Chevy Malibu Sales Take Fourth Place In Segment During Q4 2020
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Chevy Malibu sales during the fourth quarter of 2020 decreased in all markets tracked by GM Authority, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea.
Chevrolet Malibu Sales - Q4 2020 - United States
In the United States, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 29,252 units in Q4 2020, a decrease of about 15 percent compared to 34,314 units sold in Q4 2019.During the complete 2020 calendar year, Malibu sales decreased about 22 percent to 102,651 units.
| MODEL | Q4 2020 / Q4 2019 | Q4 2020 | Q4 2019 | YTD 2020 / YTD 2019 | YTD 2020 | YTD 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MALIBU | -14.75% | 29,252 | 34,314 | -22.19% | 102,651 | 131,917 |
Chevrolet Malibu Sales - Q4 2020 - Canada
In Canada, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 1,008 units in Q4 2020, a decrease of about 12 percent compared to 1,149 units sold in Q4 2019.During the complete 2020 calendar year, Malibu sales decreased about 44 percent to 3,287 units.
| MODEL | Q4 2020 / Q4 2019 | Q4 2020 | Q4 2019 | YTD 2020 / YTD 2019 | YTD 2020 | YTD 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MALIBU | -12.27% | 1,008 | 1,149 | -43.55% | 3,287 | 5,823 |
Chevrolet Malibu Sales - Q4 2020 - South Korea
In South Korea, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 1,659 units in Q4 2020, a decrease of about 39 percent compared to 2,734 units sold in Q4 2019.During the complete 2020 calendar year, Malibu sales decreased about 46 percent to 6,548 units.
| MODEL | Q4 2020 / Q4 2019 | Q4 2020 | Q4 2019 | YTD 2020 / YTD 2019 | YTD 2020 | YTD 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MALIBU | -39.32% | 1,659 | 2,734 | -46.37% | 6,548 | 12,210 |
Chevrolet Malibu Sales - Q4 2020 - Mexico
In Mexico, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 2 units in Q4 2020, a decrease of about 67 percent compared to 6 units sold in Q4 2019.During the complete 2020 calendar year, Malibu sales decreased about 95 percent to 7 units.
| MODEL | Q4 2020 / Q4 2019 | Q4 2020 | Q4 2019 | YTD 2020 / YTD 2019 | YTD 2020 | YTD 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MALIBU | -66.67% | 2 | 6 | -95.21% | 7 | 146 |
Competitive Sales Comparison (U.S.)
Chevy Malibu sales placed fourth out of a total of ten rivals during Q3 2020. The midsize Chevrolet sedan was outsold by the Toyota Camry in first place, Honda Accord in second, the Nissan Altima in third. Placing fourth, the Malibu outsold the all-new Hyundai Sonata and Kia K5 (and its predecessor, the Optima), the recently-discontinued Ford Fusion (see Ford Fusion sales), Subaru Legacy, Volkswagen Passat (see VW Passat sales), and Mazda6 (see Mazda6 sales).
Sales Numbers - Midsize Mainstream Sedans - Q4 2020 - United States
| MODEL | Q4 20 / Q4 19 | Q4 20 | Q4 19 | Q4 20 SHARE | Q4 19 SHARE | YTD 20 / YTD 19 | YTD 20 | YTD 19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOYOTA CAMRY | +13.86% | 89,403 | 78,522 | 30% | 25% | -12.65% | 294,348 | 336,978 |
| HONDA ACCORD | -14.16% | 54,167 | 63,104 | 18% | 20% | -25.45% | 199,458 | 267,567 |
| NISSAN ALTIMA | -16.88% | 40,906 | 49,214 | 14% | 16% | -34.03% | 137,988 | 209,183 |
| CHEVROLET MALIBU | -14.75% | 29,252 | 34,314 | 10% | 11% | -22.19% | 102,651 | 131,917 |
| HYUNDAI SONATA | +24.99% | 23,871 | 19,098 | 8% | 6% | -11.97% | 76,997 | 87,466 |
| KIA K5 | * | 20,994 | * | 7% | 0% | * | 31,656 | 0 |
| KIA OPTIMA | -98.17% | 383 | 20,957 | 0% | 7% | -49.82% | 48,484 | 96,623 |
| FORD FUSION | -37.76% | 20,001 | 32,137 | 7% | 10% | -33.35% | 110,665 | 166,045 |
| SUBARU LEGACY | -18.93% | 7,204 | 8,886 | 2% | 3% | -22.31% | 27,240 | 35,063 |
| VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT | +487.51% | 6,774 | 1,153 | 2% | 0% | +62.60% | 22,964 | 14,123 |
| MAZDA MAZDA6 | 0.00% | 4,239 | 4,239 | 1% | 1% | -24.72% | 16,204 | 21,524 |
| CHRYSLER 200 | -33.00% | 2 | 3 | 0% | 0% | -81.25% | 9 | 48 |
| TOTAL | -4.63% | 297,196 | 311,627 | -21.80% | 1,068,664 | 1,366,537 |
From a segment share standpoint, the Camry led the segment with 30 percent, up five percentage points year-over-year. The Accord had 18 percent, down 2 percent, while the Altima had 14 percent, also down 2 percent. The Malibu accounted for 10 percent share, down one percentage point. All other rivals held less than 10 percent share.
