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Chevy Malibu Sales Decrease 28 Percent To 13,420 Units In November 2017

Chevrolet Malibu sales decreased in the United States and in Canada in November 2017.

Chevrolet Malibu Sales - November 2017 - United States

In the United States, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 13,420 units in November 2017, a decrease of about 28 percent compared to 18,577 units sold in November 2016.

In the first eleven months of the year, Malibu sales decreased about 17 percent to 169,229 units.
MODEL NOV 2017 / NOV 2016 NOVEMBER 2017 NOVEMBER 2016YTD 2017 / YTD 2016 YTD 2017 YTD 2016
MALIBU -27.76% 13,420 18,577 -17.50% 169,229 205,117

Chevrolet Malibu Sales - November 2017 - Canada

In Canada, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 510 units in November 2017, a decrease of about 44 percent compared to 915 units sold in November 2016.

In the first eleven months of the year, Malibu sales decreased about 30 percent to 7,595 units.
MODEL NOV 2017 / NOV 2016 NOVEMBER 2017 NOVEMBER 2016YTD 2017 / YTD 2016 YTD 2017 YTD 2016
MALIBU -44.26% 510 915 -30.12% 7,595 10,868

The GM Authority Take

Malibu sales continued the unfavorable trend in November. In fact, the Malibu’s 28 percent drop was higher than the segment’s 18 percent decrease.

The performance keeps it in fifth place in its segment behind the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Ford Fusion (see Ford Fusion sales), but ahead of all other segment contenders, including the Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, Subaru Legacy, Volkswagen Passat (see VW Passat sales), 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 November sales slump to the following factors:

  1. An ongoing shift in consumer buying dynamics that favors crossover utility vehicles at the expense of other vehicle types like sedans and hatchbacks
  2. A strong launch for and market reaction to the new Toyota Camry and Honda Accord
  3. Core product issues for the Chevrolet Malibu that limit the vehicle’s appeal, such as the least powerful base engine in its class, not offering several desired features including HID headlamps, all-wheel-drive or a performance variant, and an onerous trim level structure that requires buyers to upgrade to a top trim level for various desirable features. It’s also the only model in its segment that can’t be equipped with a roof rack without drilling into the car, a factor that further pushes consumers to wards crossovers.

Sales Numbers - Midsize Mainstream Sedans - November 2017 - United States

MODEL NOV 17 / NOV 16 NOVEMBER 17 NOVEMBER 16 YTD 17 / YTD 16 YTD 17 YTD 16
CAMRY +24.13% 34,991 28,189 -3.23% 343,750 355,206
ACCORD -15.39% 22,998 27,182 -3.47% 300,540 311,352
ALTIMA -4.82% 19,073 20,039 -16.21% 236,797 282,617
FUSION -15.14% 14,901 17,560 -22.10% 192,179 246,708
MALIBU -27.76% 13,420 18,577 -17.50% 169,229 205,117
OPTIMA -33.87% 8,154 12,330 -10.05% 100,412 111,631
SONATA -48.04% 7,982 15,363 -33.57% 123,295 185,614
LEGACY -44.19% 3,245 5,814 -23.76% 45,244 59,346
PASSAT -51.25% 3,140 6,441 -12.25% 57,707 65,761
MAZDA6 -45.80% 1,651 3,046 -24.40% 31,626 41,832
REGAL -55.27% 781 1,746 -43.03% 10,554 18,524
200 -87.40% 359 2,849 -66.84% 18,125 54,651
TOTAL -17.87% 130,695 159,136 -15.94% 1,629,458 1,938,359

The midsize mainstream sedan segment saw an 18 percent contraction in terms of overall sales volume in November and a 16 percent drop during the first 11 months of 2017.

About Chevrolet Malibu

2018 Chevrolet Malibu Exterior 001

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 November 2016 sales
  • In the United States, there were 25 selling days in November 2017 and 25 selling days in November 2016
  • In Canada, there were 26 selling days in November 2017 and 26 selling days in November 2016

Related Sales Reporting

GM Authority Executive Editor with a passion for business strategy and fast cars.

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Comments

  1. Disappointing but not surprising. With the strong new contenders the 203 HP Camry and the 193 HP Accord on the scene plus the often discounted Fusion and Altima, the current Malibu doesn’t stand out in any way especially with only 160 HP, annoying to some stop/start system, lack of color choices both inside and out, lack of safety features on the lower trim levels and GM’s forcing you to buy the top and most expensive trim to get things like 18″ wheels, a leather steering wheel and certain other features. Hopefully some of this is corrected for the 2019 refresh and they better plan on a power bump for the 1.5T which ranks dead last in power figures and middle of the road MPG numbers.

    Reply
  2. Excellent points, Joe. It’s certainly goes beyond a roof rack.

    Reply
  3. Hmm. Malibu sales decreasing but impala sales are increasing…and gm wants to refresh malibu and discontinue the impala.. smh

    Reply
  4. ” onerous trim level structure that requires buyers to upgrade to a top trim level for various desirable features”.

    I know several people who were pushed into competitors cars for this very reason. Any signs that GM will change this practice? Are they not aware that this is costing them sales?

    Reply

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