Chevy Malibu sales decreased in the United States, Canada, and South Korea during the fourth quarter of 2021.
Chevrolet Malibu Sales - Q4 2021 - United States
In the United States, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 7,221 units in Q4 2021, a decrease of about 75 percent compared to 29,252 units sold in Q4 2020.During the complete 2021 calendar year, Malibu sales decreased about 62 percent to 39,376 units.
| MODEL | Q4 2021 / Q4 2020 | Q4 2021 | Q4 2020 | YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 | YTD 2021 | YTD 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MALIBU | -75.31% | 7,221 | 29,252 | -61.64% | 39,376 | 102,651 |
Chevrolet Malibu Sales - Q4 2021 - Canada
In Canada, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 261 units in Q4 2021, a decrease of about 74 percent compared to 1,008 units sold in Q4 2020.During the complete 2021 calendar year, Malibu sales decreased about 51 percent to 1,615 units.
| MODEL | Q4 2021 / Q4 2020 | Q4 2021 | Q4 2020 | YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 | YTD 2021 | YTD 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MALIBU | -74.11% | 261 | 1,008 | -50.87% | 1,615 | 3,287 |
Chevrolet Malibu Sales - Q4 2021 - South Korea
In South Korea, Chevrolet Malibu deliveries totaled 805 units in Q4 2021, a decrease of about 51 percent compared to 1,659 units sold in Q4 2020.During the complete 2021 calendar year, Malibu sales decreased about 53 percent to 3,107 units.
| MODEL | Q4 2021 / Q4 2020 | Q4 2021 | Q4 2020 | YTD 2021 / YTD 2020 | YTD 2021 | YTD 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MALIBU | -51.48% | 805 | 1,659 | -52.55% | 3,107 | 6,548 |
Competitive Sales Comparison (USA)
Chevy Malibu sales performance places the Bow Tie brand’s only remaining sedan in the bottom third of the midsize mainstream sedan segment during the fourth quarter of 2021. The Malibu placed seventh among nine active entries, with sales dropping 75 percent to 7,221 units. Three discontinued models follow these nine, moving just over a hundred units combined at this point, so we will discount them for this analysis.
The Toyota Camry led the segment in spite of a 36 percent decline in sales to 57,026 units. The Honda Accord took second with an 18 percent decrease in sales to 44,688 units. Finishing out the podium was the Nissan Altima, which posted a healthy 107 percent jump in sales to 28,269 units. All three outsold the Malibu in various levels of significance during the quarter.
Sales Numbers - Midsize Mainstream Sedans - Q4 2021 - United States
| MODEL | Q4 21 / Q4 20 | Q4 21 | Q4 20 | Q4 21 SHARE | Q4 20 SHARE | YTD 21 / YTD 20 | YTD 21 | YTD 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOYOTA CAMRY | -36.21% | 57,026 | 89,403 | 31% | 33% | +6.61% | 313,795 | 294,348 |
| HONDA ACCORD | -17.50% | 44,688 | 54,167 | 24% | 20% | +1.61% | 202,676 | 199,458 |
| NISSAN ALTIMA | +107.32% | 28,269 | 13,635 | 15% | 5% | -24.79% | 103,777 | 137,988 |
| KIA K5 | -10.12% | 18,870 | 20,994 | 10% | 8% | +191.65% | 92,326 | 31,656 |
| HYUNDAI SONATA | -46.87% | 12,682 | 23,871 | 7% | 9% | +20.97% | 93,142 | 76,997 |
| VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT | +16.50% | 7,892 | 6,774 | 4% | 3% | +6.24% | 24,396 | 22,964 |
| CHEVROLET MALIBU | -75.31% | 7,221 | 29,252 | 4% | 11% | -61.64% | 39,376 | 102,651 |
| SUBARU LEGACY | -43.49% | 4,071 | 7,204 | 2% | 3% | -16.42% | 22,766 | 27,240 |
| MAZDA MAZDA6 | -54.16% | 1,943 | 4,239 | 1% | 2% | +0.06% | 16,214 | 16,204 |
| FORD FUSION | -99.49% | 103 | 20,001 | 0% | 7% | -89.35% | 11,781 | 110,665 |
| CHRYSLER 200 | +397.01% | 10 | 2 | 0% | 0% | +66.67% | 15 | 9 |
| KIA OPTIMA | -100.00% | 0 | 383 | 0% | 0% | -99.97% | 16 | 48,484 |
| TOTAL | -32.29% | 182,775 | 269,925 | -13.89% | 920,280 | 1,068,664 |
From a segment share standpoint, the Malibu held a mere 4 percent share, dropping 7 percentage points year-over-year. The best-selling Camry held a 31 percent share, down just 2 percentage points while the second-place Accord controlled a 15 percent share, up 4 percentage points. The Altima posted a 15 percent share, up a solid 10 percentage points. The rest of the entries held a 7 percent segment or less share.
