Could Chevrolet offer Chinese-made Orlando mild-hybrid in PH?

Apparently, the Chevrolet Orlando MPV is still available in China with a turbocharged inline-three

Remember the Chevrolet Orlando? It was Chevrolet's attempt at the MPV segment in the 2010s and it went up against the likes of the Kia Carens. Sadly, it never caught on (at the time) in the Philippines and was eventually discontinued locally.

For the longest time, we thought Chevrolet pulled the plug on the Orlando name outright after it was quietly removed from the local lineup. But to our surprise, the MPV is now on its second-generation and is now assembled and sold in the Chinese market.

It now features a sleek new look similar to that of the all-new Blazer and Tracker, a six- or seven-seat configuration, as well as a sporty 'Redline' variant. But what caught our attention is its powertrain.

Instead of a naturally-aspirated 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, the new Orlando now has a 1.35-liter turbocharged Ecotec inline-three. It puts out 158 PS along with 230 Nm of torque. It can then be hooked up to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. For 2020, Chevrolet introduced a 48V mild-hybrid system that consists of a 48V electric motor, a battery pack, and a hybrid module management system.

With the mild-hybrid system in play, Chevrolet claims the Orlando is now capable of having an average fuel consumption as low as 16.4 km/l. It presents a nine-percent improvement over the standard turbocharged powertrain. Also, the 48V mild-hybrid system aids in acceleration in delivering a quieter driving experience when starting, cruising, or braking.

As for amenities and features, the MPV gets a MyLink touchscreen system, automatic climate control with rear A/C vents, navigation, cruise control, sunroof, LED headlights, tire pressure monitoring system, stability, and traction control, anti-lock brakes, as well as blind-spot monitoring.

All well and good but could the Chevrolet Orlando make a comeback in the Philippines? Perhaps, since Orlando's 1.35-liter engine meets the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA). If Chevrolet Philippines somehow found a way to price it right, they might just be able to.

Chevrolet is set to shut the Thailand factory by the end of 2020. Because of that, Chevrolet might have to source some units from China (besides the US) by way of SAIC. Chances are, that might happen, since SAIC also happens to own MG, and both brands are under The Covenant Car Company Inc. (TCCCI).