The Chevy Malibu, the brand’s last sedan, will end production...

[JohnS]

It seems that demand for Sports Utility Vehicles and Pickup Trucks (Utes in Australia and New Zealand) are not abating anytime soon...

The Chevy Malibu, the brand’s last sedan, will end production

By Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, Fri May 10, 2024

A 2021 Malibu sedan sits at a Chevrolet dealership in this photograph taken Sunday, May 2, 2021, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) 

CNN — The Chevrolet Malibu, the last sedan still sold by General Motors’ biggest selling brand, will end production this year, the company announced.

Malibu production will end in November as the factory that builds it, the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kansas, is reconfigured to build a new generation of the Chevrolet Bolt EV.

With the Malibu’s demise, General Motors’ mainstream Chevrolet brand will sell only trucks, SUVs, and the Corvette, a two-seat sports car, in the United States.

Chevy’s close competitor, Ford, made a similar move years ago when it stopped selling the Taurus and Fusion sedans, leaving the two-door Mustang as the only traditional car in its line-up. Chevrolet stopped making its Mustang competitor, the Camaro, last year.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu (Photo by Barrett-Jackson via Getty Images) Barrett-Jackson/Getty Images

Traditional cars – vehicles that are not SUVs, trucks or vans – make up less than 20% of US auto sales, according to Cox Automotive. The last generation of the Malibu was first introduced in 2016, making it much older than competitors such as the relatively popular Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. A new version of the Camry, now available only as a hybrid, just went into production. Still, GM sold more than 130,000 Malibus last year, a 13% increase from the year before.

Last year, the Malibu was sold mostly to fleet operators, such as rental car companies, according to Cox Automotive. In any given month of 2023, more than half of Malibus were sold to fleets and, in some months, it was nearly 75%, Cox spokesman Mark Schirmer said in an email. For the Accord and Camry, while fleets still make up a significant portion of sales, close to 70% were sold to individuals last year.

“Honda and Toyota alike must be pleasantly surprised to see their competitors pack up and leave the mid-size sedan business,” Schirmer said. “The segment remains sizable – over 900,000 mid-size sedans were bought in 2023 – and Honda and Toyota have excellent offerings, and now with little competition.”

The Malibu was introduced back in the 1960s as a more luxurious version of the Chevrolet Chevelle, called the Chevelle Malibu. By the 1970s, it had become its own distinct model. The Malibu model line ended production in 1983 but was brought back again in 1997, and has been in production since then.

The Malibu, a mid-sized sedan, sells at sticker prices starting around $26,000 for basic versions and more than $30,000 for well-equipped models.

Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/05/09/business/chevrolet-killing-off-chevy-malibu-sedan/index.html

[MrBirdman]

The SUV trend has gotten so outrageous that it actually feels unsafe driving a car. And even the cars are huge now. Saw a 1987 Camry, my parents first car, in a lot recently and it looked like a go-kart. 

[raggie]

I despise how big vehicles are becoming here in the US.

This weekend I was riding in my friends car, an ‘02 Taurus. We parked next to a truck at a convenience store and I realized the top of her Taurus was up to about center of the trucks air filter…meaning it would ramp off her hood, crushing the passengers, in a head on collision.

And so consistently I see pristine, shiny trucks struggle to operate in my city. They can’t park, they stick out into the road, and so many people leave their shin-bustin hitches on, yet not a bed scratch in sight.

Everything in America keeps getting bigger! People, cars, debt. Although portions and products are shrinking…strange times.

[MrBirdman]

28 minutes ago, raggie said:

And so consistently I see pristine, shiny trucks struggle to operate in my city.

The truck thing actually bugs me. SUV and truck popularity is almost entirely a function of marketing - many SUV’s have less storage than station wagons (or “touring” models outside the US) AND they’re easier to load. People were sold a lifestyle and safety image and bought it. Really good video on the issue, guy openly has an agenda (just read the title) but his review of the history is quite interesting.

 

[gormag38]

My first car was a Chevy Caprice (loved it). My next two cars after that were both Chevy Impalas (RIP). 

As a tall dude, I need a larger vehicle that gives me room. Used to be those sedans would afford me that, but they are definitely a dying breed.

[SpecialK]

16 hours ago, MrBirdman said:

The truck thing actually bugs me. SUV and truck popularity is almost entirely a function of marketing - many SUV’s have less storage than station wagons (or “touring” models outside the US) AND they’re easier to load. People were sold a lifestyle and safety image and bought it. Really good video on the issue, guy openly has an agenda (just read the title) but his review of the history is quite interesting.

