GM has been displaying the Orlando concept for some time. The diminutive people-mover either seats seven people or allows ample room for cargo. Since it is built on the same compact delta platform as the Volt (and Cruze) it has the potential to easily receive the Voltec propulsion system. Former GM vie chairman Bob Lutz even once indicated GM was studying a Voltec Orlando.
The car would also represent a chance for GM to re-enter the minivan market with a vehicle that even with a gas engine would be expected to get good fuel economy.
In January of 2009 GM announced it planned to launch the car in the US in 2011.
In a sudden about face, on Friday, GM’s North American President Mark Reuss decided to scrap the vehicle.
“The best thing to do for Chevrolet is to focus on the brands we’ve already brought to market: the Traverse, Equinox, Malibu and, soon to come, the Cruze,” said Marget Brooks, GMs director of small car marketing said. “We feel that with those vehicles, Chevrolet has plenty of options for the modern family.”
GM will still sell the car in Asia, Europe, and Canada.
By cancelling this car GM will make room for increased sales and production of the larger Traverse, and five passenger Equinox and Malibu.
GM was concerned the Orlando could eat into sales of these already popular cars.
So for those of you who have been hoping for a Voltec Orlando, your dream may have just ended.
Source (Automotive News)
+7
Apr 30th, 2010 (7:06 pm)OK, lets do a Voltec based minivan instead of the micro.
+15
Apr 30th, 2010 (7:19 pm)Interesting. So… How big was the Orlando going to be? I thought it was going to compete against the Mazda 5 which is now going to remain pretty much alone in that 6+ seat (actually) compact car segment? I just don’t see that sized car in competition with something like the Traverse which is really pretty big, despite claims it’s a compact SUV. My interpretation of compact may be more compact than GM’s (compact compared to WHAT?
)
As an aside, I always worry about companies that fear to release a product that they expect to cut into sales of their more higher-margin products. It’s not like some other company won’t be perfectly happy to come along and cut into sales of their more higher margin products.
+15
Apr 30th, 2010 (7:24 pm)The Voltech Orlando would have been a big seller for GM. Too bad the only way to promote the gas powered vehicles they already have is to not make a competing electric. Just goes to show you how much pent up demand there is for electric vehicles. Soon it will be time to abandon the gassers all together. Hope you are listening GM. The Volt will start a revolution and all you have to do is ride the wave. AND not be the last at it. Be first and stay first with competing electric models. You are still in a position to capture a very large part of the market if you stiffel the urge to keep making the gas hogs.
Take Care,
TED
+14
Apr 30th, 2010 (7:26 pm)A big mistake, IMHO. How sad.
+2
Apr 30th, 2010 (7:29 pm)PS really enjoyed your contact and interaction with Chelsea Sexton Lyle. She and I are good friends and we have had many conversations about electrics. She even voluteered to help me get a used RAV4 EV a while back.
Take Care,
TED
+9
Apr 30th, 2010 (7:31 pm)GM will still sell the car in Asia, Europe, and Canada.
By cancelling this car GM will make room for increased sales and production of larger people movers like the Traverse, and 5 passenger cars like the Equinox and Malibu.
GM was concerned the Orlando could eat into sales of these already popular cars.
So lets hope Aisa includes Australia and New Zealand hehehe.
OK, Toyota, GM has just let you off the hook for small(ish) 7 seater vans, go for it.
Unbelievable, this car might be popular so we won’t produce it. Well maybe in five or so years when we see the opposition has grabbed a large market share we will revisit the decision.
No wonder Chelsea was so “wait and see” the other day!
How many GOM’s do you need, GM, to convince you, you NEED to OWN this market segment (Voltec) while you STILL have the LEAD?
Sheesh, the dimming down of Voltec continues.
/Statik how about a cheery article on GM’s current losses to cheer me up?
//Your avatar has been doing voice overs with Nancy Cartwright. There, talking about something completely pointless, and I feel better already.
Apr 30th, 2010 (7:45 pm)Lyle,
“So those of you who have been hopeful for a Voltec Orlando , your dream has just ended.”
I think thats a little strong. The Chevy Orlando not being sold in NA is sad…. but there is a drastic difference between a 7 Seat micro-van in the Mazda5/Kia Rondo segment to the Voltec 5 Seat MPV or similar built from the next gen HHR type car. That type of car could still happen.
I also happen to think that canceling the Orlando was the wrong move overall. Ford plans on selling many cars off the next-generation Focus platform, including the C-Max. Developing true global cars should mean that it costs nearly nothing to sell an Orlando in the US.
+6
Apr 30th, 2010 (7:47 pm)Not a surprise. Having talked with a few GM representatives at auto shows. They share a phobia of competing with themselves. An example is how the low end Camaro takes sales away from the high end Malibu. I know for a fact that GM is concerned the Volt will take sales away from all the other $30k price range models. The Volt will without question take a considerable bite out of Buick sales.
I believe GM can use a seminar in connecting to the higher brain (at large). The universal consciousness. And begin to channel and relax into a positive direction. Dropping the paranoia and fear of the future. And simply doing the right thing. I know this is a leap. But it’s a healthy one.
Ramp up production to 300 Volt per day starting January 3rd 2011. Meeting the competition head on. A steel to steel clash. And may the best car win.
=D-Volt
+1
Apr 30th, 2010 (7:53 pm)I thought they were calling this the Volt MPV5? Are you saying they have no plans of bringing the MPV5 to production? Isn’t this decision still TBD?
As for the regular gas powered version of the Orlando, I probably wouldn’t buy this anyway, so I don’t really care if they sell in the U.S. or not.
