Chevrolet Malibu sales decreased in the United States and in Canada during March 2017.
Chevrolet Malibu Sales – March 2017 – United States
Chevrolet Malibu deliveries in the United States totaled 14,222 units in March 2017, a decrease of 35.5 percent compared to 22,058 units sold in March 2016. In the first three months of 2017, sales of the mid-sized sedan decreased 39.9 percent to 35,005 units.
Sales Numbers - Chevrolet Malibu - March 2017 - United States
| MODEL | MAR 17 / MAR 16 | MARCH 17 | MARCH 16 | YTD 17 / YTD 16 | YTD 17 | YTD 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MALIBU | -35.52% | 14,222 | 22,058 | -39.88% | 35,005 | 58,222 |
Chevrolet Malibu Sales – March 2017 – Canada
In Canada, the Malibu recorded 864 deliveries in March 2017, a decrease of 52.7 percent compared to March 2016. In the first three months of the year, Malibu sales decreased 42.4 percent to 1,886 units in Canada.
Sales Numbers - Chevrolet Malibu - March 2017 - Canada
| MODEL | MAR 17 / MAR 16 | MARCH 17 | MARCH 16 | YTD 17 / YTD 16 | YTD 17 | YTD 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MALIBU | -52.68% | 864 | 1,826 | -42.41% | 1,886 | 3,275 |
The GM Authority Take
We believe that the ongoing shift in consumer behavior dynamics, in which consumers prefer crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) over other vehicle types like sedans and coupes, is directly responsible for the decrease in Malibu sales for the month of March as well as the first quarter of the year. Whether the CUV craze is permanent or temporary is up in the air, which is why we expect the Malibu to continue to see depressed sales volumes in the near- to medium-term future.
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Reporting by Francisco (Frankie) Cruz. GM Authority Take analysis by Alex Luft.
Comments
We believe that the ongoing shift in consumer behavior dynamics, in which consumers prefer crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) over other vehicle types like sedans and coupes, is directly responsible for the decrease in Malibu sales for the month of March as well as the first quarter of the year.
this is correct but the decline in % is much bigger compared to accord and Creamery.
Drove an LT as a loaner, didn’t like it and it was very expensive for the options (lack there of) at $30k. The 1.5L Turbo had no power, and the auto shut off feature was annoying, so no surprise here.
Agreed. I just rented one of these for a week, and I HATED it. I’m a lifelong GM fan, and have owned nothing but GM cars. I even waited at the rental counter for it to become available in the system after I was assigned an Altima (CVT, yuck!). It was a truly dreadful car, led by the buzzy and unrefined 1.5T engine and the non defeatable start-stop. The engine would increase in buzzyness in the moments after auto starting, which increased my annoyance of both the powertrain and the “feature”. I found myself waiting for it to auto shutoff, just so I could immediately release my foot from the brake enough for the car to restart. GM claims they made the system so good and seamless that they didn’t need to include an off switch, they lied. As far as power, I didn’t find it to be grossly underpowered, just extremely unrefined, loud and thrashy. In addition to the engine noise, there was also excessive road and tire noise present.
Beyond the powertrain, the interior was filled with drab hard plastics, with no hint of premium anything. Perhaps some chrome, or other brushed metals, some fake wood or a nice chrome “Malibu” emblem on the dash could have helped. I’ve heard about how GM has elevated its game with interiors, but several of the critically disliked interiors of the not so distant past felt far nicer than this (I owned both a 2003 and 2009 Impala). Granted, there are several interior upgrades available from the model I was assigned, but even the Sonic has a nicer interior environment. My wife, who owns (and loves) a Sonic with a 1.4T hated the Malibu too.
I have driven a 2008 and 2012 Malibu (both a basic four banger loaner, and a loaded V6 LTZ), and that generation was far more refined and premium in feel than what GM is currently dishing out. It is a shame that GM seems to have taken several steps back with the current Malibu. Seriously, even with the 4, it was so quiet that it was easy to forget it wasn’t a V6.
Put it to manual mode then your problem is solved
Most Malibu’s in LT trim at my local Chevy dealers were priced at $26000- 26895 with a few that had the optional moonroof priced at 28045. Did not see one for 30K. The most common 26895 versions were marked down to 22995 and the panoramic moonroof equipped cars were sale priced at 23995. Note that the Camry SE and Sonata Sport moonroof is the old fashioned small unit. That is a pretty good deal IMO if you don’t mind the not so hot power from the 1.5T. The mid level Camry SE and Hyundai Sonata Sports were sale priced very close but lacked remote start, rear air vents, 8″ touch screens, heated exterior mirrors with turn signal indicators, dura-life brake rotors, Onstar, wireless charging for phone and a 120 volt rear power outlet. If anything the Malibu was better equipped than those two cars for about the same actual transaction price!
got one in my area for 31k but that’s with the optional wheel
The real question is what is the next type of car that people will be dying to buy?
