GM Begins Planning Next-Gen, 2025 Chevy Malibu: Exclusive
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The Chevy Malibu is a bit of an odd duck in today’s auto market, offered as the last remaining Chevy sedan in the the U.S. at a time when crossovers are very much all the rage, and packing an internal-combustion engine at a time when most of the industry is transitioning to EVs. Nevertheless, GM Authority has learned that The General has decided to keep the Chevy Malibu nameplate alive for at least one more generation.
That news may come as a shock to those readers who have been following GM Authority’s coverage thus far. Back in 2019, we reported that the current ninth-generation Chevy Malibu was slated to sunset in 2024, while in 2020, we reported that the future of the Malibu nameplate was uncertain. Now, however, GM Authority has learned from sources familiar with the matter that GM has decided to keep the Malibu nameplate kicking for at least one more generation.
Not only that, but we now have some interesting details to share regarding GM’s plans for the next-gen Chevy Malibu. For starters, the new model will ride on a variant of the GM VSS-F platform, specifically the larger D/E variant. This variant differs from the smaller platform variant that underpins the Chevy Trailblazer and Chevy Trax, also known as the VSS-F B/C platform variant.
The upcoming next-gen Chevy Malibu will also be tagged with program code 9DSC-L, with “9D” referencing the VSS-F architecture, “S” referencing the sedan body style, “C” referencing the Chevy brand, and “L” referencing the long wheelbase structure. From what we understand, this architecture could also be considered a new iteration of the GM E2 architecture that underpins the current Chevy Malibu.
Looking ahead, the next-gen Malibu is expected to be produced at the GM Fairfax plant in Kansas, the same facility that produces the current model. Production may kick off as early as 2025, and run through the 2031 calendar year. That said, it’s possible this timeline could change in the future.
The Chevy Malibu was ranked fourth in the midsize mainstream sedan segment in terms of sales through the first three quarters of the 2022 calendar year, with 79,799 units sold:
Sales Numbers - Midsize Mainstream Sedans - Jan - Sep 2022 - United States
| MODEL | YTD 22 / YTD 21 | YTD 22 | YTD 21 | YTD 22 SHARE | YTD 21 SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOYOTA CAMRY | -16.50% | 214,403 | 256,769 | 35% | 36% |
| HONDA ACCORD | -30.08% | 110,463 | 157,988 | 18% | 22% |
| NISSAN ALTIMA | +40.54% | 106,122 | 75,508 | 17% | 11% |
| CHEVROLET MALIBU | +148.17% | 79,799 | 32,155 | 13% | 5% |
| KIA K5 | -27.08% | 53,563 | 73,456 | 9% | 10% |
| HYUNDAI SONATA | -56.20% | 35,238 | 80,460 | 6% | 11% |
| SUBARU LEGACY | -8.22% | 17,159 | 18,695 | 3% | 3% |
| MAZDA MAZDA6 | -97.65% | 335 | 14,271 | 0% | 2% |
| CHRYSLER 200 | -60.00% | 2 | 5 | 0% | 0% |
| TOTAL | -13.00% | 617,084 | 709,307 |
Per previous GM Authority coverage, GM is also working on a new non-crossover, D-segment EV, likely a sedan, but possibly a fastback. For now, this new non-crossover EV looks as though it will be sold exclusively in China, at least for the time being.
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Seriously, they should release it in Korea, too. The production of Malibu ended last month at the Korean factory here. We need a new midsize sedan.
Now they need to make a Buick version. Not everyone wants an SUV. Bring back the Regal, or whatever they want to call it. I guess now it has to start with”En..”
How many Good Buicks need to fail before you learn?
You had three great sedans and a wagon and no one bought.
GM tried but no one cared. Did you buy one?
Yes, along with several others, we bought 2018-2020 Buick Regal TourX’s and are enjoying them immensely as alternatives to SUV’s.
Unfortunately you and 5 others. I loved the regal Wagon. Was my favorite rental car ever. Unfortunately before buying that I would buy a traverse, trading luxury for utility.
Maybe if they slapped a Toyota emblem on these they would move them. Those are the only customers buying sedans these days it seems
Best car I ever owned and I’ve had many was the 2018 tourx wagon… still kicking myself for turning in at end of lease
I bought a brand new in 2017 and it’s the best car I ever owned and I would buy another one in “Heartbeat !” It has 83,394 miles on it ! This beautiful owe me nothing ,a very great automobile ! Great job ,GM !!!!!