+16
Apr 30th, 2010 (7:56 pm)My 86 vanagon all but died during cash for clunkers and I was essentially forced to buy a new Van (Woulda cost as much to fix as it cost for a new one with all the rebates). Do you know how many GM minivans I test drove??? Oh that’s right GM doesn’t make a minivan anymore and I had to buy a Dodge. I don’t want a crossover and I don’t want some behemoth that I have to climb over seats to get to a baby seat in the back. GM YOU DON’T SELL ANYTHING LIKE THE ORLANDO!!!! Following the Volt for all these years I WANTED to buy a GM vehicle even with the bailout and even never owning a single GM product in my life. This is a huge mistake and I don’t think I’ve read a worse piece of news on your site Lyle. Nothing to do now but drink
I’m sorry GM but you still don’t make anything I want (The volt isn’t for sale yet but hell yeah I want one)
+1
Apr 30th, 2010 (7:57 pm)On the other hand if it will be produced in other countries it gives GM a chance to really fine tune it and then bring it home.. The Mazda5 is a 6 passenger compact class mini van but it does not sell that well, so perhaps GM knows the market. The 4 cylinder Equinox actually gets better gas mileage… good candidate for a BAS+ system.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2008car2tablef.jsp?column=2&id=26466
http://mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsSpecs&vehicleCode=MZ5
+3
Apr 30th, 2010 (7:58 pm)I took the MP5 as something completely different than a voltec orlando. A 5 seater vs. a 4 seater isn’t that much of a difference to me but a 4 vs. 7 seater are two different animals.
+2
Apr 30th, 2010 (8:01 pm)Just where exactly do you think Canada is located?
Plus nowadays you don’t even have to remove the Daytime Running Light relay to sell a Canadian spec car in the US. They could sell it her on a moments notice.
+3
Apr 30th, 2010 (8:02 pm)Alright…here is a quick ditty to perk you up:
When GM kept Opel, they thought they could work out concessions with labor and governments in Europe. After being shut out by the governments, today they found out just how flexible the labour is. To ‘save costs’ GM decided to shut down a plant in Antwerp, Belgium, and after negotiating with the plant employess they agree on a number for termination benefits. The magic number? $530 million for 2,600 odd employees. /et le ouche
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE63T3OO20100430
—-
—-
Re: Orlando
The bright side of course is that I can still get a Orlando if I feel like, (= We seem to love our GM minivans in Canada. (I actually have a 2008 Montana that I use to haul schtuff around with, even though they got discontinued in the US in ’06) That and the Vibe was a really big seller here, and has left a hole in the lineup. (I also have a ’10 Vibe, lol)
/this is putting the old and busted 1.8L in the Cruze all over again…no Orlando in the US to protect the Equinox
//means the Granite on the Gamma II platform is probably going into production for sure
—–
—–
Canadian Dealers got this note today:
April 30, 2010
All General Motors of Canada Limited Chevrolet Dealers:
Today, Chevrolet announced that the United States no longer plans to include the Chevrolet Orlando in its product portfolio. I want to assure you that their decision has no impact on our plans to begin marketing the Chevrolet Orlando in Canada as planned, in the 2011 calendar year, as a 2012 model.
The Canadian vehicle market differs from the U.S. in that it has always been more heavily skewed to smaller vehicles, and has experienced significant growth in smaller Crossover/MPV segments. Orlando is a compact, fuel-efficient, seven-passenger multipurpose vehicle that combines the versatile attributes of a crossover utility, a family van and a wagon. This combination is just what many Canadian consumers are looking for.
In Canada, Orlando will be an excellent addition to our outstanding Chevrolet Crossover portfolio, complementing Equinox and Traverse. We look forward to great success with it later next year.
More details regarding our production, marketing and advertising plans will follow as they are finalized
+1
Apr 30th, 2010 (8:03 pm)Sorry for the senior moment, but what’s a GOM, again? I totally miss the reasoning that by being a success, Voltec models *shouldn’t* be produced. Why not cut back on the more traditional models, that to some eyes look like clones of each other NOW? I’d understand it more if they just decided to not produce the Voltec model, but if it’s already going to be manufactured…… HUH? Oh know, I know, bean counters have pretty severe tunnel vision, but that’s exactly why they should have something akin to AA. “Hello, my name is Darryl and I’m a “bean counter” (Group) “HELLO, Darryl”. Let *me* be one of their “sponsors”!
Sorry for the semi-rant, but passions run pretty deep sometimes. (g).
Be well,
Tagamet
LJGTVWOTR!!!***************NPNS (BTW GM that includes Malibu’s, etc).
+1
Apr 30th, 2010 (8:07 pm)I didn’t realize that was a requirement. My car has a “Canadian style” DRL module on it.
+1
Apr 30th, 2010 (8:12 pm)I’m sorry I just have to add since yes Lyle my dreams are crushed. I saw the Voltec Orlando/volt relationship as the VW Bus/bug relationship that worked so well for VW. Essentially the same platform but a little bigger engine to move a tissue box shaped vehicle that could hold 7 people a cat and a dog (My family vacations up the East Coast). 32 miles AER and 40 MPG’s woulda been a sure winner. The Volt has balls (The drive in NYC was awesome) and nobody expects a minivan to have a lot of power so the extra weight and slower 0-60 really won’t disappoint too many people in the market for a minivan. AHH this sucks. If it goes on sale up north I’ll have to look at getting it brought to the States. With all the people shuffling at GM going on over the last year what are the chances Mark Reuss gets canned and they fill his position with Bob “the pink tied visionary” Lutz.
+3
Apr 30th, 2010 (8:13 pm)I think this is a mistake. Voltec needs to be in all vehicles. The Orlando would have been fairly easy to do and add to the Voltec line.
What a shame.
+2
Apr 30th, 2010 (8:15 pm)Note to US Government:
You (we) own 61% of a car company. Use that power to push some economy cars, and cars that use no gas, on a population that doesn’t think they want them. You push so many other unwanted things on us, why can’t you at least do this. Plus doing this couldn’t even be considered unconstitutional or illegal.
+2
Apr 30th, 2010 (8:15 pm)Many of the people that will buy a Volt would not have considered a GM car otherwise, myself included.
There’s a lot to be said for this type of mentality. If you go with your gut, it usually turns out alright. That said, it’s probably better not to bet the company on leaps of faith like this. It should be a calculated risk.
I like the spirit, but they need to ramp up a little slower to work out the kinks. 10,000 model 2011 Volts is the right number, and 60,000 for the 2012 model is right also. But for the model 2013 Volt, which will probably start selling mid 2012, I hope they can surpass 300 cars per day (100,000 per year). I also hope the Volt MPV5 is selling by then…
+1
Apr 30th, 2010 (8:16 pm)Hi Statik,
Our posts crossed, but this make things even LESS clear. What makes Canadian drivers so different from the “Lower 49″ (g)? Will we be able to come up there and buy one of these (if the back seat lay down they’d make a great “make-out” vehicle)? Any word on numbers? With all the GM “reasoning” going on (or not), maybe they’ll make more than the Volts! Color me confused (read “normal” for me).
