REPORT: Union chief says plans to build Chevrolet Orlando in U.S. on hold
Chevrolet Orlando concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
General Motors is in survival mode right now; cutting staff, closing plants, and reworking contracts. The last thing the General likely wants to cut back on is product, but even new vehicles aren't immune to the chopping block.
Automotive News is reporting that GM has postponed production of the Chevrolet Orlando at its Detroit Hamtramck facility. Local United Auto Workers chief George McGregor informed AN that plant management informed him that the Orlando and a planned Opel variant will not be built at the facility later in the year. GM has neither declined or confirmed the Orlando's postponement (it could simply be built elsewhere), but North American President Troy Clarke mentioned at the Detroit Auto Show in January that the seven seat MPV would be headed for production in 2011.
McGregor did say that plans were full speed ahead for the Chevy Volt, however, as the range-extender EV is scheduled for production in November 2010. Both the Volt and the Orlando are based on GM's global Delta C segment architecture, which will underpin everything from the Chevy Cruze to the Opel Flextreme.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
why not the LS2LS7? 2:31PM (3/24/2009)
Maybe it's going to be built somewhere else?
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airswingman 2:50AM (3/25/2009)
ugly as hell. can all the americans have better taste?
the designer should ask their wives if they would buy it before they want to release them.......................
André 2:35PM (3/24/2009)
There won't be Opel Flextreme, as they showed the Ampera in Geneva. So let's replace this use of Delta.
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Steve Lopez 2:41PM (3/24/2009)
Isn't this replacing the HHR? Where is that built?
Is this another Korean offering? The Aveo has to be improved in quality of its interior and improvements are needed on the suspension as well.
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superman211 3:50PM (3/24/2009)
The ZR1 and the Aveo share the same interior. They did not change it for a $105,000 car they are not changing it for this thing.
Ugly little thing too. Fit is WAY WAY WAY better.
Shamdiddly 2:44PM (3/24/2009)
HHR is shipped up from Mexico.
In other news, GM announced that April 1st will be the start of the layoff announcements. 240 manufacturing jobs on the chopping block first.
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The Other Bob 3:21PM (3/24/2009)
This or another Delta product will need to be built on this line in Detroit, otherwise the limited numbers of Volts being built there won't necessitate keeping an entire line running. If the Lordstown Ohio line cannot keep up with all the needed production of the Cruze, this could support that production. I know the Lordstown plant has reached capacity at times of demand for the Cobalt.
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Auari 3:06PM (3/24/2009)
1 word "GOOD"
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Nude Love 8:58PM (3/24/2009)
I am going to have to back you up on this one.
It is a clearly Minivan, if you examine the spy shots, and with it's funky looks, I doubt it would sell well.
Just look at the Flex.
gslippy 9:56AM (3/25/2009)
I agree. Does GM really need another Blazer clone?
Robbie Paramor 3:16PM (3/24/2009)
Isn't it a bit like the Dodge Journey, only a little more extreme looking! Like a Journey on steroids!
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superman211 3:54PM (3/24/2009)
Looks funny but GM always makes cool concepts and then builds trash.
Nixapatfan 3:25PM (3/24/2009)
Bargaining chip, that's all it is. Every single one of their product delays are politically motivated right now. If the UAW wants future work, they might want to work with GM on cutting costs. Or maybe for the government, approve the rest of the bailout money or they import these from the country that wants GM the most.
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Dave 4:01PM (3/24/2009)
Why can't this just be the new HHR? I don't understand the need to let some models rot, while constantly introducing new ones that are similar.
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300Kid 4:30PM (3/24/2009)
Has anyone else been confused about the very existence of this vehicle?? I don't understand why Chevy/GM needs another 7-seat wagon/CUV/whatever now. Leave the new Equinox & Traverse to that and focus on other things. For example, the Spark or something like it because it could battle the Kia Soul, Scion and Nissan Cubes of the world.
In this same category: that new Acura wagon/CUV thing that's coming....what? MDX & RDX are not enough?? The BMW X6 & 5 series GT. And probably a few others......redundant!!
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alex 6:34PM (3/24/2009)
the lambda's and the orlando are very different vehicles. your question about why they have both is the equivalent of asking why toyota sells the yaris and the avalon when they both seat 5.
300Kid 11:47PM (3/24/2009)
Except that the Yaris and Avalon definitely play different roles, fill different niches at vastly different price points, (which means a very different group of people drive them) and w/very different MPG numbers. The Orlando is to be a 7-seater. I realize it's not based on the Lamdas (which are already spread over too many brands IMO, but that's another story) and is based on the Cruze, but still! I don't see Mazda selling too many 5's or Kia selling many Rondo's even as people abandon their SUVs and remain uninterested in minivans. If this is replacing the HHR, which I presume it is, then they got the styling right, because it's not corny anymore. But it also seems to have grown too big and too SUV'ish despite its smaller-than-Equinox size. Seems like it would steal sales away from the Equinox/Spark and maybe even a few from the Traverse. I just feel like, even though they're still selling something; is it worth all the expense when GM is spending money it doesn't have ramping up production and then marketing this thing? Honda does just fine with the Pilot & CR-V with its Element there for quirks selling against Scions and now Cubes & Souls. Those are also recognized nameplates, Chevy just needs the Spark and they're good to go. If there's no HHR replacement, who cares?
There's a dozen other scenarios for this platform too. For example if GM keeps Pontiac alive after all then why not throw them a bone? Hell, even Buick for those that feel the Enclave is a bit too large. An upscale, fuel efficient CUV that can carry 7 and park easily may be very appealing. Etc. Etc.
Tony 10:19PM (3/24/2009)
GM is getting out of building cars in North America period.
The evidence
Chevy Aveo- Korea
Chevy Tracker- Japanese parts assembled in Canada.
Chevy Optima-Korea
Chevy Epica- Korea
Pontiac Wave- Korea
Pontiac Vibe- Japanese parts assembled in California
Pontiac G8- Austrailia
Pontiac Aztek-Mexico
Saturn Aura- Germany
Saturn Astra- Germany
Buick Rendezvous-Mexico
I know I have forgotten a few.
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Dave 1:03AM (3/25/2009)
First off, half of those cars are no longer produced. Rendezvous, Aztek, and Tracker are long dead. The Optima (??) and Epica are not even SOLD in the US, and the Pontiac Vibe is basically a rebadged Toyota. The rest are based on cars that GM has been selling outside of the U.S. in foreign markets for years and years before deciding to bring them stateside. And don't get me started on the 30+ other models that ARE still produced in the US.
st34 1:28AM (3/25/2009)
Looks an awful lot like an Aztec to me. This regurgitation of ugly taken to a new level shows me that GM has learned nothing. Truly Sad. They may as well give their power train development along with the GMT 900 platform to Chrysler, close up shop and go the way of Oldsmobile.
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