They had 3 ok sedans that all had shortcomings but werr priced like they didn’t.
What the Malibu needed about 3 years ago a
Was a much nicer interior, 2.0t/ 9 speed performance but 87 octane ( so the 3.6, which is so much better) and a better looking rear and front.
Almost as good as a 10 year old Accord isn’t going to cut it.
Yes, we did !!!!
Smart move general motors. The Korean manufacturers seem to have taken over this segment of sedan sales. Current Malibu should have been refreshed three years ago.
I believe there’s a lot of demand out there for a nice looking modern looking midsize sedan and I think the I think Chevrolet the Malibu could fill that bill pretty easily if they really want to
The current Malibu still has one of the sleekest body styles in its class, GM just needs to do a better job of updating it (mostly the interior) and keeping it fresh. The interior should get digital instrumentation and a large touchscreen display and more soft touch materials. GM should also bring back the hybrid model. but updated with more power.
Make all wheel drive an option……….
AWD would be nice. They added it to the Camry and Lexus ES recently. The Altima has it too.
It likely could happen given that the future platform is used currently for AWD vehicles.
The current platform has AWD available for other cars. The Regal had a similar platform and it utilized AWD. A lot of GM’s cars share a similar platform. Every single one of them comes available with AWD except for the Malibu, Trax, and Encore. Chevy could have capitalized on the discontinued Regal and added AWD to the Malibu. Around the time the Regal left the Fusion left as well. It too, had AWD, the Avenger and 200 had AWD available as well. Chevy still didn’t capitalize on adding AWD to the Malibu. Chevy will more than likely avoid AWD. Chevy will probably take away the 1.5t, and add in the 1.2t 3-cylinder from the Trax and Trailblazer. This plan was an afterthought, if rumors are true, and they release a new gen by 2025. More than likely they’ll do the same thing as what they did with the 8th gen to 9th gen. Take displacement, power and a better interior away, going into the 10th gen. The 8th gen had more power, similar fuel economy and better base interior than the 9th gen. I’d wager that the 8th gen LTZ had a better interior than the recently discontinued 9th gen Premier trim. Chevy knows that the aging Malibu is out performing the K5 and Sonata in terms of sales. There is almost no reason to invest money into a car that can still take sales away from the more modern K5 and Sonata. At best they’ll retain the 1.5t and just add in a better interior with no AWD or more potent engine available. Probably not even a hybrid alternative. But my expectations are what they are. Moving into the 10th gen, we’ll see less power, less displacement, less features, worse interior materials, while retaining similar fuel economy. They’ll brag that its the cheapest car in the segment. But by the time you have everything that other manufacturers have standard you’ll be in a more expensive car. That still has less power than it’s competitors.
Look at the Silverado, the only reason it got a better interior was because RAM was eating into their sales and not Ford’s. That is the only reason why Chevy updated the interior of the Silverado. They had no intention of adding the better interior until their best seller started dipping in sales.
Malibu is on life support. With no electric Chevy “sedan” for sale what else is there to do.
Trouble in the EV paradise universe in terms of supply chain shortages. gm has to keep ICE car around to make transition.
The trouble with them the sedans is general motors never advertises them nobody even knows they made an Impala or a Malibu they don’t promote them on television Toyota is talking about the Camry almost every day on television you see it advertised general motors for some reason doesn’t know how to advertise
Jim
Leak oil around 100000 miles my sister, my brother and my church member Malibu did the same thing.
I’m not surprised they are keeping it around. Our Malibu has been flawless the six years we have owned it…knock on wood. And it seems I have been seeing more and more of them on the road.
I am glad you lucked out with your Malibu. My 2016 Cruise Limited overall has been a good car. But had to have head gasket replaced with only 30500 miles on it, oh lest I forget, the AC compressor and evaporator both must be replaced fort $3,500. However, to date, I have not had to replace a single light in the car. If it had 90,000 miles on it, I wouldn’t think much of those needing replacement, but at 32,000 miles to me it indicates that GM is now using substandard parts.
Make improvements but keep it affordable.