It’s worth noting that the two entries fielded by the Hyundai and Kia conglomerate – the Sonata and K5, respectively – accounted for a cumulative 31,552 units, good for a 17 percent segment share. That places the duo in third place ahead of the Altima.
Sales Numbers - Hyundai and Kia Midsize Sedans - Q4 2021 - USA
| MODEL | Q4 21 / Q4 20 | Q4 21 | Q4 20 | Q4 21 SHARE | Q4 20 SHARE | YTD 21 / YTD 20 | YTD 21 | YTD 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HYUNDAI SONATA | -46.87% | 12,682 | 23,871 | 40% | 53% | +20.97% | 93,142 | 76,997 |
| KIA K5 | -10.12% | 18,870 | 20,994 | 60% | 46% | +191.65% | 92,326 | 31,656 |
| KIA OPTIMA | -100.00% | 0 | 383 | 0% | 1% | -99.97% | 16 | 48,484 |
| TOTAL | -30.27% | 31,552 | 45,248 | +18.04% | 185,484 | 157,137 |
The midsize mainstream sedan segment contracted 32 percent to 182,775 units during Q4 2021, meaning that the Malibu significantly underperformed the segment.
The GM Authority Take
The lackluster Chevy Malibu sales performance during Q4 2021 is the direct result of idled production of the sedan in February 2021 as a result of the ongoing global semiconductor microchip shortage. Production of the 2021 model remained stifled until getting back on track in November 1st. The Malibu, along with the Chevy Equinox, had been hit the hardest by chip-related production constraints as GM prioritized chips to more profitable products, namely full-size SUVs and pickup trucks.
Meanwhile, 2022 Chevy Malibu production commenced on December 10th. The 2022 Malibu sees a few minor changes and updates for what will be the seventh model year of the nameplate’s ninth generation.
With Malibu production now back under way, The Bow Tie brand’s midsize sedan is sure to regain a lot of the sales volume it had lost due to lack of supply. However, it will also continue to see strong competition from newer and potentially more desirable rivals from Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, and Kia. The Malibu’s age is also starting to show, as the current, ninth-generation sedan has been on sale since the 2016 model year, receiving a very light refresh for the 2019 model year.
Notably, the Malibu is currently the only Chevrolet sedan offered in the U.S., as Chevy has already discontinued other sedans, including the the Impala, Cruze, and Sonic. Additionally, the subcompact Spark hatchback will be dropped after the 2022 model year. The Malibu itself is expected to hit the chopping block around 2024, continuing GM’s shift toward more desired crossovers and SUVs, along with a forward-thinking focus on EVs. Fortunately for GM, Chevy sedan owners are moving into crossovers and are not being lost to rivals that still offer sedans.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Chevrolet Malibu sales in Q4 2020, except if noted
- In the United States, there were 78 selling days in Q4 2021 and 79 selling days in Q4 2020
- South Korea sales figures reflect actual vehicle registrations rather than wholesales
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Comments
Why does Chevrolet not develop the Malibu in terms of gearbox, becoming a ten-speed and a complete update of the car I am from the Gulf? Young people want sedans more than large SUVs, meaning that the proportion of sedans in the Gulf is higher than the percentage of large car sales. We want Chevrolet to return the Caprice or Impala or do a complete update on the Malibu.
Because their stupid!
Because this segment is shrinking fast and has very low margins. Wasting money on a low margin vehicle in a shrinking segment sounds like something a CEO with a Y chromosome would do. Once you go to an SUV/Truck you never go back.
So what are the margins on the Bolt twins or do we just don’t want to talk about that!
Now gm has the excuse to kill the Malibu by saying, ‘ Nobody wants ice sedans anymore ‘. Seen this plot before.
