Chevrolet Malibu sales decreased in the United States and in Canada in January 2018.
Chevrolet Malibu Sales - January 2018 - United States
In the United States, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 7,553 units in January 2018, a decrease of about 10 percent compared to 8,377 units sold in January 2017. The results represent the model's lowest January sales performance since at least January 2010.| MODEL | JAN 2018 / JAN 2017 | JANUARY 2018 | JANUARY 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MALIBU | -9.84% | 7,553 | 8,377 |
Chevrolet Malibu Sales - January 2018 - Canada
In Canada, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 321 units in January 2018, a decrease of about 22 percent compared to 412 units sold in January 2017. The results represent the model's lowest January sales performance since January 2015.| MODEL | JAN 2018 / JAN 2017 | JANUARY 2018 | JANUARY 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MALIBU | -22.09% | 321 | 412 |
The GM Authority Take
Malibu sales continued their unfavorable trend in January, but didn’t fall as much as other segment rivals or the segment average.
The performance keeps the midsize sedan in fifth place in its segment behind the Toyota Camry, which has stolen the segment’s sales crown. Second place went to the Nissan Altima, the Honda Accord was in third, and the Ford Fusion (see Ford Fusion sales) was in fourth. The Malibu outsold other segment contenders, including the Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Subaru Legacy, Volkswagen Passat (see VW Passat sales), Mazda6 (see Mazda6 sales), GM’s own Buick Regal (see Buick Regal sales), and the now-discontinued Chrysler 200 (see Chrysler 200 sales).
We attribute the Malibu’s January 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, as evidenced by the segment’s 13 percent sales drop in January
- A strong launch for and market reaction to the new Toyota Camry
- Aggressive sales tactics for the Nissan Altima, a circumstance we expect is being driven by high fleet sales and even higher incentives
- Core product issues for the Chevrolet Malibu that make the vehicle less attractive than the competition, including the segment’s least powerful base engine, not offering several desired features including HID or LED headlamps, all-wheel-drive or a performance variant, and an unfriendly trim level structure that requires customers to upgrade to a top trim level in order to get various desired features that can be optioned a-la-carte on competing models. The Malibu is also the only model in its segment that can’t be equipped with a roof rack without drilling into the car, a factor that likely pushes consumers to crossovers.
Sales Numbers - Midsize Mainstream Sedans - January 2018 - United States
| MODEL | JAN 18 / JAN 17 | JANUARY 18 | JANUARY 17 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAMRY | +21.29% | 24,638 | 20,313 |
| ALTIMA | +6.62% | 20,185 | 18,931 |
| ACCORD | -9.52% | 17,677 | 19,536 |
| FUSION | -33.28% | 10,352 | 15,515 |
| MALIBU | -9.84% | 7,553 | 8,377 |
| SONATA | -23.65% | 6,027 | 7,894 |
| OPTIMA | -33.78% | 5,198 | 7,849 |
| LEGACY | -15.30% | 3,288 | 3,882 |
| PASSAT | -58.65% | 2,434 | 5,887 |
| MAZDA6 | -52.97% | 1,552 | 3,300 |
| REGAL | -40.27% | 568 | 951 |
| 200 | -86.51% | 251 | 1,861 |
| TOTAL | -12.75% | 99,723 | 114,296 |
The midsize mainstream sedan segment saw a 13 percent contraction in terms of overall sales volume in January.
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 January 2017 sales
- In the United States, there were 25 selling days in January 2018 and 24 selling days in January 2017
- In Canada, there were 25 selling days in January 2018 and 24 selling days in January 2017
Related News & Info
- GM news
- GM incentives and offers
- Chevrolet Malibu information
Related Sales Reporting
- Running GM sales results
- Running Chevrolet sales results
- Running Chevrolet Malibu sales results
- Running Cadillac sales results
- Running Buick sales results
- Running GMC sales results
- Running Chevrolet sales results
- January 2017 GM sales results
- U.S. GM January 2017 sales results
- U.S. January 2017 Chevrolet sales results
- U.S. January 2017 Cadillac sales results
- U.S. January 2017 Buick sales results
- U.S. January 2017 GMC sales results
- GM Canada January 2017 sales results
- Canada January 2017 Chevrolet sales results
- Canada January 2017 Cadillac sales results
- Canada January 2017 Buick sales results
- Canada January 2017 GMC sales results
- GM China January 2017 sales results
- Global January 2017 Cadillac sales results
- U.S. GM January 2017 sales results
Comments
Great car. Needs an improved interior, with soft-touch material and a digital TFT display, imo, and more power for the 1.5.