The Malibu is slated to run through the 31 model year. This auto will probably get electrified somewhere in this cycle.
Yes! This is excellent news. Use the Audi A5 or A7 as a template.
Pls do a Buick version too! Those dealers need something for the Buick loyalists that want a sedan.
Ok critics take note GM is keeping a sedan in the line up for you. Now the challenge is in you to buy enough of them to make this a good decision and not another Regal or Impala left to rot on the dealer lot.
Buick made three attempts but non of you bought one. They sat and got discounted till they were gone a year after they left production.
None of these sedans are doing well. They were in decline before and will continue as the economy sours and interest rates go up.
Now before you start adding AWD V6/and other major changes consider just how much will someone way for a Chevy sedan. It is not as much as a Toyota as those people buy blindly.
GM will make a go of it and it will be interesting to see if all those web CEO’s will put their money into a car they begged for or will they like normally fade away with no purchase?
I have my Malibu yet will you buy one?
Actually the declining economy & soaring interest rates will help Sedans.
Crossovers/SUVs cost more to build, maintain and fuel than sedans so if anything we’ll see a repeat of 2009 with a migration back to Sedans.
Not going to happen.
Indeed! Its already helping as people are cutting back on high priced SUVs and crossovers.
The latest Buick Regal and LaCrosse were not a legit effort. They were both half baked at best.
Actually both were very good cars.”
C8.R: I will give you this. They were both good cars. Their problem was that the LaCrosse was trying to be too much for too many buyers. In other words, it was the only sedan that the Park Ave, Lucerne, LeSabre, Century and LaCrosse owners had to choose from. It wasn’t to the level that the Lucerne and Park Ave buyer wanted and it became too expensive for the LaCrosse/LeSabre/Century owners. As for the Regal, it was a little pricey and too European/Opel. It was not enough “Buick” and not assembled here. That’s “my opinion” as to why they didn’t sell better even though they were good cars.
They both were the best Buicks in years. You were coming off 30 years of FWD crap and they offered luxury and even AWD.
CR.8: You say they were the best Buicks in years. Although they were good, there were not the best. If they were, they would have sold more. The rest of what you say is just hogwash at best. There is absolutely nothing wrong with front wheel drive. In fact, those front drive Buicks sold in large numbers for many years. And luxury? Nothing Buick offered in the past 10 years came close to the Park Avenues of years past.
Malibu is also a cash cow. Powertrain from the equinox, seats from the trailblazer. They push these out, sell them to hertz for 20K and still make a pretty penny.
So my question is with a new Malibu for 2025, and the likleyhood they’ll keep it 7-9 years what does that due to the “zero emissions” by 2030????? At this rate I’m especting a MCE in 2029 with a new generation in 2033.
Question is will there be a new engine? Patents show miller cycle 4cylinder engines, and the “tripower” VVL system was introduced in 2014 in the Malibu before moving mainstream in the 2.0 and 2.7 in Chevy and Cadillac. Malibu is a low risk test bed for new tech before releasing it mainstream on the equinox/trailblazer.
Not a cash cow but kept alive by sharing common parts.
The only brands that GM has stated will be zero emissions by 2030 are Cadillac and Buick. Why are you making up information that suggests the Malibu will also be?
Bringing out a new one in 25 and they could extend that model to 2033. If those who hate EVs continue to buy the ICE Malibu, GM will produce a new model. Reality is, the EV Malibu will sell in greater volumes and be more profitable and no one will buy the ICE version.
Steve may friend , There are no cars in this class for 20K and Next the one engine you mentioned ,the 2.7 is strictly for rear drive cars and light duty pickup trucks ! To convert the Malibu to rear drive or to convert the 2.7 for use in front drive, would increase price higher than the competition !
Hertz, enterprise all negotiate huge discounts with OEM’s. That’s why rarely you see toyota at rental car stores. You mostly see Chevy, ford and Nissans.
The most common sedan you see at rental car stores are Malibu LT’s, a 32K car that enterprise negotiate a to 24-28K. With how cheap Chevy makes the Malibu, their still raking in 4-6K per unit despite that price.