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
+1
Apr 30th, 2010 (8:33 pm)Thanks for your thoughts.
My re: is what I have said all along. Don’t make the mistake of thinking the Volt exists in a vacuum. Strong competition is quickly assembling. Will there be an opportunity for a GM ramp up in 2012/13? Will “EV” even come to mind when GM is mentioned in 2012? The “gamble” is in the delay. Producing, is the victory.
Worse case scenario is that GM will need to lower the price $2000 per Volt to maintain product flow. This is still a good thing for all involved. Mr GoodWrench will be established. And the “green” community can embrace other EV from GM. To delay is to risk missing the boat forever. Then it’s “bye bye” as the ship disappears over the horizon.
=D-Volt
Apr 30th, 2010 (8:37 pm)Wondering on Orlando’s mpg as it should be higher than Equinox ( 35 high way ? )
I am sure my next car will be a hybrid or a range extender EV unless eestor comes up with a successful product .
+1
Apr 30th, 2010 (8:39 pm)GM just needs to take the existing Equinox and put the Voltec EV drive system in it. We would buy that today…there would be a Huge Market for that vehical!!!!
+1
Apr 30th, 2010 (8:59 pm)GARFIELD ON THE OIL CRISIS
A lot of folks can’t understand how we came to have an oil shortage here in our country.
~~~
Well, there’s a very simple answer.
~~~
Nobody could to check the oil.
~~~
Our OIL is located in:
~~~
ALASKA
~~~
California
~~~
Florida
~~~
Louisiana
~~~
North Dakota
~~~
Wyoming
~~~
Colorado
~~~
Kansas
~~~
Oklahoma
~~~
Pennsylvania
~~~
New Mexico
~~~
Montana
~~~
Utah
~~~
Mississippi
~~~
Utah
~~~
Texas
~~~
Our dipsticks are located in DC.
+1
Apr 30th, 2010 (9:22 pm)I thought the Orlando was going to replace the Chevy HHR, which has been a poor seller for the past year. If it were not for big rebates and deep discounts, it would not sell at all… At least not around here.
If this is true, then Chevy should can the HHR. Maybe that would help Cruze sales.
+5
Apr 30th, 2010 (9:25 pm)“The best thing to do for Chevrolet is to focus on the brands we’ve already brought to market: the Traverse, Equinox, Malibu and, soon to come, the Cruze,” said Marget Brooks, GMs director of small car marketing said. “We feel that with those vehicles, Chevrolet has plenty of options for the modern family.”
You’re wrong, Marget. What option do you have for the one car, single guy who runs to Home Depot a lot and hates to buy gasoline? The Vibe? Check, got one of those already and oh, gosh, GM killed that model off. The Volt’s longer length and compromised cargo handling, vs. the Vibe, will be compensated for by the lack of gasoline consumption in my particular daily drives. The lack of a micro-hauler like the Orlando won’t get me to buy one of those other oversized examples of rolling group-think.
Right now, for me, it’s Volt or nothing from GM.
+1
Apr 30th, 2010 (9:41 pm)Bummer. This thing had promise.
+6
Apr 30th, 2010 (9:59 pm)I just don’t see the average Chevy driver being a prime a prime candidate for a Volt. My guess would be, based on the demographic info about drivers, that 80% of Volt buyers are now driving a Honda, Toyota, Prius, or some Japanese or German luxury brand.
What’s comical is the notion that the entire universe of potential Volt buyers own GM vehicles. Not likely. In fact Lutz has consistently said that the Volt is aimed at “educated professionals living on the coasts”. How many of these folks have a GM vehicle today? Six? Plus the reality of current business is that if you don’t compete with yourself some other company will. It’s way too late in the game to be thinking that your products live on some kind of island.
Apr 30th, 2010 (9:59 pm)The gas price? Lower Canada gas price barely starts where Hawaii ends
http://gasbuddy.com/
+4
Apr 30th, 2010 (10:06 pm)Gsned57: I’m sorry GM but you still don’t make anything I want (The volt isn’t for sale yet but hell yeah I want one)
Do you get the feeling that the “new GM” is rapidly turning into the same old conservative stick in the mud “old GM”? Maybe Ford will make something for you. It certainly is not afraid to go out of the box, the Edge and Flex being two vehicles that spring to mind.
-1
Apr 30th, 2010 (10:22 pm)No Orlando for you crazy Americans then.
GM must rapidly align their EV business plans in congruence with the Nissan LEAF. The Volt is a step in the right direction but its sales will still pale in comparison to other Hybrids such as the Prius. Wake up Government Motors.
+2
Apr 30th, 2010 (10:25 pm)I think The Who said it best:
“Meet the New Boss, SAME AS the Old Boss…WON’T BE FOOLED AGAIN !!!!”
+6
Apr 30th, 2010 (10:31 pm)I agree Don. And typed a very long and inspirational reply aimed at helping GM. I won’t post it. Because I don’t feel it will matter.
=D-Volt
Apr 30th, 2010 (10:49 pm)The only part that is missing is if you intend to “force” people to buy these cars. GM can be told to make them, but will people buy them?
+4
Apr 30th, 2010 (10:55 pm)+1 right there. The ONLY reason I’d ever buy a GM vehicle from now on is if it is an EREV.
I’m in the market for a mini-van. I don’t “have” to buy one yet, but if anyone comes out with even a hybrid mini-van, I’m buying. Even better if it is an EREV. I figure I have 3 years and then I will “have” to buy, and I’d rather not buy a regular one. I’ll probably try to buy a used one to cover the gap until an EREV is available.
+1
Apr 30th, 2010 (11:07 pm)Welcome to Canada, Orlando!!! Bring some sunshine…
Apr 30th, 2010 (11:23 pm)When Americans realize that they don’t need larger vehicles, and start demanding lighter vehicles, then maybe GM will give us a vehicle like the Orlando EREV. Here in South Texas, the Ford F150 gets bigger and bigger!?! Everything here is bigger.
