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Chevrolet Malibu Sales Decrease 7.5 Percent In Q4 2019

Chevrolet Malibu sales increased in the United States and Canada while decreasing in Mexico and South Korea during the third quarter of 2019.

Chevrolet Malibu Sales - Q4 2019 - United States

In the United States, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 34,314 units in Q4 2019, a decrease of about 7 percent compared to 37,084 units sold in Q4 2018.

During the complete 2019 calendar year, Malibu sales decreased about 9 percent to 131,917 units.
MODEL Q4 2019 / Q4 2018 Q4 2019 Q4 2018YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 YTD 2019 YTD 2018
MALIBU -7.47% 34,314 37,084 -8.73% 131,917 144,542

Chevrolet Malibu Sales - Q4 2019 - Canada

In Canada, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 1,149 units in Q4 2019, a decrease of about 22 percent compared to 1,467 units sold in Q4 2018.

During the complete 2019 calendar year, Malibu sales decreased about 12 percent to 5,823 units.
MODEL Q4 2019 / Q4 2018 Q4 2019 Q4 2018YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 YTD 2019 YTD 2018
MALIBU -21.69% 1,149 1,467 -12.46% 5,823 6,652

Chevrolet Malibu Sales - Q4 2019 - Mexico

In Mexico, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 6 units in Q4 2019, a decrease of about 98 percent compared to 365 units sold in Q4 2018.

During the complete 2019 calendar year, Malibu sales decreased about 91 percent to 146 units.
MODEL Q4 2019 / Q4 2018 Q4 2019 Q4 2018YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 YTD 2019 YTD 2018
MALIBU -98.36% 6 365 -90.52% 146 1,540

Chevrolet Malibu Sales - Q4 2019 - South Korea

In South Korea, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 2,734 units in Q4 2019, a decrease of about 49 percent compared to 5,409 units sold in Q4 2018. The

During the complete 2019 calendar year, Malibu sales decreased about 28 percent to 12,210 units.
MODEL Q4 2019 / Q4 2018 Q4 2019 Q4 2018YTD 2019 / YTD 2018 YTD 2019 YTD 2018
MALIBU -49.45% 2,734 5,409 -28.40% 12,210 17,052

Chevrolet Malibu at dealer

Competitive Sales Comparison

Chevrolet Malibu sales performance in the fourth quarter enabled the midsize sedan to move up one position in its competitive set, becoming the fourth best-selling model in its segment.

The Toyota Camry continued to dominate the segment, remaining the best-selling model with 78,522 deliveries and a 25 percent segment share. The Camry was followed by the Honda Accord in second place, with 63,104 deliveries and 20 percent segment share. Third place went to the Nissan Altima, which accounted for 49,214 deliveries and a 16 percent segment share. The Malibu saw 11 percent segment share, followed by the discontinued Ford Fusion with 32,137 deliveries and 10 percent segment share. The remaining models saw single-digit segment share, including the Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, Subaru Legacy, Mazda6 (see Mazda6 sales), Volkswagen Passat (see VW Passat sales), and the discontinued Chrysler 200.

Sales Numbers - Midsize Mainstream Sedans - Q4 2019 - United States

MODEL Q4 19 / Q4 18 Q4 19 Q4 18 Q4 19 SHARE Q4 18 SHARE YTD 19 / YTD 18 YTD 19 YTD 18
TOYOTA CAMRY -2.52% 78,522 80,552 25% 23% -1.88% 336,978 343,439
HONDA ACCORD -16.72% 63,104 75,772 20% 21% -8.08% 267,567 291,071
NISSAN ALTIMA +15.67% 49,214 42,547 16% 12% +0.02% 209,183 209,146
CHEVROLET MALIBU -7.47% 34,314 37,084 11% 10% -8.73% 131,917 144,542
FORD FUSION -33.92% 32,137 48,636 10% 14% -4.35% 166,045 173,600
KIA OPTIMA -3.68% 20,957 21,758 7% 6% -4.90% 96,623 101,603
HYUNDAI SONATA -20.90% 19,098 24,143 6% 7% -16.79% 87,466 105,118
SUBARU LEGACY -1.58% 8,886 9,029 3% 3% -12.58% 35,063 40,109
MAZDA MAZDA6 -31.60% 4,239 6,197 1% 2% -30.43% 21,524 30,938
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT -85.36% 1,153 7,874 0% 2% -65.89% 14,123 41,401
CHRYSLER 200 -93.02% 3 43 0% 0% -95.40% 48 1,043
TOTAL -11.88% 311,627 353,635 -7.79% 1,366,537 1,482,010

The Malibu saw its segment share improve from 10 to 11 percent in Q4 2019. Only one model – the Nissan Altima – managed to post increases in sales volume during the quarter.

