Autoblog

When GM and the UAW agreed to a new contract in 2007, several new models and the plants in which they would be built were agreed on. Drastic shifts in customer tastes are changing those plans rapidly, and the General is scrambling to deliver. GM was planning to build a seven-seat crossover based off its global Delta small car platform at the Detroit Hamtramck plant next year, but the Wall Street Journal is now reporting that the vehicle will no longer be produced for the US market.

The small MPV, which is being unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in concept form as the Chevy Orlando, will still be available in Europe where small seven-seaters are much more popular than here in the States. The small crossover will instead be replaced by a compact vehicle from Asia, possibly the Chevy Beat. However, GM never designed the Beat to meet U.S. crash-test standards, but hopefully the extra resources freed up by nixing the Orlando's U.S. launch could make that happen in quick order.


[Source: Wall Street Journal]

For the thirteenth year running, Mazda has created a number of vehicles for those with special needs to be showcased at the International Home Care & Rehabilitation Exhibition in Japan. The AZ-Wagon gets a lift-gate out back so that folks limited to wheelchairs can enter and exit through the converted rear hatch while still in their wheelchairs. The MPV Second Row Lift-up Seat (pictured) is also for those in wheelchairs, but those who have the mobility to sit in a conventional seat. And the Biante Autostep has, like an RV, a step that extends whenever the rear door is opened. All of the vehicles are JDM-only, but now that we know Mazda has this kind of expertise, we'd like to speak to them about getting a Kazamai with an ejector seat. Hit the jump for the press release.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Subaru Exiga.

When we showed you Subaru's new MPV last week your response was pretty much unanimous: man that is fugly. The car's reception on the other side of the Pacific has been a lot warmer though, particularly for the headlights' signature blue flash; the only criticism is that it's taken Subaru way too long to get this car to market.

Make the jump to read our initial impressions of the Subaru Exiga.

Gallery: Subaru Exiga Impressions

Gallery: 2008 Subaru Exiga

Photos Copyright ©2008 Justin Gardiner / Weblogs, Inc.

Brenda Priddy & Co have brought us the first glimpse of GM's upcoming 7-seat MPV. Based on the Delta global platform, it is said to be about the same size as the Mazda5. The person hauler is apparently the work of GM Daewoo (GMDAT), with R&D work carried out in Bupyeong, South Korea.

The vehicle will be offered for numerous GM brands around the world, though no one knows yet exactly which ones will get it. Chevy is certain, with Daewoo and Opel posed as logical outlets. Priddy guesses that this could even be the replacement for the Opel Zafira. It will most likely be built in the Hamtramck, Michigan plant. True, it's only a taped-up mule and there are parts missing – like the front end – but we hope GM doesn't go to far down the bland route in order to appeal to the widest number of global villagers.

[Source: Winding Road]

Although it's certainly not the sexiest thing to come out of Frankfurt thus far, the new Volkswagen Caddy Maxi MPV still deserves (a little) note. Produced by VW's Commercial Vehicles group, the Maxi Life is a step below the Transporter, built atop a 320 mm wheelbase and stretching a full 4,880 mm, the Maxi Life has all the practical conveniences you'd expect of your typical Euro-MPV, including sliding doors, rugged materials, and now, a set of third row seats.

Power will come from one of three engines, either a 1.6-liter gasoline-powered mill producing 100 HP, a 1.9-liter TDI making 103 HP or a new two-liter diesel that's making upwards of 140 HP.

While the commercial versions that ditch the windows will be released sometime in 2008, those of you pining away for an incognito people mover will be able to get your hands on the new Maxi in the early part of next year.

VW's full press release is after the jump.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Click image for gallery

Here in the States, if you want a people-mover from Mazda, you need to go the crossover route and pick up either the CX-7 or CX-9, or you can go for a compact minivan in the spiffy-looking Mazda5. In Japan, however, the MPV lives on, and it's a lot nicer than any of the editions we ever had. Today, Mazda announced the availability of -- long JDM name alert -- the MPV Bright Stylish M'z Custom. Powered by the automaker's 2.3L four cylinder driving either the front wheels (4-speed auto) or all four wheels (6-speed auto), the new trim level adds some shine in the form of a chromed grille and added brightwork all around, plus some extra skirting for a sportier appearance.

