GM small seven-seat van (Chevy Orlando, merged)

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Source:
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/18/spy-shots-u-s-bound-production-chevy-orlando/
 
Here are some pictures I took at the Chicago Auto Show last weekend of the Orlando (originally posted in a different thread):

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And a couple more:

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Notice the outer door handles. You don't physically open the doors, you push in on them and the door pops open by itself. It will either have a diesel engine, or diesel will be offered. I asked the demo lady if it would be offered in manual transmission, she said that basically they didn't know at this point. And pricing will be "competitive".

It's interesting, I'm really hoping that Honda or Toyota will enter this market in the US, would build interest in the Mazda5. For what it's worth I specifically asked the Toyota and Honda representatives if there were any plans to have a smaller minivan, a six-seater "like the Mazda5", in the US market. They both said "not at this time". My guess is that they are making a ton of money on the Odyssey and the Sienna (which are really nice full-size mini-vans (an oxymoron?)).

Here's a picture of me in Millenium Park with one of my sons, that silvery blob over my shoulder is called "Cloud Gate", the most cool sculpture I've ever seen. Millenium Park is on the lake front of Chicago, just north of the McCormick Convention Center where the auto show is being held (it goes through this weekend).

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Not so sure, the Orlando concept reminds me of the Mazda MX-Flexa concept, but the main difference I see here is that the Chevy concept looks better than the real thing (so far, even with the camo on, the wheels, fenders and mirrors look awkward)

The Flexa concept was nice, but I do believe the actual production car (2nd gen Mazda5/Premacy) looked better :)

Oh, and no sliders (yes, we have said that like 20 times already :D)

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2012 Chevrolet Orlando - Spied

Well, it seems that I'm not the only one who thinks the concept looks much better than the real thing

Chevy’s little bus is headed our way with styling watered down from the concept.

The taming of the concept’s design is unfortunate, as the concept promised a surprisingly attractive way to transport seven people.


At the Detroit auto show in January, Chevrolet announced that not only will its Orlando concept see production, but it will be sold in the U.S. in 2011, likely as a 2012 model. Such a short gestation period from concept to production is due to the fact that the Orlando displayed at the show and the one soon to be available in dealerships are both built on the platform of the 2011 Cruze, the small car set to replace Chevy’s Cobalt. The Orlando prototype spotted here gives a fair look at how much the pugnacious concept will change for production.

Although heavy camouflage covers the front and rear, the bare side sheetmetal gives away the usual distillation from show car to showroom car. The concept’s jutting rocker extensions and pronounced fender flares appear to be smoothed, leaving a less-inspired and more vanlike profile. The taper of the greenhouse remains, but the glass grows a little taller to accommodate real people inside. The taming of the concept’s design is unfortunate, as the concept promised a surprisingly attractive way to transport seven people.

Beneath the rear camo, the answer to how the Orlando concept’s funky recessed and pillarless rear glass will translate to production remains hidden, but we assume there won’t be a massive sunroof over the rear seats. While the front is likewise hidden under heavy wraps, the shrinking of the fender flares should be the only major change, and Chevrolet’s signature split grille is visible through the disguise.

Although it rides on the Cruze’s platform, we suspect the 140-hp turbocharged 1.4-liter from the Cruze won’t quite be enough to propel the larger and heavier Orlando—particularly with all seven seats filled. Whether Chevy will squeeze another 20 or so hp from the engine—which would pit it directly against the fours in the similarly sized Mazda5 and Kia Rondo—or install another, larger engine, is unclear at this point. The 182-hp 2.4-liter four from the upcoming 2010 Chevrolet Equinox is an intriguing possibility.


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Source:
2012_chevrolet_orlando_spied
 
Here's a picture of me in Millenium Park with one of my sons, that silvery blob over my shoulder is called "Cloud Gate", the most cool sculpture I've ever seen. Millenium Park is on the lake front of Chicago, just north of the McCormick Convention Center where the auto show is being held (it goes through this weekend).

Good pics Heat. Last time I went to the Chicago auto show was taking place @ the McCormick Convention Center, time flies it seems :)
 
Good pics Heat. Last time I went to the Chicago auto show was taking place @ the McCormick Convention Center, time flies it seems :)
It was at the McCormick Convention Center, Millenium Park is a little north of there and the city has a free shuttle (bus) on weekends between the Park and the McCormick Center (they want people to park there so they get the money - fine with me, I'd rather my parking money go to the City over some guy who happens to own a parking lot near McCormick Center). Plus the Chicago Art Institute has free admission in February.
 
Report: GM cancels plan to sell Chevrolet Orlando in U.S.

