Ford by shelving the C-Max seven passenger minivan for only low volume, expensive plug-in hybrid versions has given GM an opening here.
In 2009 a concept Chevrolet Orlando minivan appeared at the NAIAS. Orlando as it was called was based on GM’s Delta architecture and offered seven seat capacity, and with the right price a chance to get back into the minivan, people mover or MPV segments that the Japanese drove GM and Ford out of.
The production version of the Korean designed and Korean-built Orlando goes on sale in Canada this fall ranging from $20,000 – $30,000. With its 2.4-liter direct injected gasoline engine and a 6-speed manual transaxle, the Orlando is predicted to deliver the best fuel efficiency of any non-hybrid 7 passenger vehicle – 10.1 L/100km in the city and 6.7 L/100km on the highway. A 6-speed automatic is also available.
Chevrolet Orlando is a competitive piece – it’s Cruze derived, with all the latest technology and safety equipment and could easily be built in Lordstown, Ohio along with Cruze. Orlando is just the latest example of GM’s emerging commitment to do better than average vehicles – recognition, finally, that good enough is no longer good enough in global markets.
The interior flexibility and neatly design folding seats offers just the kind of practicality and economy or solid family transportation that Chevrolet was once renowned for.
If there’s a criticism it’s Orlando is too bland in exterior style, but the interior flexibility and neatly design folding seats offers just the kind of practicality and economy or solid family transportation that Chevrolet was once renowned for.
Unfortunately, U.S. buyers in Orlando or elsewhere won’t get a shot at Chevrolet Orlando because some executives inside GM are basking in the profits (at the moment) of the more expensive and fuel thirsty Chevrolet Equinox. ‘mericans like trucks and all-wheel-drive, it’s said, and those versions of the Equinox are giving GM some badly needed profits at the moment.
It’s one of those GM financial decisions that look good on paper at the time, but in my view represents the inability to take a longer term chance by attacking a segment GM’s not in. Ford, with its decision to shelve the C-Max seven passenger minivan, and offer only low volume, expensive plug-in hybrid versions has given GM an opening here. And that says nothing of successful entries such as the Mazda 5 or even the Scion Xb, and who knows what else.