Read my prior comment all the way through. The 2.7 is based off the 2.5VVL introduced on the 2014 Malibu. They share head design, bore spacing and you can bolt one head on the other. The 2.7 is the 2.5 with a stroker kit, reinforced block with offset crankshaft and a turbo. The Malibu was the test bed for this engine so it begs to wonder if the 2025 Malibu will feature a new generation of small transverse engine.
Steve: You truly need to update your thoughts and comments. For the past 10+ years, Toyota has been a rental lot queen along with Nissan. Now, had you said Honda instead of Toyota, I would agree with you as they sell almost no vehicles to the rentals. Secondly, there are no rental companies buying cars at huge discounts for the past 2-4 years now. Seems like your comment is coming from the 1980’s.
Steve NO, The 2.7 has nothing in common with the 2.5 other than being a 4 cylinder. The 2.7 was built from ground up, As a heavy duty 4 cylinder pickup truck engine ! Just read the history of the Chevy 4cylinder 2.7 truck engine .
The MALIBU is a nice car and this is good news. I rented a MALIBU last year for vacation. I had a ’21 NISSAN ALTIMA but I got rear ended back in December and the car was totaled. My rental was a CHEVROLET MALIBU in the aftermath. I seriously considered one while waiting for the settlement. However, I went with a ’23 NISSAN ALTIMA. One of the reasons was that I was familiar with the ALTIMA and didn’t have to get used to something different, The other reason is that the ALTIMA has more standard HP and no turbo to potentially create problems later on. Mind you I’m not a hod rod sports car person but when going 70mph on the freeway, the 1.5L was poking at or above 2000rpm which isn’t bad. But my ALTIMA 2.5L at the same speed never goes above 2000rpm unless I push it. To me that means the engine will last longer and less noise.
The market, interest rates and pricing will dictate if G.M. or any ice builder gets to zero emissions. Zero emissions may still turn out to be nothing more then a liberal wet dream.
I don’t understand how other companies can be happy with 20-30,000 unit sales but for GM unless it sells 950,000,000,0000 units in the first year….it’s getting dropped.
Did you know Nissan still sells a Maxima? When was the last time anyone bought a Maxima? But there it is…..
Nissan is ending Maxima production in the next few months…and supposedly resurrecting the Maxima name for their EV sedan in 2025. As the Altima grew in size, the Maxima didn’t. People wanting an entry level luxury sedan at a bargain price still bought the Maxima. Most Nissan sedan shoppers ended up with an Altima and got a more efficient, more comfortable car for a lower price.
But they are still making it now and they have been for years, even when no one know about the car or was buying it…..if this was GM the second the sales dropped from 100,000 to 99,999 they would have announced the cancellation of the car.
I think they still even sell a Sentra too? 3 sedans in a line up? Wow, every Nissan owner must not be hauling boxes everywhere they go, they must just….use their cars like cars.
Very little difference in size between the ALTIMA and MAXIMA. No need to shed too many tears since if you want a more premium sedan and stay in the NISSAN family, there’s always INFINITI. Much the same way TOYOTA stopped building the AVALON so LEXUS dealers benefit from that.
Actually, the declining economy has somewhat… helped sedans a little…
Our Malibu has been great, but it could do with an interior refresh. Just use many of the same parts from the upcoming Chevy EVs to keep it simple and reuse parts. Personally, I was hoping GM and Honda could use the same platform for ICE sedans to help sunset those platforms.
Love the Malibu! Follow Toyota with the new Prius, and make the Malibu a true hybrid. This will take the Malibu into 2031 and beyond.
Hybrid only isn’t a bad idea assuming it doesn’t add a massive amount to the price tag.
I could not agree more. Make the Malibu a 250 hp hybrid. It would still have great MPGs (high 30s) and great acceleration. Update the exterior and interior while increasing the price around $2500 to $3000.
This is the route Cadillac should go in lieu of the transition to straight EVs. Audi’s midlevel performance S models utilize this as does a few BMWs. Toyota has done this with the RX and Rav4, Honda with the Accord, and I believe this is the direction both will continue. My next vehicle will be a hybrid that does not sacrifice performance.
The Malibu was available as a hybrid from 2008-2010, and then again from 2016-2019…no one bought it and GM stopped offering it. They aren’t going to try again.
I hope GM isn’t this short sighted. If they want to continue producing a Malibu for another 5+ years, it can’t be with the same formula. If they want to keep the base engine with the 1.5 turbo, fine. But a hybrid of some sort is the way forward.