Agenda doesn't even begin to cover it... anyone who supports more government control over something or vandalism (tire deflation) has lost the argument. I love how he's so superior just because he lives in Europe. He's going to tell all us lesser educated folks here in the US how to live and go about our lives. I suspect he probably is one of those folks who like to stand on interstates with a sign blocking traffic.

 

[MrBirdman]

5 hours ago, SpecialK said:

Agenda doesn't even begin to cover it... anyone who supports more government control over something or vandalism (tire deflation) has lost the argument. I love how he's so superior just because he lives in Europe. He's going to tell all us lesser educated folks here in the US how to live and go about our lives. I suspect he probably is one of those folks who like to stand on interstates with a sign blocking traffic.

Didn’t see any support for vandalism, he just talked about it (and referred to it as “extreme behavior.”). He didn’t say he was superior for living in Europe - he talked about living there compared to America. This is called debate and discussion. His point is that it’s a lack of oversight that’s got us to this point, so the only apparent solution would seem to be a bit more. If you don’t want it because you don’t care about the issue, that’s your prerogative. 

[Lamboinee]

The dangers of a large truck worry me less than the weight of some EVs...it's not supposed to take 4 concrete barriers to stop a car.

Personally, I love driving a car. I like being lower to the ground with less lateral movement. 

[Magnum Dongle]

They'll have to pry my 2016 Chevy Malibu from my cold, dead hands. 😤 It's my daily driver instead of the beater truck I have for utility and towing purposes.

[scottm12]

2001 Malibu “Elvis” made it to 2017 and 215,000 miles before he ended up in the grave.

[raggie]

6 hours ago, Lamboinee said:

The dangers of a large truck worry me less than the weight of some EVs...it's not supposed to take 4 concrete barriers to stop a car.

Personally, I love driving a car. I like being lower to the ground with less lateral movement. 

Nothing like a 4.5 ton brick of flammable potential energy barreling into you at breakneck speeds!

[Reuben]

I love my truck but a great fast sedan is tough to beat, no question! Love me a hellcat!  I can't lie!

[helix]

On 5/15/2024 at 4:34 AM, Lamboinee said:

The dangers of a large truck worry me less than the weight of some EVs...it's not supposed to take 4 concrete barriers to stop a car.

Personally, I love driving a car. I like being lower to the ground with less lateral movement. 

What's is scary the guard rail that is supposed to deflect the vehicle did nothing.   

[PigFish]

I like big trucks. I like sports cars, motorcycles and my diesel Jetta! Drive what you like and like what you drive.

My diesel Ford Excursion is 24 years old. I was hit broadside by a kid who blew a stop sign 20 odd years ago. I drove home, he went to the hospital. Mass has its benefits.

Picked up a box of DEF to power my job site generator yesterday. Jesus… $26 bucks. No wonder I keep my old trucks.

Why must some people blame marketing for what people like. I like utility, speed and economy! Each has its place.

if money were no object I would drive a 911 to commute, and a diesel F350 on the weekend. I got half of it anyway! 🐷

[ytram]

My first car was a 70 Malibu. Great car. I always think about those days with much happiness.

[Lamboinee]

On 5/15/2024 at 9:35 AM, raggie said:

Nothing like a 4.5 ton brick of flammable potential energy

But...it crab-walks! I used to date a girl that could crab walk. She left me for a guy with a Carolina Squat truck.

On 5/15/2024 at 11:03 PM, helix said:

What's is scary the guard rail that is supposed to deflect the vehicle did nothing.   

These accidents can be prevented if all concrete barriers come equipped with Tesla's full self driving mode

[Edicion]

Always liked the look of the 1978 Chevy Malibu. Clean lines. 

[cnov]

On 5/14/2024 at 10:57 AM, SpecialK said:

Agenda doesn't even begin to cover it... anyone who supports more government control over something or vandalism (tire deflation) has lost the argument. I love how he's so superior just because he lives in Europe. He's going to tell all us lesser educated folks here in the US how to live and go about our lives. I suspect he probably is one of those folks who like to stand on interstates with a sign blocking traffic.

I'm not entirely sure that making one statement about tyre deflation completely writes off all of the well presented and pragmatic information preceding it. That's not really how arguments work.