Think that funky Chevrolet Orlando concept would do well in the U.S.?  GM apparently doesn't, as plans to bring the small seven-seater "mini-minivan" to Chevy's North American portfolio have been cancelled.

UAW Local 22 President George McGregor told the Wall Street Journal that the crossover, codenamed "Delta MPV7," was "no longer an option for us."  Local 22 represents the Hamtramck, Michigan, assembly plant where the vehicle was expected to be built.

Originally, GM hoped the compact people carrier, built on the next-generation Delta platform, would replace the aging Chevy HHR.  Based on its size and seating capacity, the Orlando could have offered competition to both the Kia Rondo and the Mazda 5.

This doesn't, however, spell the end of the Delta MPV7 program altogether.  Sources say the Orlando is still on the table for European markets, while an Opel version (aka the next-generation Zafira) may come to America as a Saturn.

In the meantime, Local 22 may quickly become involved with another Delta-platform vehicle: the 2011 Chevrolet Volt.  GM plans to build the plug-in hybrid sedan within the same facility.

Source: Wall Street Journal