MotorAuthority

U.S. production of Orlando MPV on hold says union official

Posted Mon Mar 23 2009 9:48 AM by Ralph Hanson

GM is yet to confirm the news but the delays are likely given the company’s financial situation

While the likes of Audi and Daimler are surging forward with their product development, cash-strapped companies such as General Motors are having to abandon certain market segments and cut back on new model launches just to stay in business. The latest product cuts reportedly taking place at GM surround a pair of compact MPV models that were to be built at a plant in Detroit and go on sale by 2011.

The vehicles in question include the production version of the 2008 Chevrolet Orlando Concept, a compact van based on the same platform as the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze sedan, as well as an Opel badged version to be exported to Europe. Referred to as the Delta MPV7, the upcoming seven-seater MPV was originally slated to enter production later this year.

The Delta MPV7 was to be built on the same FWD ‘Delta’ platform as the Chevrolet Volt and Cruze sedans, all of which were to be built at GM’s Hamtramck plant in Detroit.

In an interview with Automotive News, the president of UAW Local 22, George McGregor, revealed that the project has been put on hold indefinitely. McGregor explained that tooling for the MPV7 had not been installed and no other preparations have been made. GM is yet to say whether the MPV7 vehicle program would be restarted or whether a different vehicle program was scheduled for the plant, he said.

The latest news brings into question the role that the future seven-seat MPV will play for GM’s North American division. Spy shots of prototypes testing in Europe confirm the car is in development, but now it appears production will likely be relegated to plants in Europe and South Korea.

Story Tags:

• Chevrolet
• Chevrolet Orlando Concept
• Concept cars
• Crossovers
• Delta MPV7
• Detroit
• General Motors
• George McGregor
• GM
• Hamtramck
• MPV
• Orlando

Reader Comments

• Tue Sep 9 2008 11:35 AM

  Laz says

  Will this be the HHR replacement?

• Tue Sep 9 2008 3:07 PM

  NoNameDenton says

  Damn Laz, you beat me to it, too bad we will not get the diesel, but maybe they would do an SS version if it comes here.

• Tue Sep 9 2008 3:31 PM

  Laz says

  I was thinking when I first saw this that it looks like a mini Isuzu Axiom...

• Tue Sep 9 2008 6:39 PM

  NoNameDenton says

  Your right, there is some cues from the Izuzu.

• Mon Sep 15 2008 10:08 PM

  Mike says

  Question to the author of the article: in what way are these photos, or the information for that matter, new? I see the same pictures and details that were released a week ago on Motorauthority and other sites.
  
  As for the Orlando, i like it and i hope it does come to the U.S. just as it is shown here, preferably with the HHR SS's turbocharged 4-cylinder engine .

• Mon Sep 15 2008 10:18 PM

  NoNameDenton says

  We should also get a panel van version like the current HHR has with a panel van SS version as well.

• Mon Sep 15 2008 10:33 PM

  admin says

  Mike, the rear shot of the concept was only revealed today as well as the information that Orlando will be a global model.

• Mon Sep 15 2008 10:50 PM

  Mike says

  Gotcha, thanks for the clarification

• Tue Sep 16 2008 11:35 AM

  Laz says

  Oh no! This thing has a Aztek rear end...

• Tue Oct 7 2008 12:52 PM

  Laz says

  This thing is starting to grow on me!

• Mon Mar 23 2009 2:53 PM

  NoNameDenton says

  I am getting sick of being jerked around by GM on their product plans