Official: Orlando To Replace HHR

The vehicle I've peppered Chevrolet chief Ed Peper with so many questions about is officially coming to the U.S. market in the 2011 calendar year. As I had speculated back in August, Mr. Peper confirmed today that the Orlando will replace the HHR. At least initially, the Orlando will be a seven-seater only and Chevrolet hopes have the claim of the most fuel efficient seven seater on the U.S. market. I had a chance to chat with Mr. Peper and he said that 30 MPG highway was the goal for the Orlando.

Where will the U.S. Orlando be built? Mr. Peper said that no decision has been made and furthermore wouldn't rule out the possibility that it will not be made in North America. You might recall the dustup that was created when the WSJ speculated that the Orlando would not be offered in the U.S. market after it was rumored to have been pulled from Hamtramck plant. The Orlando will be a global nameplate, a rather arduous task given all the trademarks that had to be checked.

As he has been in the past, Peper is very optimistic about this MPV. According to Peper, the HHR currently holds 32% share in its segment and Chevy hopes the Orlando will pump that number up even more.