Chevrolet Malibu sales decreased in the United States and in Canada in October 2017.
Chevrolet Malibu Sales - October 2017 - United States
In the United States, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 14,647 units in October 2017, a decrease of about 9 percent compared to 16,151 units sold in October 2016.In the first ten months of the year, Malibu sales decreased about 16 percent to 155,809 units.
| MODEL | OCT 2017 / OCT 2016 | OCTOBER 2017 | OCTOBER 2016 | YTD 2017 / YTD 2016 | YTD 2017 | YTD 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MALIBU | -9.31% | 14,647 | 16,151 | -16.47% | 155,809 | 186,540 |
Chevrolet Malibu Sales - October 2017 - Canada
In Canada, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 599 units in October 2017, a decrease of about 27 percent compared to 822 units sold in October 2016.In the first ten months of the year, Malibu sales decreased about 29 percent to 7,085 units.
| MODEL | OCT 2017 / OCT 2016 | OCTOBER 2017 | OCTOBER 2016 | YTD 2017 / YTD 2016 | YTD 2017 | YTD 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MALIBU | -27.13% | 599 | 822 | -28.82% | 7,085 | 9,953 |
The GM Authority Take
Malibu sales continued an unfavorable trend in October. The performance drops it to fifth place in its segment behind the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Ford Fusion (see Ford Fusion sales), but ahead of other segment contenders, including the Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Subaru Legacy, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda6, GM’s own Buick Regal (see Buick Regal sales), and the now-discontinued Chrysler 200 (see Chrysler 200 sales).
We attribute the Malibu’s October sales slump to the following factors:
- An ongoing shift in consumer buying dynamics that favors crossover utility vehicles at the expense of other vehicle types like sedans and hatchbacks
- A strong launch for and market reaction to the new Honda Accord
- Aggressive sales tactics for Nissan Altima and Ford Fusion, led by high incentives and fleet sales
- Product-related issues for the Malibu, including it being the only model in its segment that can’t be equipped with a roof rack (without drilling into the car) and not offering all-wheel-drive or a performance variant
Sales Numbers - Midsize Mainstream Sedans - October 2017 - United States
| MODEL | OCT 17 / OCT 16 | OCTOBER 17 | OCTOBER 16 | YTD 17 / YTD 16 | YTD 17 | YTD 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACCORD | +4.65% | 26,740 | 25,551 | -2.33% | 277,542 | 284,170 |
| CAMRY | -11.20% | 26,252 | 29,562 | -5.58% | 308,759 | 327,017 |
| ALTIMA | -11.82% | 17,863 | 20,257 | -17.08% | 217,724 | 262,578 |
| FUSION | -6.15% | 17,536 | 18,686 | -22.64% | 177,278 | 229,148 |
| MALIBU | -9.31% | 14,647 | 16,151 | -16.47% | 155,809 | 186,540 |
| SONATA | -49.27% | 7,595 | 14,972 | -32.27% | 115,313 | 170,251 |
| OPTIMA | -24.26% | 7,554 | 9,974 | -7.09% | 92,258 | 99,301 |
| LEGACY | -26.04% | 4,538 | 6,136 | -21.54% | 41,999 | 53,532 |
| PASSAT | -36.85% | 3,937 | 6,234 | -8.01% | 54,567 | 59,320 |
| MAZDA6 | -27.33% | 2,125 | 2,924 | -22.72% | 29,975 | 38,786 |
| REGAL | -40.55% | 783 | 1,317 | -41.75% | 9,773 | 16,778 |
| 200 | -82.45% | 499 | 2,843 | -65.70% | 17,766 | 51,802 |
| TOTAL | -15.87% | 130,069 | 154,607 | -15.76% | 1,498,763 | 1,779,223 |
The midsize mainstream sedan segment saw a nearly 16 percent sales volume decrease in October. During the first ten months of 2017, segment sales are down 16 percent to 1,498,763 units.
About Chevrolet Malibu
The Chevrolet Malibu is a mid-size sedan sold in most markets where Chevrolet has a business presence. It is currently Chevrolet’s second-largest sedan, in the U.S. and Canada, slotting above the subcompact Chevrolet Sonic and compact Chevrolet Cruze but under the full-size Chevrolet Impala.
The current, ninth-generation model was introduced in 2016. As such, the 2018 Malibu represents the third model year of the vehicle. The model rides on the GM E2 platform shared with the Buick Regal, Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, and upcoming Cadillac XT4.
A refresh of the Malibu is on the way for what we believe to be the 2019 model year. The refreshed model is generally expected to contain a new front facia and perhaps other changes and updates as well. See more on the 2019 Chevy Malibu.
The Chevrolet Malibu is built at the GM Faifax factory in Kansas City operated by GM USA.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Chevrolet Malibu October 2016 sales
- In the United States, there were 25 selling days in October 2017 and 26 selling days in October 2016
- In Canada, there were 24 selling days in October 2017 and 25 selling days in October 2016
Related News & Info
- GM news
- GM incentives and offers
- Chevrolet Malibu information
Related Sales Reporting
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- U.S. GM October 2017 sales results
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- GM Canada October 2017 sales results
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Comments
What happen to the sun and sound packages. You have to spend $30k to get a sun roof with the Malibu. Seems high, the imports are cheaper.