Inside, enhancements include things like extra leather trim, and outside, the car can be finished in either Pearl White Mica or one of two darker shades, including the black (or is it dark gray?) metal flake seen above. Mazda E&T (Engineering and Technology) is behind this creation, and pricing is set at ¥2,870,000 for the 2WD version and ¥3,140,000 for the AWD edition.

[Source: Mazda]

There's a whole class of small minivans over in Europe that we miss out on here in the US. Ford's got the great new S-Max, and Volkswagen's working on bringing a new version of its Sharan to market.

AutoExpress managaed to nab a new Sharan, due by the end of 2008, with one of its long lenses. These people movers are a smaller alternative for folks who need flexibility and utility coupled with an easy-driving, carlike demeanor. They'd slot nicely into the strata of the US marketplace under the ever-larger minivans we have on offer now. VW's got some catching up to the S-Max to do with their new Sharan.

For the current version of the MPV, VW and Ford teamed up to produce the Galaxy and Sharan models together in Portugal. By resting on its laurels, Volkswagen has been left in the dust while everyone else updated and refined their MPV offerings. Ford, for its part, has since brought out the S-Max and a new version of the Galaxy. Underpinning the Sharan is an adaptation of the Passat platform, and the MPV offers the same powertrain options as the Passat, as well.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Despite the protestation of General Motors and Ford, we believed the Chrysler Group's take on the minivan market's current state given at the Detroit Auto Show. According to the boys and girls from Auburn Hills, the market for Soccer Mom-mobiles will likely hold steady, and they hope to enjoy an even larger piece of the pie with their new Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country. But many automakers are picking up their ball and leaving the minivan market, and this interview with Robert Davis, Mazda North America's senior VP lays out the reasons why most automakers aren't willing to fight Chrysler in the segment.

Davis cites the fact that domestic automakers market minivans in such a way that it puts downward pressure on prices, which in turn hurts resale value and decreases the amount of money they can make for a company. CUVs like the CX-9, however, can command premium prices, retain their resale value better and are able to be sold with fewer incentives. Despite the fact that a new Mazda MPV was being developed for the Japanese domestic market (see the new model above, which happens to look great), Mazda officials decided against engineering a version for the U.S. market in favor of the CX-9, which is largely built using components shared with the Ford Edge CUV. The fact that Davis reveals the Edge and CX-9 have so much in common yet look nothing alike gives us hope that Ford can indeed produce two cars using the same mechanicals that aren't badge-engineered versions of each other.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Click for our gallery of 31 high-resolution photos

Mazda brought a ton of rides to the tuner-centric Tokyo Auto Salon this year. In addition to machinery like the CX-7 Bright Stylish Concept we brought you a few weeks ago and the Roadster (MX-5) Mazdaspeed M'z Tune Concept that Damon reported on earlier today, there are a host of other trick Mazdas prepared with a little help from folks like DAMD, Kenstyle, Pioneer (as Carrozzeria) and the aforementioned Mazdaspeed.

Nothing is off the table, so the range of models touches everything from the Mazda3 (Axela) to an ultra-lux MPV. The gallery shows all, and don't worry, each photo is labeled at the bottom so you'll know exactly what you're looking at. For a breakdown on each car (and a few we don't have shots of), follow the jump for the official skinny from Mazda. Enjoy.



[Source: Mazda]

click above image for high-resolution gallery

That fine Euro MPV, the Citroen C4 Picasso, will be shrinking in March of this year. According to Autoblog Spanish, visitors to the Geneva Motor Show will see a whole new vehicle rather than the 7-seat microvan they have come to know. In its place there will be a new C4 that is a bit smaller and capable of hauling only 5 people. The familiar 7 passenger version will still be around, and is rumored to be renamed the Grand Picasso. Besides losing two seats and a few inches of length, the new shorter C4 gets revised front and rear fascias that are a bit cleaner, as well as a smoother roofline. The interior and engine options should stay the same, however.

You can view more angles of the Picasso in this high-resolution gallery.

[Source: AB Spanish]