However, much on this segment is due to fame. Sadly, ’cause GM’s new cars are impressive.
The car photographs beautifully, up close in person the proportions aren’t quite as sleep, though. As the article mentions standard features could be better.
Next generation it seems to me that Impala should simply replace Malibu in North America. The larger size at Malibu price would boost sales.
redesign the car on the alpha platform and put the cadillac ATS-V 3.6L TT engine in it, 10-speed auto, awd, magnetic ride, lowered, brembo brakes keep a similar styling and call it a day
GM would loose money. Only a few Boomers would buy it. Chevrolet would move further away from it’s mission as a Toyota/VW rival.
va,
The Malibu (and Impala) are needed for the volume in the form factor they are currently. So they should and will continue (albeit the Impala’s future is up in the air).
The vehicle you describe would be a niche offering that would essentially be a Kia Stinger rival. And such a car would be is great as a separate model. But it will not exceed 2,000-3,000 monthly sales… which would work as long as the platform this car rides on the same platform as various Cadillac models.
Alex, Would such a model not be best thought of as a four door Camaro? Much like Charger/Challenger or the half-hearted effort made with SS AKA G8?
This scheme works well for Dodge but special editions as well as incentives play a role, too.
I can’t help but feel like such a car will fail at today’s Chevrolet, and maybe not be the best image builder as the brand goes green in an effort to lead the EV market. Kia only built Stinger because it lacks Corvette and Camaro.
Such an investment should be used over at Buick with long wheel base Alpha being used for a sedan and coupe Avista.
What you’re asking for somewhat exists with the Ford Fusion V6 Sport which doesn’t have magna ride…It’s not sales champ…
The easier way to create a Chevy branded sales juggernaut is to SS the AWD Equinox, offer the 3.6TT…The quickest Equinox is currently the detuned 2.0T at 250hp/260ft/lbs which has a 0-60 in the low seven seconds…Offer the 3.6TT to drop the 0-60 below six seconds…
That would be an SS/VF Commodore replacement (in which I hope GM is working on) .
A model over the LTZ (like an RS) IMO can have a 275-285 hp 2.0, awd, optional 6-speed to get things going on the top end and re-introduce the 2.5 with 195-205 hp as an upgrade over the 1.6 with some sport options on the bottom end.
Chevy needs to extend the Malibu versions at both the economy and performance ends. For economy, increase the Hybrid battery to become a PHEV and sell as a Volt upgrade for those who need five full seats and a midsize body. For performance, add a larger engine, probably a V6 and all the needed options to become a “SS”.
I would make the following changes on the Malibu for 2019-
1) More power for the 1.5T maybe upgrade to the 170HP/203 torque version as used in the Equinox
2) Offer the 9 speed as std on all but the basic LS model for increased power and slight MPG bump
3) Drop the cheap fleet L version and make the LS the base edition with std Bliss, 16: alloys, 7″ touch screen for $22995
4) LT version make leather wheel std along with LED headlamps for 25995. Offer full safety pack as a separate option.
5) Drop the cloth dash and instead make it padded stitched vinyl
6) Redline version should have the 2.0T and 9 speed as std fare along with paddle shifters
7) Diesel LT model with leather seating package option
8) New more stylish alloy wheels for LS and LT
9) Revise the interior colors and offer two tone grey, tan and brown and charcoal with grey accents on LS and LT
10) Revised front and back end as scheduled for 2019
Good advice Joe,just wish someone at GM would listen to good advice and follow through.
Segment leaders have active safety features on the lowest base trims…Camry has AEB and ACC standard, Altima has AEB standard and Accord can add all safety features for about a $1000…On the Malibu you need to go to the top trims to even get a lot of the safety features and ACC is not available…
Here’s how you “fix” the Malibu sales…Offer the active safety equipment standard on all trims expect the pseudo-fleet L trim and offer a year or two trial of wifi service for FREE…GM only charges about $20/mo for wifi, that’s like $240/year, compare that to their annual 17%-25% off MSRP sales…A free long wifi trial which get the kids attached to a GM product…
Is there a better way to track the sales success of cars and trucks? Year over year is not the best
GM Chevy seem to be reverting to their old ways. Sad