Eventually the upward trending price of gasoline will bring about this change in consumers. In the mean time, we can all watch GM’s competitors find their way into the EV market. At the moment GM is preoccupied with getting profits up for the coming IPO; once they are making a overall profit, IMHO, we will see that shift towards more and more EV models.
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
+3
May 1st, 2010 (12:00 am)Toyota has made a hybrid minivan – and it’s cool, very cool – for two generations, working on gen3.
That was the vehicle I needed and wanted badly for my family , but I just could not wait any longer, and relented, buying a Prius and SQUEEZE my family of four inside it. I do enjoy the higher mileage marks, however.
It really twisted my nipple that Toyota reps at every auto show I attended could not explain why Toyota never made a Sienna hybrid, being that it wasn’t that the “magic seat” in back would not allow a battery pack underneath, since hybrid Highlanders have said battery pack and said “magic seat”- folding, disappearing rear kiddie seat. Especially frustrating since both are based on Camry underneath – which also sports a hybrid version!
After some time, I figured out ( I know, I’m slowww ) that Toyota NA just didn’t want competition for it’s larger Sienna at it’s larger size and profit margin ( Estima ), and a Sienna hybrid would be pushing 50k and would not sell in numbers.
Seeing the MPV5 Volt sold in China, Europe and not here will just plain be a big slap in the face. Odds are, as I’ve predicted all along, it will be built in a Chinese factory.
Yesterday, even though I asked the question TWICE, Chelsea Sexton would not answer my direct question posed to her re: HER OPINION on the odds GM won’t use Volt as pure halo dust – and only manufacture a scant few thousand. All I asked is her opinion, yet nobody wants to step on the General’s toes. Later I posed the question to the rest of us: “WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE THE ODDS ARE, TRULY IN YOUR HEART, THAT GM WILL BUILD VOLT or MPV5 in any volume?”
Nobody responded, except one who said it’s unfair to ask that question.
HUH?! There is this prevailing feeling here on gm-volt.com that we have to walk on eggshells here or somehow we will lose our place in line for our Volt! L
L .
Come on guys —- Grow some! ….. I am going to ask that question every single day here until a few people actually give their honest opinion on Volt’s chances of getting out there in numbers.
How is it unfair to ask people to speak their mind? What are you afraid of?
Nobody here needs or owes GM anything. This is not a GM site. It’s not just fan boys sitting around schmoozing GM hoping they’ll come through. Honestly, the transparency GM has shown re: Voltec has been unprecedented and magnificent. But no amount of test drives, videos and “reaching out” — to EV-1 owners or EV aficionados makes it any more real that more than 5 – 10,000 Volts will roll off Hammtramck then it’s all over. Volt is expensive. Volt will lose money for awhile.
GM needs to prove it’s the New GM or the same ole same ole – and the ONLY WAY they can do that is not with press conferences, transparency of development or PR drives.
THE ONLY WAY GM CAN REPAIR OLD WOUNDS from the ’20s – ’30′s campaigns to get thier buses and cars to replace electric streetcar-train infrastructure, the Corvair farse, the lousy quality ’80′s and the EV-1 debacle ’90s —- to BRING US FOREIGN CAR BUYERS back into the fold — is to build Volt and Voltecs that seat more than 4 — and build them in volume.
OTHERWISE this site, and all it’s excellent visitors is just pointless. The electric car age will come, GM or no GM. If they want to lead then they have this chance. Chelsea was right in that there will be no third chance at forgiveness.
So again I ask. WHAT IS YOUR OPINION – WHAT ARE THE ODDS GM WILL BUILD VOLT IN NUMBERS? And Why? ——————————————————————————————————————————————————
RECHARGE! James
IF YOU BUILD THEM THEY WILL COME.
+1
May 1st, 2010 (12:02 am)Here is a picture of the gen2 Estima. Toyota’s hybrid minivan I would have purchased, along with umpteen thousands of others….But they just will not sell it over here ( USA ) – and they won’t build a Sienna hybrid…..sigh….. I want mine to plug in.
RECHARGE! James
IF YOU BUILD THEM THEY WILL COME.
May 1st, 2010 (12:13 am)$200k per terminated employee?.. thats incredible.. that has to be several years of full pay.
May 1st, 2010 (12:18 am)Americans will balk a paying the hybrid premium if there is also an ice version available.. gas has to get back into the $4-5 range to change that behavior.
+2
May 1st, 2010 (12:20 am)“GM was concerned the Orlando could eat into sales of these already popular cars.”
I hope they show as much concern for other makers cutting into sales as the Orlando would have. Because they most certainly will if GM is afraid of reducing their margins by introducing a competitive product and other makers introduce / refine theirs instead.
Looks like one more step away from introducing another Voltec iteration, for now.
May 1st, 2010 (12:33 am)You know, I don’t buy that at all. I’m a Prius owner, I bought the pricey, fancy one with all the bells and whistles, bigger tires and wheels, leather, nav – the whole enchilada. It wasn’t cheap. People criticized me, but my big thing is to get off foriegn oil and to set an example. Nobody gave me a hard time when gas here in Seattle got to over $4.50/gal in ’08. That said, look around you. Not sure about your neck of the woods, but where I live you can’t toss a rock in any direction without hitting a Prius – even after Toyota’s big stumble and the bad economy, 2010 Prius are flying off the shelves and gas isn’t near it’s mid-summer peak.
Look at Lexus’ RX SUVs. They’ve sold strong. The RX is just a ponied-up Highlander hybrid, itself not cheap- and they’re selling very strong…very strong, indeed. People in Seattle aren’t any more green than anywhere else, yet hybrids here sell like hotcakes. There are minor truths like, for instance, how HYBRID-SPECIFIC models like Prius sell best, and not spinoffs, i.e. Fusion, Camry or the extinct hybrid Accord. Yet that has nothing to do with higher-priced hybrids not selling unless gas is high. Today I counted eight GM Hybrid articulated buses up and down the highway near my home! Hybrids sell now – and gas as of today is not near $4.00!