This is beyond great news. I am happy.
If I may, I’d like to address some of the comments above. First to CR.8 as you seem to repeat the same stuff on every sedan article. Say what you will, but in 2021 there were about 2 million sedans sold in the USA. Please explain to others how you feel that is nothing. All things are cyclical and sedans will come back. Now I’d like to address your concern for the Buick models not selling. The Verano did sell well (for a Buick), but the last two Regal models didn’t sell so well. It’s my opinion that this was because these didn’t really seem like real Buick’s and were just re-badged Opels. Big mistake. The LaCrosse sold well in it’s first gen (2005 – 2009) and the redesign of the 2010 sold well at first. However, (IMO and I was selling them then) they tried to cover too many customers with that one car. Remember, the 2011 was the last year for the Lucerne. That all new LaCrosse also had some issues at first that hurt the model. What I’m saying is that Buick lost it’s way on their sedans from 2009 on to the end. Solution? Buick could and should use the current Malibu and produce a sedan. Call it Regal or whatever works. Buick then needs to use the Cadillac CT5 and produce a nicer model. Give these cars different interiors and sheet metal and give them names. By sharing with the CT5 and Malibu, it would not only give Buick the much needed sedans, but it would also give those production lines more vehicles to produce. A win-win for all. So although sedan sales are not what they used to be, they will come back and this would allow GM to be way ahead of Ford and Chrysler.
I agree with Bob above. Sedan models will come back and this does tie in with the economy. But there’s another side to this which is that buyers tire of the same old thing. Myself and other on GMA constantly speak up about preferring a sedan over the SUV type vehicles. But this was not always the case with me as I’ve driven more SUV’s from 2001 to the present than sedans. But I tired of them and no longer want one. Point being that buyers preferences change. Anyhow, this has gotten too long and I apologize for that. I’m just happy to read this news. Thank you GM and Chevy.
Read the numbers and the direction they are going. Q
You can act like they are going up but they are all in decline while every CUV is on the up and making more money.
Automakers have a choice. Invest in a car that brings little income or CUV that sells better and it makes more money.
C8.R: Please respond for once to this counter. In the past, I don’t believe you ever have and I’m sure it’s because you don’t have any answer to it.
LOST SALES and LOST FUTURE SALES. I truly want to know how you spin this. When a sedan buyer goes to buy another Buick sedan and they find none to buy, where do they go? GM’s own research shows that they are not buying the Buick SUV/CUV’s. When that Chevy Cruze and Sonic drivers go to buy another Chevy small car, what do they find? If/when they refuse to buy a CUV, guess who’s getting those sales? The Japanese and Korean brands. Those are lost sales and getting those customers back will not be cheap, if they ever get them back.
Now take those same lost sales who purchased a Honda or Toyota or Kia. Where are they sending their friends? Relatives? Neighbors? You certainly don’t think they are telling them to go back to Chevy or Buick do you? This problem lasts for generations and GM has already screwed the pooch on most while Ford has totally given car buyers the middle finger.
So you keep going back to the current fad of SUV’s and you never address the long term problem. Please do so.
Look selling product today is different today. Selling cars has changed several times.
In the early years you had a variation on one model. You relied on volume of that one model.
Then companies like GM went to selling variations of one model but in various divisions in price steps.
Then in the 60’s it exploded to each division selling various models in a number of variations and trying to do it all on volume. You did not make much on each car because they sold cheap. But you made it up on volume.
As car prices are getting to be more and more most companies are turning to a volume division and a luxury division. The 5-6 brands just do not work as cost of development is high as is marketing and you just don’t move as much volume as you once did.
Now the focus of most companies is economics. You work to get more return on investment. You so this by selling cars at higher profits by cutting the cost of development and increased platform sharing.
Case in point you can invest in a Bu the same amount as a Nox but the Nox will sell 2-3 times as. Many models at the same or higher price.
RTI Return on investment is todays game.
Very few are playing the multi divisions and ultra high global volume like VW.
With the coming EV models development cost will decline and most assembly plants will hold about half of the employees they have now.
Also you may note the automakers are working to limits stock at dealers and encourage people to order their cars. This will keep prices up and incentives down on lost models especially in an economic down turn.
