Chevrolet Orlando Discontinued In Canada For 2015 Model Year
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General Motors has discontinued the Orlando in Canada for the 2015 model year. The Orlando, which is also sold in select European markets, was brought to Canada in late 2011 to compete with rival MPVs such as the Mazda 5 and Kia Rondo.
In an emailed statement to Good Car Bad Car, GM Canada product communications specialist George Saratlic confirmed “2014 was the last model year for the Chevrolet Orlando in Canada. There will not be a 2015 model.” The model is no longer listed on Chevrolet Canada’s main website page and will soon become a rare sight on dealer lots.
Canadian Orlando sales were strong out of the gate, with 7,199 units sold in 2012. That was enough to edge out the competition from Mazda and Kia, but it didn’t last. In 2013, Orlando sales fell 68%, which was followed by another 48% sales drop in 2014.
The Orlando was never sold in the U.S., as American GM engineers wanted to include additional features such as knee airbags, which would have raised the cost, according to TTAC. Canadian consumers are also more open to the idea of small cars and hatchbacks, making a good case for Gamma II-based Orlando in the region. Despite this, MPV sales have been weak in recent years, with Kia and Mazda also choosing to axe the Rondo and 5.
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Why didn’t Chevrolet step in and stop GM from discontinuing their van?
If they had made this on an all wheel drive platform, there is a chance it would have survived. We had plenty of customers interested in this vehicle until they found out it was just a front wheel drive. People wanted an economical people mover that was also good on ice and snow; unfortunately traction control wasn’t a good enough system for those who had their minds set on an SUV because of AWD abilities.
A federal bail out for the Orlando is in order. If it’s not economically viable anymore, then it must be the victim of unforeseen market dynamics and inadequate suppliers. The Orlando is too big to fail.
Well this vehicle was going to die as the platform is the old Delta platform the Cruze is built on.
The problem with this vehicle was it was just a modern version of the HHR. If they had brought it here it was going to cost more than most people here would have paid if you had put in AWD etc. Also GM was not going re engineer the old platform for it when it was only going to be around 4-5 years more.
Besides the Caliber sales at Chrysler may have also given them the indication that there really was little interest as that one tanked in the US market due to not a car people wanted and poor quality.
This was just another platform and vehicle that was in the transitional years of Old GM and New GM. It much like the present Malibu were new cars to buy time till a new platform was ready.
Once the new Malibu arrives and Cruze you will see why they did not fully invest in these models anymore than they did.
No automaker can revamp everything at once and at times they have to make do with what they have to work with and that is the case here.
At times you have to dig deeper to how car companies are run, how platform programs are handled and how new models are funded. Then you have to factor in the design studio time and engineering man power to finish each project.
GM needed more work than what they could do at once and that is why we are seeing so much change. It also is why projects like the Nox, Terrain and Cruze were slowed down as GM went to finish other projects on models in greater need of help like the Malibu and Regal.
When we were looking for our family car the Orlando was on our list, till I found out it was made in Korea. I ended up getting something made in Canada instead.
I went to the car show locally a couple of years ago , sat in the new GM products , the 2013 Malibu and Orlando interested me . The Malibu front seat was cozy but the back was a mess , only 5’11” my head hit the roof ridge line so the only way to avoid it was to sit near the middle , it felt like a compact car . The Orlando was disappointing , the interior was mainly black throughout and not very refined dash , just a forgettable experience . The Orlando was my choice in body size but when I factored in a trip to the USA as we sometimes do , the thought of what kind of quick service would be available in the US , where this vehicle isn’t sold , any thought of buying one disappeared .
Vehicles like this contributed to GMs weak reputation so ours good that the program is ending.
GM is a huge company ehich can be a disadvantage when it Conrad to refreshing a line up.
They are lucky that models such as .nox, Terrain and Enclave have help up so well.
I purchased my 2012 Orlando, in 2014 and other than the lack of AWD, the only other issue I have would be the poor visibility, due to the wide door/window posts n the fact that the only view space were obstructed by the rear seats head rests, which I’ve removed. The windows are rather narrow, from top to bottom, but that is common in a lot of modern designs, unfortunately. Works great, once one is used to the extra (6th) gear and is awesome on fuel.