I mentioned earlier why Toyota won’t sell the Estima hybrid minivan here. It is for the exact same reason cited in todays article re: Orlando: The Estima would cut into Sienna’s market. Sienna is a NA only market model, large in size because Americans buy large, larger than Estima ( about midway in-between a Mazda5 and Sienna in size ). It’s price in Japan and Asia is about what a Highlander hybrid costs here. Over 3/4 of Highlanders I see in my local supermarket parking lot are the hybrid model. Toyota won’t build a Sienna hybrid, even though it too is on the Camry platform – because, as I said THAT VAN would be pricey ( +/- 50k ). The Estima at it’s current pricepoint in Asia would SELL LARGE HERE.
The MPV5 would sell very well here – Most likely much more than Volt — thus raising even more questions….GM why won’t you build them?
RECHARGE! James
IF YOU BUILD THEM THEY WILL COME.
May 1st, 2010 (12:34 am)Not a problem I live in Washington State and I live only a 130 miles from the Canadian border though would you have to be a Canadian resident to purchase one hmm?
May 1st, 2010 (12:37 am)Gulf of Mexico, i.e. the current spill.
May 1st, 2010 (12:49 am)Though I am not interested in buying one of these vehicles I was only wondering if a US resident could buy one if they aren’t far from the border but I hope that GM does bring more small fuel efficient cars in the future plus maybe electric range vehicles in the next era or two just saying. Let’s get the Volt wheels rolling for a better and cleaner future for green transportation please GM don’t give up on us Americans please and I mean it period!
-1
May 1st, 2010 (12:50 am)Hey Sean, let’s practice our Canadian, ok? We’ll stroll into our Vancouver, B.C. Chevy dealers and say “How’s it goin’ eh? – How ABOOT them Canucks, eh?”…. L
L . Maybe if we set up dual citizenship papers they’ll sell us an MPV5 eh?
RECHARGE! James
IF YOU BUILD THEM THEY WILL COME.
May 1st, 2010 (1:03 am)I don’t know much about the Orlando but I imagine it would be about the same size as a Vibe?
I own a 2009 Vibe and it is a fantastic car and was a good seller for GM. Don’t abandon this market segment.
May 1st, 2010 (3:27 am)Ouch. Well, at least Canadians get the beast even if ‘mericans don’t. Looks like a good car to me. Maybe ‘mericans are only going to get the Voltec version?
+1
May 1st, 2010 (5:02 am)Huge crowds expected at LA’s immigration march
The Associated Press
Posted: 05/01/2010 02:15:14 AM PDT
Updated: 05/01/2010 02:17:15 AM PDT
LOS ANGELES—Tens of thousands of demonstrators are expected to take to downtown streets Saturday to call for immigration reform and protest Arizona’s new immigration rules.
Maybe Volt-Orlando demonstrations should be organized.
-11
May 1st, 2010 (5:03 am)(click to show comment)
May 1st, 2010 (6:01 am)I’m surprised that she didn’t answer, too. Granted, she was on a Volt fansite. Maybe she feels the worst, but doesn’t want to dampen ANY EV enthusiasm. I confess to writing a fairly pointed question regarding what GM had to do to actually convince *her* that they were serious, but I have a high-tech mouse that just bristles with extra buttons – bumped one and the post was erased. Probably Divine intervention. Chats always have a solid firewall because the guests can choose the questions they are comfortable answering – or waltzing around.
I still have faith that if we here at gm-volt.com can keep taking the high road and remain civil, GM itself will hear us and at least know how we feel. Ms. Sexton is far from a GM spokesperson, JMO.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
+3
May 1st, 2010 (6:12 am)Well, I’m going to be the unpopular person in this thread, because I can see the reasons for not building this vehicle in the US.
I know that some of the posters would have liked the Orlando, but that doesn’t guarantee the volume needed to make a profit.
My point here is that we don’t know GM’s overall plans. I think it is safe to say that Americns like larger vehicles, and GM has catered to that market over the years with trucks and SUV’s.
Thus, GM is developing strong products in these segments. The Equinox gets the best fuel economy in its class, yet has more interior space than most of its competition. GM recently added a 3rd shift at the factory to keep up with consumer demand.
If GM plans to introduce a plug-in 2-mode in the Traverse in the near future, it may well get over 50 mpg, have much more room than the Orlando, better acceleration, yet actually cost no more than a Voltec Orlando. I forsee most consumers opting for the Traverse.
So I am hoping the reasons for excluding the Orlando from the US market is not due to conflicts with existing products, but actually due to the greater market appeal of products that are soon to be offered by GM.
May 1st, 2010 (6:25 am)No idea what the odds are, it all depends on the public buying them.. if the LEAF and Volt do well I am sure GM will increase production if they can make a profit at it.. if they are only a loss then what is the point of increasing production?
The Volts halo effect is a plus for GM, and if it helps CAFE even better. Its really not a conspiracy, it all depends on the public.
May 1st, 2010 (7:08 am)If only it was ablaze, that would be the good news. Alass the news from here on will only get worse.
Will it affect our opinion of gas? Today the plate on my Prius “BADGAS” seems even more appropriate!
+1
May 1st, 2010 (7:14 am)If an EREV Orlando does make it to Canada I’ll go up there to buy it but yeah I think they’re making a huge mistake. I could see their point if they had a Chevy Orlando, a GMC Orlando derivative, and a Buick Orlando derivative they might not need a Caddy Orlando derivative but they don’t make a minivan anymore. They have nothing in that class. I’m pretty amazed that there were so many others on this site that feel like I do about the possibility of an EREV Orlando. Lyle, I think we need a new poll that asks if an Orlando EREV, Volt, silverado EREV, and Traverse EREV all came out at the same time and were approximately $10K more than their non-EREV cousins what would you want to buy. I guess something would have to be in their ab out AER going down as the vehicle got bigger but I’m not convinced the Volt would win.
+3
May 1st, 2010 (7:15 am)Strange how opinions change around here. A few days ago everyone was screaming for GM to build the MPV5 here. Just because the concept car was introduced in Beijing doesn’t mean that GM has no plans to build them here.
Now everyone is blasting GM for not building the Orlando, just maybe it is because they are looking ahead at filling that market segment with the MPV5. Which would you prefer, the Orlando or the MPV5? Probably not practical to build both.
+7
May 1st, 2010 (7:19 am)Could canceling the Orlando mean that GM is instead planning to introduce the similar-sized Volt MPV5 in the US?