I’ve been criticized for saying so, but I don’t care for the textures and colors inside, on the dash and doors. The non-black ones anyway. Those are some really odd taupe/beige hues.
GM needs to MCE the interior and find a way to lower the MSRP as non-car people begin their shopping based on MSRP. It’s a great car that’s being passed up.
(The enthusiast in me also wants an SS edition with a manual transmission option but I know that wouldn’t move the sales needle much.)
I cannot understand why the base Malibu engine has only 160 hp. The Hyundai Elantra, which is a much smaller and lighter car has a standard engine with 161hp. If the Malibu does not increase its base performance as compared to the Accord, Sonata, Fusion, Altima, Optima, etc., it will be lost in the pack and that is too bad, because it is a great riding car once it is cruising on the highway.
You need to look at where it makes the power, rather than the power number as a whole. We should also look at the weight of the Malibu, which is lighter than the competitors.
But perhaps more importantly is that those who buy these cars don’t do so for the power output or 0-60 times. Those to whom this matters who do opt for the up-level engines and customers who purchase midsize mainstream sedans with the base engine are much more concerned with fuel economy, technology, safety, spaciousness, etc.
That said, finding itself on the bottom end of the power charts in its competitive set might not be the best place to be from a mind set standpoint… but I doubt it is actually impacting sales.
If GM would just add the 9 speed to the base malibu the performance could be improved. The 9 speed made the 2.0t malibu just as quick as the new accord and new Camry despite being low on the power. Currently the 1.5t malibu is running mid 8s with the 6 speed. The 9 speed alone could make the 1.5t Malibu do mid to high 7s.
Is not really the fact that the 1.5t is underpowered. Its that they need to update the transmission. The base Malibu is sitting at around 3080 lbs which is light compared to most cars that’s in the competing segment.
I have been on some Malibu forums and heard from a friend that works parts at a local Chevy dealer that the 1.5T is melting it’s pistons and thay have had to swap out quite a few 2016 engines as a result. This defies logic as this is an all new engine that makes less power that virtually any competitor. Note too that this same engine makes 170 HP and 203 torque in the larger Equinox which begs the question will these tiny engines live along life pulling around these vehicles?
Put the TT V6 in the Malibu and I will buy one !!!
I have a 2015 Impala pretty much loaded with the V6 and I agree with you, put a V6 like the one in the impala with the latest Transmission and all the goodies and this car would rock.
The Malibu has the looks to sell at the top but it’s expensive when you add the options that make it a great car and the base engine is too weak. You have to get the premier model for this car to be worth buying.
I THink the problem with the Malibu right now is the Regal. BY looking at the base 2018 Regal it’s cost as much as a Malibu LT and the Buick has better materials than the Chevy does ( in which Chevy should have the material level where buick is currently at right now and have Buick’s and cadillacs go above and beyond).
The car is very ugly– especially the front end. If it just looked like a smaller Impala it would sell well.
This is yet another case of a good sound car design messed up some by GM’s inept ways of doing things.
1) The base engine is too weak at least on paper and for a consumer shopping from the old Malibu to the new one going from 197 HP to 160 and is surly not a way to set the sales charts on fire. Then their are the other two elephants in the room. The new 203 HP Camry and the 192 HP Accord. Even Ford’s 5 year old 1.5T puts out 185 horses or 25 more than the Chevy 1.5T
2) Signs of engine problems with said 1.5T. Some customers have been complaining of oil consumption and reduced performance due to pistons problems. This is unreal in 2016/2017 for any company with as much experience making engines this long.
3) Option package madness. To get the sun and sounds pkg you have to also get other option packages which drives the price up to 30K. Want a leather wheel or remote start. Plan on a sticker of 27K with the forced convenience package. The L and LS are value leader strippers that you literally can’t get any good option and paint colors are severely limited
4) Want to 250 HP turbo engine upgrade. Plan on shelling out for the top line Premier which start very close to 32 large.
5) Those little annoying things that consumers notice. The front end is not very well done. Going from the old previous Malibu’s to the current one sees lots of neat things eliminated. Gone are overhead sunglasses holder. Also gone the pull out drawer to the left of the steering wheel, the clever hideaway touch screen with storage, power pedals and a fold flat passenger seat.
6) Nothing really stands out with this car. It’s mileage ratings are middle of the road. The styling is okay and nothing special. Interior room is decent but the Accord and Sonata are roomier. Power levels are near the bottom of the class, especially the 1.5T. Rear seat legroom is better but still not class leading. Looking at std equipment levels on the base L and LS see little in the way of safety features that cars like the Camry and Sonata have as std fare and note you have to go right up to the pricier LT and option it right past 28K to get some of these things.
7) Why is GM so against advertising. Have seen nothing for the Malibu or Impala in quite some time to promote them