GM in the past was the largest in the world but still went bankrupt do to major miss management and poor deals. GM had contracts that made it cheaper to build W bodies at a loss vs closing plants down.
CUV models are not a fad they are the market. They can be had in a number of sizes and prices and most all get great mpg.
Look I own a Malibu but I have had several SUV and CUV models. The Bu gets worse mpg than my Acadia. I can’t get nothing boxy in the trunk due to the short deck lid. I have often had to unbox items to fit the trunk.
It will not carry 6 people or my dogs kennel crate.
Now I do like the Bu but it is not my go to for comfort, economy or utility. I am not alone here as the market is there. Just go to any parking lot and look at what is parked there and if you still call the majority a fad then you are blind.
The coming EV thing I expect is going to be a new reset for most companies and we will see many changes in how vehicles are build sold and owned. This will keep evolving due to regulations and economics,
Sedans may come back sone day or they could be gone. Being most EV models are on platforms that are shared we could see more niche models as will be cheaper to build.
To be honest many are predicting the future but still not 100% sure where this will go. This is all new territory for everyone.
But right now GM or any mfgs future is not reliant on sedan production or being number one in volume. It is more about how much money you will be making and high returns on investments. Being efficient wins this game. There will be little room for mistakes and losses.
Right now Ford is in major trouble with high debts and lower profits. Their stock prices are a major problem and if not for the Ford family owning 51% they may have been a take over victim.
All these post are often based on “I Think or I feel”. well companies are not run on I think or feel.
Mfgs use real numbers and predations to target incomes. They can not afford a multi billion dollar program to under produce as that money is already targeted to the next program to be done. That is why trucks are so important as they pay for their development as well as others programs like the Malibu that do not pay as many bills.
FYI do I like this no. This is not what I think or feel like most post state. This is what I have learned from my work and my dealing with auto company people.
We the enthusiast no longer dominate the market. People want safe, affordable and vehicles that fit their life style or hobbies.
The Malibu today sell less than what GM sold in SS Chevelles some years. In its prime a Chevelle could move 500,000 units. That was behind Impala sales that were greater. Today we sell just over 100k.
Making inroads on Honda and Toyota is near impossible as their owners are happy and loyal. New models and markets are where gains are made. Even Honda and Toyota are seeing steady declines.
CR.8: Wow. You said a lot there and still didn’t even touch on my challenge to you. Why do you avoid this part of the equation?
First, if you say your Malibu gets the same MPG as you Acadia, then I’m calling total BS. I’ve sold GMC’s for quite a few years and they struggled to do much better than the Yukon. I’ve sold a lot of them and know they won’t do the MPG of the Malibu. So either you are full of it or you have an amazing Acadia or you have a bad Malibu. Which is it?
You often bring up about the boxes. What the heck do you do? I’ve never hears anyone talk about hauling that much. Not only that, but most stores will deliver cheap or for free. Or, order from online with free shipping. That’s all better than pushing some big oversized box around with worse MPG just to haul a few boxes a year.
So allow me to re-direct you back to my challenge. Again, you speak about a lot of stuff but I’ve never seen you respond to those lost sales and future lost sales. Repeat and referrals that are lost to the import brands. The fact that it’s near impossible and very costly to get those customers back. This is a real problem that Ford and GM face because of bad decisions. Your response?
Oh, and no you are not correct. Selling product (cars) today is quite similar to years ago. I know. I’m in the business and have been for 22 years off and on again since 1988. The basic concept has not changed.
I think you underestimate the number of people that have switched from cars to CUV’s. They take a small mpg penalty for much better seating comfort and hauling capabilities and not to mention the room they take up is smaller (same width but shorter length than the car counter part). Cars aren’t going to make a come back, CUV’s rise as well as cars (they share plat forms and have more suspension travel so they can ride better in many cases too).
You talk sales, well considering the compact car vs CUV market in Q1-Q3 in 2022 the car market was outsold over 3 to 1, so where do you think manufacturers are going to put their money? Especially as every year more and more make the change when they realize the benefits. We can haul so much more in my wifes Rav4 than a comparable Carolla, heck it hauls more than the Camry and I am more comfortable in the back seat of a Rav4 than Camry with barely any MPG penalty. Not to mention no worries about dragging out belly on anything with four people in the car.