WOW —I sure hope so!!!
May 1st, 2010 (7:24 am)#54 Bill R:
Just wanted to say good post and hope your thoughts are correct in that GM has better products in mind when they cancel a vehicle like the Orlando or (dare I mention) the Cadillac Converj. It’s tough when you can’t see the big picture.
May 1st, 2010 (7:28 am)Us older folks could care less about GM having just another crossover, minivan, suv, whatever. The Volt is the only car I care about and will be the last car I ever buy.
May 1st, 2010 (7:40 am)OT
I hope I’m wrong about seeing a trend developing where 50 mpg vehicles (hybrids), are tolerated by the powers that be, but 400 to ∞ mpg vehicles (Voltec), are downplayed as being too expensive and low demand.
-1
May 1st, 2010 (7:46 am)That’s sure what would make sense to me. It might be confusing to offer the same or similar body type and dimensions to the public that: a). mostly still do not understand what Voltec is,
and b). would possibly not understand why they may not able to get the Voltec electric drive system “installed in it”.
Also, the weight of 6 or 7 passengers could really be a problem for the technical limitations imposed by the battery manufacturer, because if fully loaded up with 6 or 7 people, that could actually be 6 or 7 adults for approximately about 800 to a thousand pounds. So, we might keep those basics in mind when GM needs to conform to the battery manufacturer’s specifications for Voltec electrical demand.
But I think it has to do with having all possible resources devoted to going Voltec, because all the economics make sense.
And even now, the catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico could ruin a vast proportion of our fish stocks for the next few years. “Drill baby drill” mantra’s as have been posted here on this site are not in fashion the last few days to put it mildly.
National economic security requires Voltec. It would be absurd for anyone in governmental leadership to not know this! GM needs all the total and complete governmental fast-tracking and green-lighting that it possibly needs ASAP!!! The consumer conforming to what the systems need for us to be responsible owners (no abusiveness), may be the indirect or direct lesson we need to adopt because of this catastrophe in the Gulf. This is because it may come about that this catastrophe may push the envelope for GM senior engineers to “green light” the faster production of far, far more Voltec vehicles for our national economic security. If that is to be the case, and far more Voltec vehicles are produced to be made available for us,
*****************************************************************************
then it is only fair for us to be careful in not “tempting fate” by only demanding normal usage patterns from the vehicles.
*****************************************************************************
Don’t you think so?
+1
May 1st, 2010 (8:18 am)this is old GM thinking, and evidence to me that the Volt is ‘just’ a halo car, and not a true change in thinking …
May 1st, 2010 (8:21 am)It may be that some of the questions not answered are related to the content of the sequel.
I asked “What would you pay for a Volt?”, but there was not an answer for me either.
I did not appreciate the last statement that “there was no filtering of questions”, because some people had more than one of their questions answered, which I felt was not fair.
I look forward to seeing the sequel though, and, I fully expect it to be positive.
Hindsight being “20/20″, I also fully expect that a more sharp insight into where the antagonist motives had been (clarifying the last production), and, portraying GM to really have been the protagonist (working their butts off to try to make the EV1 economically long-term viable), it will be really interesting to see what comes about with the sequel.
And, I fully expect to do a “line-by-line” technical examination of everything portrayed.
+2
May 1st, 2010 (8:22 am)3 – 4 – 5 different Voltec-based autos spread across all of ‘New GM’ brands makes a market segment.
Only 1 VOLT will make it an oddity.
C’mon GM. Go back to Plan A !!!!
May 1st, 2010 (8:48 am)Glad to hear it will still be sold here!
It looks like a promising vehicle, provided it’s not $35 000 like some of the other ‘crossover’ vehicles out there…
+1
May 1st, 2010 (8:57 am)I’m probably not the best person to ask since I have zero interest in mini-van style vehicles.
GM needs to revamp the Colorado to get my interest. Mini pickups are more interesting to me than mini vans. With Dodge dropping the Dakota, this leaves an opportunity for those that don’t want a giant F-150. Heck, I can’t even lift my groceries into an F-150/Ram/Silverado. The lift-over is just too high for us older folks. I can’t even see into the bed of a Ram and I’m 6′ tall!
Give me a nice, small, but capable pickup (preferably Voltec) and ya got my money. It’ll be interesting to see what Chrysler/Fiat comes up with in this segment.
May 1st, 2010 (9:04 am)Equinox plug in or voltec is my preference. Remember the Provoq concept ?
May 1st, 2010 (9:18 am)+1 on both your posts. I’m in the same situation. I’d buy one if it was here.
+1
May 1st, 2010 (9:19 am)Is GM’s new CEO dithering? He gives lip service to the idea of bringing the Volt out early, then we learn very limited availability might be available in October. Meanwhile, Toyota continues to march toward a massive (20,000 to 30,000) release of the Prius PHV in 2012. GM works on the Orlando, but shortly after Toyota says a Prius minivan is coming, the Orlando bites the dust.
Go Volt, floor it GM.
May 1st, 2010 (9:21 am)I’d say a lot of people are convinced that the gas price will come back up and would like to make a smarter purchase so they don’t get caught again when it does come back up.
May 1st, 2010 (9:33 am)There are other brands in the GM portfolio besides Chevy. Seems to me this vehicle would make an excellent fit as a Buick. Business is like poker, you never show all your cards.
May 1st, 2010 (9:34 am)Post says “The best thing to do for Chevrolet is to focus on the brands we’ve already brought to market: the Traverse, Equinox, Malibu and, soon to come, the Cruze,” said Marget Brooks, GMs director of small car marketing said. “We feel that with those vehicles, Chevrolet has plenty of options for the modern family.”
?
The sentence does say “already brought to market” but then adds Cruze, so why not Volt?
Perhaps she just forgot about Volt, for a moment
+1
May 1st, 2010 (9:57 am)Constructive honest criticism should be welcome. Everyone agrees they want it, it’s just sometimes hard to take when you get it. LOL
I think all the evidence points to GM looking to build 50K a year. My guess is that GM management, which seems to have their eyes firmly fixed on the rear view mirror, would conclude this would be a success. To me this number would be a disappointment and they should be aiming at double or even triple this number. I really don’t think these guys have a clue about the possibilities, and their apparent continued use of traditional focus groups and consumer surveys isn’t going to help. (Ya think Apple uses these? You just get known answers based on what people are used to, which is useless for truly innovative products. Think about Lutz’s “insight” that 83% of those surveyed would prefer not to run out of battery power. Do you think you needed a survey to figure that out?) But what do I know?