I have a 2008 Malibu and i hate it ! The car has no power ( I know it’s a 4cyl) but the car is too heavy for such a small engine, can’t even get out of its own way! I understand the engine is even smaller (1.5 ltr) in the new Malibu my next car will NOT be a GM product.
I’m in the minority; drove a Malibu rental and enjoyed it far more than Fusion or Sonata. Then again, I’m one of the few who really liked Chrysler 200 (great handling, premium looking interior).
Malibu has good handling, quuet ride but cheap interior materials. I still see it as a top pic next to Mazda 6.
Note that in mid trim LT guise it beat out both the Accord and Camry 4 cylinder cars in a recent comparison at C&D magazine and they said it was very refined so I’m not buying the loud buzzy engine thing either.
Folks the car is on the same level as anything else in class at the same price point.
The reality is the mid size rental car is not going to be the car of your dreams unless you are a real under achiever.
The fact is this segment is stagnate. The Camry and Accord are holding on just due to loyalty and Hyundai only does it on price and everyone else is finding it hard in this hot CUV buying market to grow sales from nothing.
The only only thing they can do is discount them more or convert it to another CUV.
People lost their taste for large cars. They lost their desire for wagons and coupe, Now they are losing their love of the mid size car since there are so may options at CUV now.
Like a CUV or not that is what the public is buying in force and will continue to do so at the expense of this segment. Even Camry and Accord will see future declines as more and more people change.
The utility and the comfort of a CUV resonates with the public who are tired of trying to fit square boxes into a large trunk that can not get though the opening.
I own a 08 Malibu and it is a fine car and has served well but it is really only good at holding 4 people and 5 in a pinch. Our Terrain will do more hold more. It has more room inside and rides about as well. I am not a CUV fan but the wife loves it and I have to admit it is a damn bit more useful than my Bu.
And before anyone says it no a performance version while a neat idea will not save the sales. They would account for 5-10K more sales and most at the expense of any other version they would have sold. The Red Line even as a style package is just add on profit not so much add on sales.
I finally went back to a truck and will put my son in the 08 as it is a very safe and decent car to drive. It has a V6 and has done a good job so far.
The key to the Malibu Future will be like all others in the Mid Size class and that is to hold on to sales you have and grow what you can. The real key will be how much you make per unit sold as volume will decline over time.
It will be interesting to see how the Buick 5 door does as to me it will be a love hate thing like a Saab and it may find a following but that is yet to be seen. It at least makes a sedan more useful.
It is sad to see the demise of the car but we are seeing it and until the public changes their minds it will continue.
I agree the Malibu is under powered and somewhat noisy as compared those damn Toyota’s and Honda’s .. interiors are cheap looking with that plastic look . GM takes 3 steps forward with the styling and 1 step back with the under powered engine and another 1 step back with the cheap looking interior . Malibu has some strong competition and it should be better that it is .( someday GM will get it right again I hope it’s soon .
Apparently you haven’t checked out Toyota’s interiors lately. Nothing and I mean nothing in this segment has cheaper materials than most Toyota products. The headliner feels like a wafer thin piece of cardboard in most of there cars and is very flimsy. The dash covers and bezels are held on by cheap small plastic clips and pull away in your hand with but a simple light tug! The carpet feels like they glued on pieces of fabric to the back of card board.
The exterior door panels are so wafer thin as if they went to the thinnest sheet metal imaginable. And the most comical thing was the USB port covers. A small thin piece of floppy rubber that a two year old would break off in two seconds.
The Malibu’s and Fusions are light years better in interior quality and feel far more substantial. It’s in the powertrain department that Honda seems to do better with a 4 cylinder that is more polished and powerful feeling than the other mid size cars.
yes when is chevy coming back with the s-10 pu
I think the reason Malibu would have people saying it hasn’t cheap interior because of one car. Regal.
I have had 1999 – 2002 AND 2005 Malibu’s, ALL V-6’s “GREAT CARS ALL OF THEM. But was looking at 2016 Malibu’s, Where did the ROOM in the front seat go ?? And No power Motors . I was getting 30+MPG with my V6. So you would think the 1.5T or 2.0 would get 50 MPG or better. NO !! Cars too heavy.. Not A Mopar fan, But the 200- V6 got my eye. Goodbye GM..