The midsize mainstream sedan segment contracted an average of 12 percent to 311,627 units in Q4 2019. As such, the 7 percent decrease in Chevrolet Malibu sales during the quarter outperformed the segment average.

2019 Chevrolet Malibu RS exterior 003 wheel and front fender

The GM Authority Take

Chevrolet Malibu sales had quite the healthy performance during the fourth quarter. While many might characterize the 7.5 percent decline in sales volume as not particularly healthy, Malibu sales did fall at a slower rate than the segment average, and slower than many competitors. For instance, the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda6, VW Passat and the discontinued Ford Fusion all posted great sales volume decreases on a percentage basis.

The feat is even more impressive when considering the fact that production of the Chevrolet Malibu at the GM Fairfax plant in Kansas was stopped for 40 days as a result of the UAW strike, negatively impacting availability of Chevy’s midsize sedan at the dealer (retail) level. As such, Malibu sales may have fared even better.

It will be interesting to see how Chevrolet Malibu sales fare during 2020, particularly as Japanese rivals – namely the Accord and Camry – continue to dominate the segment on the one hand, and buyers continue gravitating toward crossover SUVs at the expense of sedans on the other.

The Malibu is currently the only Chevrolet sedan to not be discontinued or be planned to be discontinued in the immediate future, though we understand that the Malibu will be discontinued in 2024. Meanwhile, other Chevy sedans like the Cruze and Volt have already been axed, while the Impala will be discontinued in the near future and the Chevy Sonic will likely also be dropped, though Chevrolet has denied those claims. As of this writing, we understand that the Malibu will be discontinued in 2024.

2019 Chevrolet Malibu exterior Korea 002

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to Chevrolet Malibu sales in Q4 2018
  • In the United States, there were 78 selling days in Q4 2019 and 77 selling days in Q4 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:

Related News & Info

GM Q4 2019 sales numbers:
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Comments

  1. One of those Q4 sales was to me – a 2019 LT. 0% for 72 months with no money down.

    Although I thought I’d dislike the CVT and auto stop/start, these work flawlessly.

    Great car.

    Reply
  2. It’s sometimes difficult to wrap your head around the idea that the company that designed and built the award winning 2020 Chevrolet C8 Corvette also designed the other cars and trucks that bares the same Chevrolet nameplate, one has to wonder what would happen if Tadge Juchter was made Chevrolet’s President and was able to make decisions on how what a Chevy Malibu should look and perform like.

    Reply
    1. You mean even lower and sleeker and more aerodynamic, making it virtually impossible for even more to get into it? Maybe a bigger “flight deck”-style dash, center stack, and console? That way, even quite a few who CAN get in the now-lower doors, still won’t be able to get comfortable?

      Sounds like a real winning combination to me, yes indeed!

      As it stands now: unless the prices are steeply discounted, many won’t buy because the car is headed toward being an orphan as Chevrolet abandons the sedan market. Even the average buyer knows that for better or worse, that Toyotas, Subarus, Hondas, and even Nissans, will maintain better resale value.

      Reply
  3. I know the Malibu is a quite a smooth operator out on the roads, but it does seem a bit dull. It would be nice to compare it to the base Camry/Altima/Accord to see how it stacks up.

    Reply
  4. The Fusion is still in production until 2021. And still outsold the Malibu for the full-year by more than 30,000. Maybe a decent refresh will help the Malibu pull in those American-loyal Fusion buyers after 2021.

    I got a great deal last year on a 17 Fusion to use as a commuter car. I hate that the market is abandoning sedans but it’s a great time for a buyer to get a fantastic deal since most buyers don’t want them.

    Reply
    1. Fusion and Altima are very big in the rental call fleets, so I wouldn’t put much into their sales.

      Reply
      1. Nissan has been reducing its fleet sales of recent, and the large decline in sales of most their models (especially the Rogue), reflect that. Despite this, the new Altima is one of their few vehicles to have a uptick in sales. So the new design is for sure helping compared to the previous model which was definitely popular on fleet lots

        Reply

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