It's a big, heavy sliding door and adding a riser mechanism increases the weight. Plus everyone would want a POWER window, so now we are adding a motor and a wiring harness capable of tracking with a sliding door.
3. It's a big window, 30% or more larger than the front window. Glass is heavy, the riser tracks and motor would need to be robust. "Robust" in auto design terms equals heavy and costly.
My $.02.
Eric T
Engineering Program Manager at Teradyne
Best Answers in: Quality Management and Standards (1), E-Commerce (1)
Actually, one of the primary reasons is because of structural strength. In unibody car construction, the vehicle derives its structural strength from the sum of the components, rather than from a separate chassis or frame. Fixed auto glass is part of the unibody, and is a structural component. Movable auto glass is not. So every time you make a window moveable, you have to make up for the loss of structural strength elsewhere, by adding more metal, or simply live with a floppier vehicle. A "floppy" vehicle will shake and rattle more, and will have worse handling characteristics.
In engineering, everything is a tradeoff!
More Answers (10)
Alex C
Online Editor at The Successful Investor
Best Answers in: Government Policy (1), Staffing and Recruiting (1), Exporting/Importing (1), Writing and Editing (1), Commodity Markets (1), Branding (1), Career Management (1)
Maybe it's a safety issue? Kids in the back, less likely chances to fall out if you can only open the windows a bit as opposed to fully rolling them down?
Jeff L
Product manager
Best Answers in: Market Research and Definition (5), Product Design (3), Interface Design (2), Branding (1), Positioning (1), E-Commerce (1), Enterprise Software (1)
Don't have an answer, but the Mazda5 includes 4 powered windows standard -- though it's not really a true minivan, more like a blend of a station wagon, hatchback, and minivan. Maybe someone from Mazda can provide more detail since it seems like they're the only ones doing it.
Bernie S
Director, Restructuring and Turnaround practice,Leading Competitive Country business practice.
Best Answers in: Offshoring and Outsourcing (3), Budgeting (1), Staffing and Recruiting (1), Exporting/Importing (1), Change Management (1), Organizational Development (1), Personal Real Estate (1), Starting Up (1)
Scott,
There are a number of reasons, cost being just one.Additional issues include safety, styling and aerodynamics.
The MPV is more a cross-over than a mini van. As I recall its doors are sedan like, rather than sliders.
Sheilah E
Owner, ★SME Management:.......... Business Management and Accounting Consultant
Best Answers in: Using LinkedIn (884), Professional Networking (39), Staffing and Recruiting (30), Accounting (20), Government Policy (18), Job Search (17), Career Management (15), Ethics (15), Business Development (14), Customer Service (12), Mentoring (12), Education and Schools (10), Computers and Software (10), Property Law (9), Organizational Development (9), Small Business (9), Personnel Policies (8), Criminal Law (8), Advertising (8), Internet Marketing (8), Labor Relations (7), Non-profit Management (7), Starting Up (6), Blogging (6), Purchasing (5), Government Services (5), Compensation and Benefits (5), Tax Law (5), Lead Generation (5), Planning (5), Manufacturing (5), Quality Management and Standards (5), Web Development (5), Corporate Law (4), Direct Marketing (4), Writing and Editing (4), Corporate Governance (4), Change Management (4), Communication and Public Speaking (4), Professional Organizations (4), Software Development (4), Facilities Management (3), Regulation and Compliance (3), Travel Tools (3), Freelancing and Contracting (3), Auditing (3), Venture Capital and Private Equity (3), Economics (3), International Law (3), Internationalization and Localization (3), Treaties, Agreements and Organizations (3), Market Research and Definition (3), Business Plans (3), Information Security (3), Business Dining and Entertainment (2), Resume Writing (2), Government Contracts (2), Employment and Labor Law (2), Customer Relationship Management (2), Sales Techniques (2), Business Analytics (2), Derivatives Markets (2), Inventory Management (2), Project Management (2), Supply Chain Management (2), Individual Insurance (2), Personal Taxes (2), Personal Real Estate (2), Product Design (2), Pricing (2), Incorporation (2), E-Commerce (2), Enterprise Software (2), Computer Networking (2), Telecommunications (2), Wireless (2), Air Travel (1), Certification and Licenses (1), Occupational Training (1), Conference Planning (1), Budgeting (1), Corporate Debt (1), Financial Regulation (1), Risk Management (1), Exporting/Importing (1), Offshoring and Outsourcing (1), Customs, Tariffs and Taxes (1), Contracts (1), Finance and Securities Law (1), Viral Marketing (1), Graphic Design (1), Public Relations (1), Hedge Funds (1), Non-profit Fundraising (1), Philanthropy (1), Personal Debt Management (1), Retirement and Estate Planning (1), Wealth Management (1), Branding (1), Positioning (1), Energy and Development (1), Biotech (1), Information Storage (1)
All good answers so far. One additional problem was people who had the window part way down and then opened and closed the back door to hard and broke the window. I do believe safety was the main issue though.
