Looks like GM will be offering a mini Buick Enclave instead of the Chevrolet Orlando crossover in the U.S. During a CBS interview with GM’s main designer, Ed Welburn, we caught a glimpse footage of a mini SUV in the making. We are pretty sure that is not the the Orlando because GM is having it only available in Canada. So, we’re thinking a possibility of a mini Buick Enclave instead.

From the facial structure of the molding, its look like that this mini SUV crossover will be based on an Aveo platform. Earlier news from the Associated Press pointed out that Buick will produce an Aveo-based crossover in Orion Township, Michigan, and this may be it.

Again, from the model clay and the Associated Press’ report, we are about 80% sure that this will be the next mini Buick Enclave. But whatever it soon to be, it does look very compact and aerodynamic in its form.

If you are one of those who dislike the Buick Enclave because of its bulkiness, then this new mini Buick Enclave may just be the right size for you. Like the Aveo-based vehicles, you can expect this new mini Buick Enclave will be a lot more fuel efficient as well. We expect fuel economy would be around a combined 32 miles per gallon.

This is very exciting news for those who would like to own a mini SUV. We can expect to see this mini Buick Enclave by 2012. Stay tuned, we’ll keep you updated.

Update on mini Buick Enclave as of August 6, 2011:

Here are some new rendering photos of what the new 2012 mini Buick Enclave would look like. The pictures below came from a Chinese website auto163.com. According to the website, we will get to see the mini Buick Enclave concept by the end of this year and it is likely to hit the market in mid 2012.

The mini Buick Enclave will be built on the same platform as the Opel Astra, which is already produced in China for the Buick Excell and the Chevrolet Cruze. Whether it will be elsewhere in the world is another question. Currently, Buick would like to get its foot in the Chinese market, and it has been building vehicles for this market first as we have seen in the Buick LaCrosse and Regal.

Anyhow, these photos are rendered from the first image that we caught in the NBC video of what we think will be the new mini Buick crossover. Stay tuned…