You talk lost sales, you aren’t seeing a 1 to 1 change in buyers from one brand to another when their car is gone, some move internally to a CUV if they are brand loyal, some move to other brands CUV’s when they see how much bang for the buck you get with the CUV at the same cost, and some move to the same size car at another brand. But you aren’t seeing car sales stay flat, look a the last just ten years the swing. Just because you say it doesn’t mean it is true, just look at any data set.
It sucks the car you like is gone and great to see a Malibu continue on, but I don’t have high hopes at the data shows otherwise in most cases. But please don’t spin your data around incorrectly for your own narrative, 2 million cars, great, the compact CUV market sold 2.7 million combined in Q1-Q3 alone, so I can see why the US has been pulling back and the foreign competition hasn’t been growning as you make it seem, quite the opposite in fact…
It only takes common sense to look at production numbers sales numbers and the average parking lot to see the sedan that was top in the market is now at the bottom.
You can spin this and not like it but numbers don’t lie.
Years ago if you told me there would not be many if any RWD sedans with V8 engines I would have said you were nuts. They sold more Caprice than they sell coupe and sedans at GM today combined.
You don’t have to like it but it is what it is.
The fact is sales are up and more money is made on the number of SUV and CUV models and if sedans were making it there would be more car not less. If you really have common sense you would know that.
commonsense: Are you in sales and/or have you ever been in auto sales? From what you say, I’m guessing not. Just like CR.8 or C8.R (whichever they decide to be that day), there is little to nothing in what you said that addresses the issue of lost sales now, lost sales to those same customers in the future and lost sales to the lost referrals from those lost sales. This is huge and we are not getting a correct picture until they do address it.
When you bring up Q1-Q3 sales of compact car vs. CUV for “2022”, then you just lost cred from there on out. Of course taking 2022, the CUV is going to be higher (although not nearly as much as you may me implying) than the compact sedan market. Chrysler corp, Ford and GM offer zero compacts now. So when you decide to go back to 2015 +/- and make that same comparison, you won’t have a case as the compact sedans would be much higher. In other words, you can’t sell from an empty shelf.
Lastly, I have (unfortunately) been in way too many Toyota models over the years from riding in Lyft for my work. The second you say the rear seat is more comfortable in the Rav3 over the Camry, I will call your bluff on that. I’ve ridden many miles in both and I would choose the Camry (Malibu, Fusion, Mazda 6, etc) every time. Finally, like C8.R, you bring up this hauling issue. How much crap do you people buy? I’ve had over 15 SUV/CUV’s over the past 20 years and many sedans. I have yet to find a time where that SUV was truly needed. This sounds like an excuse to me.
You asked how it works and I posted.
#1 my 3.6 Bu gets 18 city. My 21 3.6 Acadia has averaged 21 mpg on the same roads. Like it or not and that average is over 17,000 miles on the Acadia not one tank.
I just did a 2 hour drive on secondary highways @70 mpg and saw 30 mpg for the last 50 miles per the DIC.
My Canyon Denali Crew gets 20 mpg ant that is over 18,000 miles as an average with very few highway miles.
My 17 Acadia got 19 over the same roads. The only real difference is the transmission and auto stop that adds little.
It is what it is and I have no reason to lie as what’s it to you?
We just built an addition. We added hand made furniture from Amish country. Haul a table or the corner cabinet not in the Bu.
Thinks like a TV will not fit in the Bu. Larger boxed toys will not fit the Bu.
Over the years I have had a number of boxes that are square and they just do not fit. If it was an older larger sedan it would.
I did explain to you about lost sales. It is not about volume but profits per sale. You may sell less vehicles but the return on investment and profits are up.
Chasing every last customer is no longer viable due to the costs anymore. You start spending more to fill niches that will never cover development.
Low end vehicles need volume to make money today but it often leads to fewer choices. But higher prices can afford lower volumes. But the customer pays for it in the end.
I hate to tell you but take the blinders off. Your world is in major transition and you better catch on fast.
Since Covid it is a whole different world. Look at the inventory you no longer carry. Look at the prices you are charging and not cutting deals on any more. Look at the small to no incentives. Look at the over sticker prices some dealers are asking.