May 1st, 2010 (10:01 am)I agree— all signs point that way. The good side is that it is 50,000 more than now
+3
May 1st, 2010 (10:03 am)GM may well have good reasoning for not selling the Orlando in the US but it was not presented here. This is one of the worst examples of misguided corporate-speak we have seen here to date. Better to say nothing or simply state that it doesn’t fall within their strategic goals than to dump this load.
Hope this changes soon but GM is sounding like a EV version of the Soup Nazi:
-NO CONVERGE FOR YOU
-NO ORLANDO FOR YOU
-NO VOLTEC FOR BIGGER OR SMALLER
-NO VOLT VOLUME FOR YOU
-NO TWO-MODE CUV FOR YOU
-NO BEV FOR YOU
Three years later and they’ve cancelled soft hybrids, done little to economize and build volume of 2-mode. Enough is enough. Time to put up or shut up (down) GM.
-Bring the Volt and push toward high volume. Mesning spread it across the nation as much as posdible as soon as possible so public awareness and demand is there for production when you can bring it.
-Introduce next priduction intent Voltec.
-Introduce your first production intent next gen BAS (BAS+) vehicle.
-Intriduce the receiver of 2012 model year receiver of plug-in two-mode you promised last year (no, a token large Caddy with very low production doesn’t count)
-Introduce a two-mode pick-up or SUV that is within $6k of the least expensive ICE-only base model
Sorry folks, my patience is gone.
May 1st, 2010 (10:04 am)When one reads the new CAFE rules
http://www.nhtsa.gov/DOT/NHTSA/Rulemaking/Rules/Associated%20Files/CAFE_11-15_NPRM_April_21.pdf
one sees that gm is better off keeping current customers in their present, larger vehicles. One might have expected a CAFE benefit to gm from customers moving to smaller vehicles, but it is not there, so in effect it’s an incentive to stay with a size that is a proven success.
May 1st, 2010 (10:16 am)Unfortunately the existing battery technology does impose limits. I take GM at its word that the Volt is about the maximum sized vehicle which could use the existing EREV drive train. However, how would you feel about an Traverse or, even better, a Silverado that ran on natural gas? You could fuel it for the equivalent of 75 cents a gallon, never use a drop of oil, and fill it in your garage. I honestly don’t understand why GM or Ford doesn’t move in this direction rather than trying to use expensive batteries that don’t provide much bang for the buck. Natural gas just uses all the existing parts — you just have to swap out natural gas tanks for the gas tank. And a benefit is that natural gas burns so cleanly that the engine will last longer.
To me using natural gas in trucks make the most sense because batteries are not really up to the task and generally speaking the 300 mile range of a natural gas vehicle would be sufficient for most daily driving. You tend not to take the pickup on family vacations, although natural gas vehicles in Europe usually run on gas as well as natural gas so range wouldn’t have to be that big of an issue even for a vehicle like the Equinox or Traverse.
May 1st, 2010 (10:16 am)Frank Boca Raton FL 9.5KW PV Solar system.
Sorry to here GM is scraping The Voltech Orlando, the chevy volt is seats only 4 seater, I need a 5+ seater SUV.. I Planed to buy a Nissan Leaf untill I herd about the Voltech Orlando. I think GM is Making a nother mistake abanding the Voltech Orlando
May 1st, 2010 (10:45 am)That was my thought as well.
I am guessing that the Volt powered Orlando is not totally scraped either. I think GM is stalling so they can see where the battery technology is going. That size of van you would need a larger pack or more efficient pack to make it cost effective for a van. Remember most families that own a van are families that can’t afford to drop $50,000 for one. It probably does not make sense for GM to build something that only a few would buy. Get costs down and it will be a winner.
GM also realized that a Orlando van will compete against the Traverse and Acadia which also seat 7. They cut Pontiac and Saturn because of competition with themselves so why start it all over again?
May 1st, 2010 (10:52 am)Compete with themselves? Really? I don’t think so. GM has NO small SUV and definately not a strong hybrid or Voltec type SUV. The SUVs that are a little smaller than the giants are still too big. Think, dare I say it… Rav4 or CRV. I guess I will have to give my money to another company – hopefuly an American company. Too bad because I really wanted to support GM.
As some others have said, is this the old GM comming back? Hope not…
GM needs to rethink this. Where do they get the data to make this type of decision?
Thanks for the good info.
+3
May 1st, 2010 (10:59 am)I want the Volt MPV5!!!
+1
May 1st, 2010 (11:30 am)I have been a Volt fanboy for quite some time now.
I contribute from time to time here on GM-Volt.com. I’m on “The List”.
Now for my dirty little secret.
I really don’t want a Volt.
I want Voltec in an SUV.
Volt is magnificent, but doesn’t suit my lifestyle.
I’m in my third JEEP Grand Cherokee.
80% of my driving is just me.
20% is hauling people, AV equipment, stuff, kayaks, bikes, towing boats, etc, etc, etc.
That 20% is crucial. Professionally and personally.
A Voltec SUV is my real dream vehicle.
I’m so ashamed. Am I now going to be voted off this site?
May 1st, 2010 (11:43 am)There are two ways of looking at this. One, SOMEONE will build an EREV SUV that people can own outright. Second, people can always buy a Volt and later trade in on a (GM?) SUV. Many here share your preference of the SUV vs sedan. You won’t get a negative vote from me.
=D-Volt
+2
May 1st, 2010 (12:02 pm)Under the circumstances, perhaps GM should change the name of the vehicle to “Ontario.”
May 1st, 2010 (12:04 pm)#59 Yeah, me too. +1
-1
May 1st, 2010 (12:09 pm)#63
Now replaced by “Spill baby, spill!” +1
Too bloody right!
