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Chevy Malibu Sales Flat At 34,197 Units In Q1 2019

Chevy Malibu sales increased in the United States and decreased in Mexico and South Korea in the first quarter of 2019.

Chevrolet Malibu Sales - Q1 2019 - United States

In the United States, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 34,197 units in Q1 2019, a decrease of about 0 percent compared to 34,150 units sold in Q1 2018.
MODEL Q1 2019 / Q1 2018 Q1 2019 Q1 2018
MALIBU +0.14% 34,197 34,150

Chevrolet Malibu Sales - Q1 2019 - Canada

In Canada, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 853 units in Q1 2019, a decrease of about 48 percent compared to 1,641 units sold in Q1 2018.
MODEL Q1 2019 / Q1 2018 Q1 2019 Q1 2018
MALIBU -48.02% 853 1,641

Chevrolet Malibu Sales - Q1 2019 - Mexico

In Mexico, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 71 units in Q1 2019, a decrease of about 76 percent compared to 297 units sold in Q1 2018.
MODEL Q1 2019 / Q1 2018 Q1 2019 Q1 2018
MALIBU -76.09% 71 297

Chevrolet Malibu Sales - Q1 2019 - South Korea

In South Korea, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 3,373 units in Q1 2019, a decrease of about 5 percent compared to 3,546 units sold in Q1 2018. The
MODEL Q1 2019 / Q1 2018 Q1 2019 Q1 2018
MALIBU -4.88% 3,373 3,546

Chevrolet Malibu at dealer

Competitive Sales Comparison

Chevrolet Malibu sales performance in the first quarter enabled the nameplate to maintain its position as the fifth best-selling model in its competitive set. Meanwhile, the Toyota Camry regained first place while the Honda Accord slipped to second, followed by the Nissan Altima in third, and the discontinued Ford Fusion in fourth.

The Malibu outsold the rest of the segment, including the Kia Optima in sixth place, Hyundai Sonata in seventh, Subaru Legacy in eighth, Volkswagen Passat (see VW Passat sales) in ninth, Mazda6 (see Mazda6 sales) in tenth, and the discontinued Chrysler 200 in eleventh.

Sales Numbers - Midsize Mainstream Sedans - Q1 2019 - United States

MODEL Q1 19 / Q1 18 Q1 19 Q1 18 Q1 19 SHARE Q1 18 SHARE
TOYOTA CAMRY -10.01% 81,684 90,767 24% 25%
HONDA ACCORD +4.56% 64,411 61,601 19% 17%
NISSAN ALTIMA -18.81% 51,480 63,406 15% 17%
FORD FUSION -3.46% 41,683 43,176 12% 12%
CHEVROLET MALIBU +0.14% 34,197 34,150 10% 9%
KIA OPTIMA +15.59% 22,668 19,610 7% 5%
HYUNDAI SONATA -9.67% 21,520 23,825 6% 7%
SUBARU LEGACY -21.69% 8,219 10,496 2% 3%
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT -20.53% 7,758 9,762 2% 3%
MAZDA MAZDA6 -8.11% 6,921 7,532 2% 2%
CHRYSLER 200 -96.05% 26 659 0% 0%
TOTAL -6.69% 340,567 364,984

The Malibu managed to grow its segment share by less than one percent to 10 percent, trailing behind the 24 percent share of the Toyota Camry, 19 percent of the Honda Accord, and 15 percent of the Nissan Altima.

The midsize mainstream sedan segment contracted an average of 7 percent to 340,567 units in Q1 2019. As such, the 0.14 percent growth in Malibu sales, however slight, was better than the segment average.

2019 Chevrolet Malibu RS exterior 003 wheel and front fender

The GM Authority Take

Chevrolet Malibu sales were technically up in the first quarter of 2019, which is surely welcome news considering it has not been discontinued like other Chevy sedans like the CruzeImpala, and Volt (plus, the latest reports say the Chevy Sonic is also going away). The marginal sales growth is most likely the result of worthwhile incentives such as up to $4,000 off in February 2019 and 21 percent off in March 2019. Hence, any positive momentum in this segment is welcome news, though it would be even better if the Malibu were the sales volume leader of its segment.

It will be interesting to see how Chevrolet Malibu sales fare throughout the rest of 2019, as its Japanese competition – namely the Accord and Camry – continue to dominate the segment, while the buyers continue gravitating toward crossover SUVs.

2019 Chevrolet Malibu exterior Korea 002

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to Chevrolet Malibu Q1 2018 sales
  • In the United States, there were 76 selling days in Q1 2019 and 76 selling days in Q1 2018
  • South Korea sales figures reflect actual vehicle registrations rather than wholesales
  • China sales figures represent retail deliveries and not wholesales

2019 Chevrolet Malibu RS exterior 001 front three quarters (1)

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. It rides on the GM E2 platform shared with the Buick Regal, Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, Holden Commodore NG, and the Cadillac XT4.

For 2019 - the fourth model year of the ninth-gen model - the Malibu received a midcycle enhancement, otherwise known as a facelift or refresh, that consists of revised exterior styling, a new Malibu RS trim level, a CVT transmission for L, LS, LT and RS models, a new infotainment system, a new 8-inch reconfigurable driver information center (DIC), LED headlamps on the Premier model, and various other new features.

2019 Chevrolet Malibu RS exterior 002 rear three quarters (1)

The Chevrolet Malibu is produced at the following GM plants:

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Comments

  1. It’s a decent seller, and it will gain former Fusion sales as that model is canceled.

    Chevrolet should keep the Malibu. The next generation of both should gain an AWD option and a wagon to help supplement sales.

    I think the next gen Regal should be built in Missouri alongside the Malibu.

    Reply
    1. member12

      Or GM could build the next Generation Envision in K.C. Since it’s built on the same platform as the Malibu. I’m guessing combined volume of the Malibu, Envision & CT4 will be enough fo run the plant on 3 shifts.

      Reply
  2. The Fusion isn’t canceled, Ford quietly extend it and MKZ’s life to the early ’20s. Its probably would be redesigned with the Lincoln version also.

    Reply
    1. I guess many people hate the Fusion?.

      Reply
  3. Sorry GM, but the Malibu is ugly and weird looking

    Reply
  4. I like the look of the late model Malibu. My complaint is the engine. I would rather have a larger displacement engine running fuel injection, instead of the small displacement turbo model. I’ve had friends who own Malibu’s, and their biggest complaint is problems with the Turbo on the 1.5L. I like a bigger engine, w/o turbo.

    Reply
  5. again their sitting on their brains –poor =engine choices and it will need more premium interiors ,, exterior designs are much better than there competitors . if GM is hoping the Malibu will capture Cruze , lacrosse ,and Impala buyers some upgraded features are needed . I hope this can be accomplished , but seeing past history of ideas it will not

    Reply

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