GM kill the sedans because a lack of vision, poorly designs, an using cheap materials in Cruze, Impalas , Sonic, an the Malibu, people AR moving to rivals, like Toyota, Honda, an even Volkswagen, it so pity because all discontinued models were good up to some point but the competition did it better than GM
According to GM no one wants sedans yet Toyota, Honda, Nissan and even Kia can sell them in volume. Oh my bad it’s because they actually take the time to improve their products versus letting them just become uncompetitive unless you a looking at car rental sales.
couldn’t agree with you more. instead of pouring all this money into EV’s and SUV’s/CUV’s, GM should have some dedicated funds to make a truly decent midsize that can go head to head with Toyota/Honda/Hyundai/Kia. These numbers proves that not everyone wants a SUV/CUV. I believe Camry’s numbers here outsell every Chevy model with the exception of Silverado.
So true, liked my 17 Malibu, got a bug up my ass to buy a new car back in April of 21. GM had jack, dealerships had no inventory, went to Toyota, bought a new 21 Camry Nightside and got a good deal, what else can I say?
Sounds like the usual suspects already, u can’t sell what wasn’t made..
what’s up the Chrysler 200 being on the list – wasn’t it discontinued back in 2018??????
How can GM sell a car with little to no inventory?
Because their stupid!
Bill you are right about that… GM once had the Opel brand and in the best years they were the second best selling brand in Europe, but with the lack of vision they decided to cut expenses in R&D, NO Innovation an therefore ended loosing the brand to a rival.
You said it all Fernando, no lack of idiots at GM!
The Opel brand failed to make a profit for GM for decades. True, they did make sales quantity “in the best years”, but overall profitability was not there. Only in the last year or two before it was sold did they barely get out of the red ink. That was due to the extraordinary uptick in economies after the global recession and was not expected to remain the norm. Internally, GM was thrilled to off load Opel. Off loaded a lot of expenses related to having a separate’ish, but mostly dependent car company. Not sure how Opel is doing now, but going forward I think the split from a dysfunctional relationship is best for both side.
LOL yes we have seen this plot before so many times. Refuse to make the product. Let it rot on the vine. Blame the pandemic for everything. But electric. The excuses flow like the Niagara Falls. And GM wonders why it’s marketshare keeps shrinking and shrinking. And to the claim that Chevy sedan owners are all moving to trucks and crossovers I say BS. In fact I have never seen such a colossal shift in former GM customers of anything changing to other brands as I have seen in the past 5 years. I can’t think of a single former GM sedan/hatch owner or customer that has purchased any GM product as a replacement and the vast majority are now driving a foreign make. It’s really sad watching a former great car company disintegrate into dust like GM is doing.
GMs US market share is now 13.3%, which is its lowest in nearly 100 years. Toyota took the US sales lead last year and is continuing to pull further ahead.
Yes, let’s go back to 2009 when GM marketshare went from 30% to almost 0% in months because of bad books, that’s due to no inventory, not because no one wants a GM. BTW how come Ford, FCA or the other foreign make had surpass GM yet?..
Give it time. All GM has propping itself up are trucks and full size SUV’s. Nothing else they sell is all that popular. Even the once popular Equinox has slipped to number 14 and sales continue to decline and note that the Yukon and Tahoe/Suburban aren’t even in the top 25. How long is the Silverado, which has slipped to 3rd place, the Sierra which sits at 12 and a declining Equinox going to keep this company from shrinking even more?
As said marketshare don’t mean great business, that means everyone else is doing awful because they don’t have any to sell just the bread/butter vehicles to keep the core alive, Honda will guarantee a Civic, Toyota a Camry or a Corolla, Ford an F150, FCA a Ram or Jeep and so on GM is doing the same..
Bring back automatic trans not cvt. Boring in driving a cvt. Thats one reason they don’t like malibu at this time.
Is GM good at anything. I just saw a ranking that put the bolt in second to last place among EVs. Why does everything GM produce finish at the back of the pack. Car and Driver just panned the inefficient Hummer EV. The Malibu is actually pretty good by GM standards.
GM strengths lay in large trucks (Silverado/Sierra), large SUV’s (Yukon/Escalade) and large sedans (Impala/LaSabre – all of which are now a thing of the past).
They say sedans won’t sell well in the States any longer. Now even though I prefer the coupes of my youth. And my 2nd youth lol. 2011 Caddy Turbo Coupe 6.2 😁
But I love my sedans too. 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXL 3.0. Great car and every bit as nice as a Cadillac.
I don’t want an SUV and to be cookie cutter like every other plain Jane out there. If I want a truck I’ll buy one. I DON’T!
So please GM listen!!! We’d like a new Monte Carlo SS. And for you to continue the Lacrosse Avenir for US too. Not just in China .