May 1st, 2010 (12:11 pm)Why are the vultures so eager to circle on a bad news day? Oh yeah, another concept “died.” It’s GM’s sad devotion to this not-ready-for-prime-time hydrogen technology which is responsible for a lot of our recent bad EV news, IMO.
May 1st, 2010 (12:14 pm)#66
I heard that! +1
Maybe the MPV5 will really plug up the gap for the Orlando. Works for me. I have advocated for a Voltec small pickup, but could get by with a CaptJackSparrow trim level microvan. The Volt is just not going to work for my daily hauling around of car parts, etc. A family car for the wife? Perfect. A work car for Noel? Not so much.
+2
May 1st, 2010 (12:19 pm)#78
Going bankrupt is not a proven success.
May 1st, 2010 (12:23 pm)#85
Me neither.
May 1st, 2010 (12:33 pm)#22
Amen. +1
Our local paper reported further yesterday on BYD’s arrival in LA:
“Chairman Wang Chuan-fu said the firm plans to emphasize green energy efforts, including the development of low-cost solar panels for houses.
‘BYD stands for build your dreams’, Wang said. ‘We have three dreams for here.’
First is developing low-cost solar panels, second is growing throughout the country, and third is the prospect of assembling electric-hybrid cars in the United States.”
My comment to GM? “Don’t look back, something might be gaining on you.”
+4
May 1st, 2010 (12:36 pm)Combined with other recent (bad) news, I’d have to conclude that the most likely possibility is that neither one gets produced.
Remember, the Orlando was primarily a gas powered product, with a Voltec version as a remote possibility. Given that it was a Cruze platform derivative, it’s hard to fathom their decision to cancel it, Voltec aside.
MPV5 is speculative enough all on it’s own — it may not be produced in China, even. Given the fate of the Converj, it appears to me that Volt is GM’s pointedly one and only EREV experiment, as things stand today.
May 1st, 2010 (1:08 pm)#94
Sigh, probably true. +1 for reality check, even though I hate it.
May 1st, 2010 (1:53 pm)+∞
May 1st, 2010 (2:28 pm)Funny but true. +1
May 1st, 2010 (4:04 pm)I can’t see myself driving any of these vehicles! No high-efficiency powertrain options and, frankly, these vehicles are just way too conventional for me… The Traverse and the Equinox in particular are vehicles that just disagree with my personal taste. And the Prius in my driveway matches my needs better than a Malibu ever could…
The Volt is interesting, and the MPV5 is interesting too. But those are about the only vehicles in GM’s lineup that could work for me. The Colorado could be interesting if it had a diesel engine — or any kind of alternative-fuel option, really.
May 1st, 2010 (4:29 pm)Don’t forget the look alike Opel Ampera and the Holden whatever.
+1
May 1st, 2010 (7:26 pm)Given that it will no longer be offered in the U.S., How about naming it the “Vancouver”, the “Toronto” or the “Montréal”? Or the “Kuujjuaq” while we’re at it?? lol.
May 1st, 2010 (7:47 pm)Why is the option of two vehicles out? I have a F350 that I only drive when I have a reason to. I drive it probably 15% of the time.
May 1st, 2010 (8:15 pm)Well my Friend,
Gas is already at 3.00/gal. With the accident in the Gulf, I bet it will hit $4/gal before Memorial Day. Any bets out there how hi it will go?
May 1st, 2010 (9:50 pm)I think you’re right on here – the Orlando (without Voltec), with gas climbing and expected to continue climbing over the next several year, is a no brainer.
I’m afraid the new executive leadership is back to making the kinds of bad short term planniing decisions old GM did, which the previous management had lived through and appeared to have learned not to do. If I had to bet one way or the other, I’d wager that we’ll be seeing these guys maintain planning for 50/60k Volts a year through 2015, no other Voltec vehicle types and probably no EV’s now in the US.
It’s like these guys weren’t even around for what happened to the auto industry in 2007/2008 (oh yeah, the CEO wasn’t) and are treating that like a one time event not a portent of things to come.
Truly sad and disappointing to watch.
May 1st, 2010 (10:36 pm)lol Canada is part of NA
-3
May 2nd, 2010 (1:57 am)Frankly, everyone is assuming that battery only electric vehicles will become affordable when there is nothing solid to base such an assumption on. The government needs to step in and say, in 10 years time, any cars and trucks that need diesel or gasoline will be unacceptable. The technology to go 300 miles on a fill of hydrogen already exists and it is only a matter of political will to get to a hydrogen economy at this point where the vehicles that use hydrogen are both affordable and available. A very brief hydrogen enriched gasoline or diesel stint would work with most vehicles that are on the road today and this makes a lot more sense than corn based ethanol.
Please people, get educated and STOP assuming that hydrogen is not an answer for land vehicles when in fact hydrogen is the ultimate answer. If the government would dedicate a mere $500 million to get an initial nationwide hydrogen refueling infrastructure built, there would be results. This would be a better investment than the bank bailouts.
May 2nd, 2010 (4:39 pm)Your term “get educated” will be taken quite offensively by many on this site. The only reason you’re not getting a pile of thumbs downs is because this thread has petered out. Try it again on a fresh diary and you’ll find out…
I think hydrogen is a crock for the following reasons:
Hydrogen has horrible energy density. Even if hydrogen is compressed to 10,000 PSI, it has 1/5 the energy density of gasoline. That means it is a HUGE and HEAVY tank to carry the necessary energy.
Hydrogen is only a fuel carrier. Right now 90% of the hydrogen comes from fossil fuels. Burning hydrogen is only trading one tye of fossil fuel for another. Worse, hydrogen comes from natural gas. I hear plenty of claims about how much domestic gas reserves there are here, but the reality is that we are importing more each year. It is hard to argue with that reality: I don’t want to trade one middle east energy source for another.
May 2nd, 2010 (4:41 pm)Oh, and the point I missed:
The hydrogen fools have stood in the way of electric vehicles. For some reason, they seem to have stronger sway over top management.
May 3rd, 2010 (7:11 pm)Chevy Equinox suvs have put over a million miles on HYDROGEN in the 100 vehicles in NY LA and DC… and since they built those vehicles in 2007 GM has cut the size of the fuel cells in half while decreasing costs.
Hydrogen IS the fuel of the future and there is more than one way to create Hydrogen.. including from solar electricity.