Sheilah
I'm pretty sure that for most traditional minivan shapes, there's a large dead air pocket being dragged behind the car due to its relatively non-aerodynamic back end. That'll tend to hold exhaust gas close to the rear window. This is why pretty much every hatchback/station wagon has something in the user manual telling you that if for some crazy reason you feel compelled to drive without the tailgate completely shut, to open the front windows so that there's through-flowing air--otherwise you run the risk of exhaust gases getting in the "people space". That may not be the only reason, but I suspect it's a contributing factor. Minivans whose windows do roll down may have a different airflow profile.
John H
CEO, Grassroots marketing expert, speaker & commentator. Named one of top five "PR Professionals of the Year" by PRWeek.
Best Answers in: Using LinkedIn (1)
Well, I think it might be a safefy issue, but... not allowing it at all (as opposed to having a lock feature) seems kind of ridiculous. BUT... this does bring up an interesting anecdote from childhood....
I was in LA with my parents, on vacation, and we had a rental car with read windows that did not roll down. For years I've been wondering why (and maybe this group can answer it), but... I digresss. Anyway, we're going through Beverly Hills or thereabouts, looking for houses of the stars, and lo and behold -- there's Rita Hayworth!
So my sister and I get out, approach her, and ask for an autograph. She was incredibly friendly, just a real nice woman. Anyway, she then followed us back to the car, where most of the rest of the family was in the back seat. Of course, they were all excited, trying to say hi to her from there, etc. And as nice as she was, I could see what she was thinking in her eyes...
"If these people want to talk, why in the world don't they roll down that real window so I can actually HEAR them?"
Clarification added May 15, 2007:
Oops -- sorry, two typos -- should of course be REAR windows, not "read" or "real" as I have up there. Okay, no more answers from me until morning coffee...
By rear windows, if you mean the windows on the rear sliding doors, then yes, you can get that with some/most nowadays. I've always wanted at least a flip-open rear hatch window on ours, like on all the bigger SUVs, or ones that open to the side.
... Also, can they develop a stretch version with an extra row of seats?
Jack V
Associate Consultant at P3 Consulting Group
Best Answers in: Planning (2), Purchasing (1), Internet Marketing (1), Supply Chain Management (1), Blogging (1), Using LinkedIn (1)
I've wondered about this as well. I like what the others have added.
One thought I have always come back to: It's because regular vans didn't have roll-down rear windows. Note that you cannot roll down the rearmost windows in station wagons either. It's not that it can't be done.... It's just that it hasn't. And once something gets set in stone, it is very difficult to unwrite it.
The linked website explains that the MPV and the Toyota Sienna have a rear window that opens.
Links:
My 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a flip-up window. It's the only window with a sensor alert active when the vehicle is started. On oder alone, I believe part of the issue is noxious exhaust fumes infiltrating the passenger area.
The Toyota Minivan rolls down that way in the duel slider doors. The far back ones are still Vent style. But the huge door windows open make more than enough of a breeze.
The dogs love it!