The midsize mainstream sedan segment contracted an average of 5 percent to 297,196 units in Q4 2020, meaning that the 15 percent drop in Chevy Malibu sales was faster than the segment average.
The GM Authority Take
After being the fifth-best-selling model in its segment during Q3 2020, the Malibu moved up one spot in the rankings during the fourth quarter. The performance follows a very healthy first quarter followed by a rather pitiful second quarter and a decent third quarter.
We attribute the Malibu’s one-spot improvement in the sales rankings to the discontinuation of the Ford Fusion, which has traditionally outsold the Malibu. But despite the higher position, the Malibu underperformed the segment, with sales lagging the segment average as newer rivals from Hyundai and Kia land on scene.
It’s worth noting that the the Malibu is currently the only Chevrolet sedan offered in the United States. Other Chevy sedans like the Cruze, Volt, Impala, and Sonic have been discontinued. For its part, the Malibu is expected to be sunset at the end of its lifecycle in 2024.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Chevrolet Malibu sales in Q4 2019, except if noted
- In the United States, there were 79 selling days for Q4 2020 and 78 selling days for Q4 2019
- South Korea sales figures reflect actual vehicle registrations rather than wholesales
- China sales figures represent retail deliveries and not wholesales
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GM Q4 2020 sales reports:- GM Q4 2020 sales U.S.A.
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Selling over 100,000 units is good right? I assume the Malibu is still profitable?
I hope they instead of discontinuing The Malibu they keep it on sale until there is an EV replacement. Dodge does this with there sedans so GM can also.
With these #’s, it must make a reasonable argument for keeping it around.
Imagine if the ‘Bu had a better interior and a more powerful 1,5 engine.
Actually they have the 250 horse 2.0 engine available but you have to buy the Premier model to get that engine. That’s a $6700 upgrade over the LT which in my opinion is absurd.
Malibu needs a better interior, and RS trim should just be standard.
I get that GM makes money off of more expensive trims but Malibu needs to look more sporty with easter eggs that draw the eye. This is a tight segment so pluses like this matter.
By far Malibu is the quietest, best handling auto in the segment. The end of Fusion means possibly 25% more “Buy American” sales. The General should reskin but would be silly to drop Bu any time soon!
Imagine how it would sell if they actually improved the darn thing instead of doing the usual GM default of letting it rot on the vine and then claiming it didn’t sell and kill it off. Nothing else matters but Triple Zero yo’
I hope they do a redesign and stay in the segment. K5 coming for dem cheeks.
K5 is hideous with those cheap incandescent turn signals at the rear. Sonota is even uglier than the K5. Malibu Premier is easily is the best looking sedan in the segment with Camry XSE as the distant second.
It’s time for GM to heavily update the interior, provide new powertrain options, offer AWD, more standard technology, and ester eggs in the Malibu and that should take care of Altima and Accord sales here in the U.S. Hyundai has completely lost their minds in the design department if you ask me. The Sonota looks like a fish out of water. The fact they’re “all new“ means they should have easily topped the Malibu this quarter especially since the Chevrolet hasn’t received a redesign since 2016. I blame Hyundai’s ugly styling amongst a few other things.
This might be all well and good but the difference in volume from them vs. the top two, or three is significant. Sheesh.
Say GM redesigns the Malibu. Does it stay on the current chassis (Epsilon 2)? That chassis isn’t exactly new anymore either.
Imagine if they actually advertised the damn thing? What a concept.
