Volt-Like Extended Range Electric Minivan Coming From GM?

Well maybe (just maybe) General Motors is starting to get it. It seems that some patent drawings have leaked out that shows the once largest carmaker in the world to be working on (or at least covering their patent bases) on a hybrid minivan. It makes logical sense, in a bunch of realms, so maybe the real surprising thing is that GM came up with it.

According to sources, the pictures here are official trademark designs of an unnamed Chevrolet compact minivan. Note the front end and rear end styling. Notice the shape of the headlamps and tail lamps. Looks a lot like Chevy's highly anticipated Volt series hybrid, no?

GM Inside News says that the compact people carrier/minivan seen in the drawings looks to be the same vehicle that was seen standing alongside the forthcoming Chevrolet Orlando MPV that was leaked in a video last year. Or to put it another way, this might not be new, just newly found out.

To further add fuel to the fire it has been rumored for a while now that The General is looking to introduce a compact crossover somethingorother that uses the Volt's extended range electric / gasoline powerplant at this month's Beijing Auto Show. And if that turns out to be the case, then it's almost certain that what we're looking at here is the crossover we'll see at the Chinese motorshow that runs from April 23 to 27.

OK, so speculation aside, doesn't this seem like one of the easiest swings to take? Why hasn't there been a hybrid minivan yet? Why hasn't every manufacturer that makes a hybrid, or has hybrid technology on tap, installed that technology into some sort of minivan/SUV/crossover/somethingorother?

And General Motors should have been doing this a long, long time ago. They need to recapture their mojo (if that is even possible at this late date). They need to get off their corporate ass and start leapfrogging the competition, not just answering them. There's no point in counterpunching now guys.

Source: CarScoop