MPV
MPV is short for Multi Purpose Vehicle. The term is popular in Europe and elsewhere but not generally used within North America; minivan is the nearest equivalent. An MPV is a passenger carrying vehicle based on a car platform, and is generally a Renault Espace, launched in 1984 was the first MPV avaliable in Europe.
The North American concept of a "minivan" is very similar, except that the minivan classification implies a certain vehicle size while in Europe, MPVs vary in size quite a bit. Some MPVs are produced on quite small car chassis while others definitely fit within the minivan class.
The Mazda MPV is a model of MPV or minivan built by Mazda.