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Rumor has it that General Motors won't be selling the new seven-passenger Orlando here in the United States come 2011, or ever for that matter. According to Automotive News, GM has said that it will be skipping the people-mover in order to focus its attention on the models Chevrolet currently sells. Margaret Brooks, Chevrolet's product marketing director for small cars and crossovers, said that the company's current portfolio easily takes care of any family's needs.

While buyers in Canada, Europe and Asia will still be able to buy the new Orlando as scheduled, GM has decided to increase production of the Equinox, Traverse and Malibu here in the U.S. to make up for the missing model. The move is still somewhat of a shock, especially considering how hard GM was pushing the Orlando as part of its new product lineup just one year ago.

The decision to drop the Orlando does make sense, though. Despite the fact that the vehicle was based on the much smaller Cruze platform, it would be elbowing its way into an already packed showroom dominated by the likes of the popular Equinox. Those needing a little more space for their brood or luggage can still easily step up to a Traverse.

Meanwhile, Automotive News reports that the Cruze is still scheduled to begin production later this year.


[Autoblog]
 
So apparently us here in Canada can utilize this vehicle in ways Americans can't??? How does that make sense??? From what I remember, Nissan did this with the X-Trail, and well, that lasted 2 years or so!!
 
The Traverse is far larger and, I assume, more expensive. I'm not grasping the logic. More likely: GM's analysis found that there just isn't enough demand for this type of vehicle in the U.S.
 
So apparently us here in Canada can utilize this vehicle in ways Americans can't??? How does that make sense??? From what I remember, Nissan did this with the X-Trail, and well, that lasted 2 years or so!!

I guess it is just different tastes after all. Examples that come to mind:
- Rondo, gone in the US this ywar, still sold in Canada
- Acura EL (glorified Civic)
- MB B200

I've recently been to Montreal and ToronNo ;) and is amazing the amount of Mazdas around, including Proteges and Mazda5s. not so around the US...

BTW, The X-Trail has also sold in Mexico rather well
 
The Toyota Echo hatchback which was around for two model years before being replaced by the Yaris is another, in 2004, 42,000 Echos were sold in Canada while about 4,000 were sold into the US.

The first gen Acura EL was based off an upscale Civic under a different model name (Honda Domani according to Wikipedia) in Japan, the second gen Acura EL was an upscale Honda Civic period, and the current Acura CSX is based off the JDM Honda Civic sedan. The CSX Type S is pure awesomeness.

Mazda in Canada does not have the unfortunate connection to Ford like in the US so that has probably helped with its strong sales. The Mazda 3 has consistently been number 3 in sales in Canada behind the Civic and Corolla.

Back in the 80s to early 90s there was the Nissan Micra, a tiny little hatchback in 3 or 5 door formats. Apparently it is going to make its return to Canada and quite possibly appear in the US positioned below the Versa.

What I don't get is why Scion never made it to Canada. They're finally coming this fall but I always wanted a 1.5L first gen Scion xB.
 
The Chevrolet Orlando made its debut at the Montreal Auto Show last month, some coverage here:

http://www.canadiandriver.com/2011/01/15/chevrolet-orlando-debuts-in-montreal.htm
http://www.auto123.com/en/news/car-...d-first-impression?model=Orlando&artid=126791

To rub salt in the wounds to you Americans here looking for good Mazda 5 alternatives... the Orlando WILL come standard with a 6 speed manual transmission (guitar) mated to a 2.4L 178HP engine, a 6 speed automatic is optional.
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It's a good looking car if you ask me.
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Le derriere
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All exposed, looks a bit smaller than the Mazda 5 cargo space wise, but at least it has 7 seats.
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To rub salt in the wounds to you Americans here looking for good Mazda 5 alternatives... the Orlando WILL come standard with a 6 speed manual transmission (guitar) mated to a 2.4L 178HP engine, a 6 speed automatic is optional.

It looks all bulky (like a Chevy anyway), but the 6MT should rock indeed. The shifter looks strange, but hey, it has to come out of the dash to blend with the design, like the other MPVs...
 
With the man next to it in the third pic, the car doesn't look big at all. It's kinda Rondo-esque. I like it though.

Sorry didn't mean to sound so Nya Nya to the Americans, we're sorry you're not getting this car! But If you consider there is one Mazda dealer per 500,000 people, the sales work out to be 20 Mazda 5s per dealer per year in the US vs. 115 in Canada. Luckily for us, Mazda still thinks the US market is worth it. For Chevy and Kia, unfortunately not. :( but, you guys had Scion for six model years before Canada finally got it!
 
I like these tires better:

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though these are probably snow tires.

So... is this being offered in the US, or just Canada?
 
Just Canada. GM claims that the US is already well served with the Terrain and Equinox, which are also sold in Canada. I'm sure there will be a shift to smaller cars in the US but the auto manufacturers need to do a better job marketing these vehicles. They're all gunning for the high profit SUVs. :(
 
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