When’s the last time you saw a Honda Accord commercial? Exactly. And unlike Honda, GM actually has EVs to advertise which have tremendous priority over a ICE sedan on a old platform. Also, the Malibu has improved slightly but essentially been unchanged since 2016. What’s there to advertise? Remember, it just outsold the all new Hyundai Sonota and Kia K5 which are arguably the most advertised sedans currently known to man in North America, and that goes for both television and the internet. The Koreans are literally force fed by every automotive media entity still in business. However, they were outsold by the Malibu with virtually no new advertisements, what does that tell you? Nothing?
It tells me Chevrolet doesn’t need new ads for a old Malibu, they need a new Malibu altogether. The customer base is there and waiting for it.
Since Ford discontinued the Fusion and its hybrid versions (which are the best hybrid sedans), Chevy should revive and improve the hybrid Malibu, and propose an EV version for 2024, using thr same Ultrium tech as in tbe Hummer and Lyriq.
If not, then GM will drop completely from the car market and only sell Camaros and Corvettes.
Agree with Raymond, utilize the Ultium battery technology to produce a true Malibu PHEV. Use a relatively small 30 kw/hr battery to enable around 75 miles of local driving without gasoline and address the range issue with a 2 or 3 cylinder (only about 60 hp required) range extender to power an onboard generator for longer distances (like the BMW I3). Battery weight reduced by 2/3 vs a standard EV, no need for a transmission (also less cost and weight), and the small ICE would further reduce weight vs a regular 4 cylinder. Powertrain controls could be simplified as the small ICE would only need to be calibrated for powering the generator and there would not be a transmission to control. All these revisions act to reduce both cost and weight and with a 10 gallon fuel tank could achieve a 600-700 mile range. Also simple to offer AWD if desired.
I think GM should keep a few sedans around, like everything else this Sport Utility phase will slow down. Not everyone what’s a four door truck like auto
All great comments above. My 2c worth: As I’ve said in other posts, I really feel GM needs to keep a few sedans around for when the market shifts again. My idea is for GM to keep two Chevy’s and two Buick sedans. Build them all in the USA and let them share nearly everything. Just give the Buick an upgraded interior and different front/back designs. Maybe this would kind of be going back to the cookie cutter ways of years ago, but it would keep some sedans for those who really want one while allowing GM to be totally ready for the next market shift. Then keep Cadillac in two sedans, but keep them rear/AWD and on their own platforms.
What a waste of a good design that GM will just let decline like so many others under the excuse of poor sales. Upgrade the interior and package the powertrain options better. 100k sales that the EV push will not see for GM with any of their upcoming products combined for years if ever domestically.
I own a 2015 Honda Accord Sedan. I refuse to part with it because it has the 3.5L V-6 rated @271-278hp.
I like the Malibu and wish Chevrolet would make an effort to give it more power and a slightly more refined cabin.
GM has the ability to make a reliable, fuel efficient sedan capable of competing with Honda and Toyota, or at least increasing their sales numbers. It remains to be seen if they’ll do it.
My son is stationed in OKC in the Air Force and my wife and I live in PA. “Momma” wanted to make sure he had a traditional Thanksgiving meal for him and his buds so we planned a road trip to Oklahoma for the holiday. After much arguing with her to get her to understand that it makes more sense to rent a car from Enterprise for a paltry $214 for the week (with unlimited mileage) rather than drive her Nissan Rogue, or my Chevy Sonic the 2800 mile round trip, we rented a 2020 Malibu Premier. Perhaps it’s because I normally drive a little Sonic LTZ Turbo but that Malibu really impressed me. It was the 3rd Malibu I’ve rented and I’ll continue to ask for a Malibu as long as they continue to make them. They tried to give me a Nissan Altima and I argued for the Malibu. That car made the 2800 mile round trip a breeze. It was comfortable, had all the options including heated steering wheel, got great fuel mileage and looked beautiful doing it. That 2.0 is a damn impressive engine. Again….is this because I’m accustomed to my Sonic and it’s 1.4T? Perhaps.
The only fault I could find with that particular Malibu was the fact that the radio station on Sirius would change on it’s own and without warning and one time the instrument panel went totally blank for no apparent reason but did come back to life a mile later. Most likely a software update or something simple like that. Other than that, it was the perfect travel companion.
I should honestly just go buy one before it’s too late but it gripes me that I can’t get the 2.0T in the Redline or RS edition. I’ve never been able to figure out GM’s packaging logic and honestly have given up trying. I think if more people drove a new Malibu, they’d buy a new Malibu. They’re damn nice cars.
A reskinned Regal would give Malibu a jolt! Will never understand why GM hasn’t used finer interior materials especially will Buick out of sedans