I expect a number of dealers to fold. They will not be able to keep up and with investment for EV they will take the buy outs. GM has way too many dealers and has been looking now to cut them.
You may deny that but just look up the number of dealers Toyota vs Chevy and the others. GM dealers have more competition from other GM dealers vs the other brands. It hurts them all.
Again none of this is my opinion but what the mfgs and those in the market are seeing and doing.
Nothing against you personally but most dealers are clueless on what is going on. They only worry about their little world.
You will be faced with more challenges in the next 3 years than you have seen in 22 years. Your world is about to be to rocked.
I wish you luck and hope you really start looking beyond the dealer doors to see what is going on.
The way you “addressed” my challenge is to talk about sales today with less inventory, etc. You bring up profit today, but that does nothing to address the lost profits from lost sales down the road and from lost referrals. Either you just don’t get it or you really don’t want to address it. But that’s not relevant as neither you nor I are in a position to correctly address it. I just hope GM pulls their heads out of their back sides before it’s way too late.
BTW, in my 22 years in auto related sales, I’ve never seen anything like the past 2 years. The next 2-3 years is going to be a huge challenge (seems like we agree on this). But it’s not going to be due to lack of inventory. It’s going to be from lack of quality buyers. What we are already seeing is dealers going back to being the robbers they are and it being or becoming a buyers market again. We will see huge discounts again soon and dealers fighting for the sale. But again, the true quality buyers have been tapped out and won’t be back in the market for the next couple years. On top of that, the market is going to start seeing a ton of repos and loan defaults. Buyers from the last 2 years are (mostly all) so upside down because these dealers were charging way over MSRP and sticking all the junk on the vehicles. I mean please, what moron would ever pay $8,000 over MSRP for a Toyota or any car? They deserve what they got.
FYI I agree on bad decisions just not the way you see it,
From the 60’s to the bail out GM made a bunch of poor decisions or some decisions that needed made were not made.
GM never managed Pontiac correctly. If you study their history they were amen engineers division but GM never knew how to manage it. Pontiac fought with Chevy more than any other brand.
Many of Pontiac successes were where engineers broke rules. The GTO, the 421 SD the 455 SD. I can give you a laundry list of Pontiac tech GM refused a decade before others had it.
Ford biggest failure was when ever a Vord ran the company they struggled accept for Edsel Ford. HF1 lost his mind and HF2 was an ego Heavy drunk.
Today ford got loans on the plants and from the energy department. They still owe on these loans.
The Aluminum F150 was expected to pay things off but increases in Aluminum has lowered profits. GM went mixed materials as did Ram and both make more per unit sold. The stock prices show the results.
The way you “addressed” my challenge is to talk about sales today with less inventory, etc. You bring up profit today, but that does nothing to address the lost profits from lost sales down the road and from lost referrals. Either you just don’t get it or you really don’t want to address it. But that’s not relevant as neither you nor I are in a position to correctly address it. I just hope GM pulls their heads out of their back sides before it’s way too late.
BTW, in my 22 years in auto related sales, I’ve never seen anything like the past 2 years. The next 2-3 years is going to be a huge challenge (seems like we agree on this). But it’s not going to be due to lack of inventory. It’s going to be from lack of quality buyers. What we are already seeing is dealers going back to being the robbers they are and it being or becoming a buyers market again. We will see huge discounts again soon and dealers fighting for the sale. But again, the true quality buyers have been tapped out and won’t be back in the market for the next couple years. On top of that, the market is going to start seeing a ton of repos and loan defaults. Buyers from the last 2 years are (mostly all) so upside down because these dealers were charging way over MSRP and sticking all the junk on the vehicles. I mean please, what moron would ever pay $8,000 over MSRP for a Toyota or any car? They deserve what they got.
Look I answered your question and if you don’t agree that is fine you can have your opinion. Profits are profits Yesterday, today and tomorrow. Volume is no guarantee of profits as we saw GM bankrupt at #1 in sales.
GM is hoping to get a jump on the EV programs as there is no avoiding them anymore. Every MFG will be forced into them and the better prepared companies will have an advantage in costs and could pick up volume that way.
GM is also expecting to license and sell tech to other MFGS like they already have with Honda as many companies can not afford the future unless they merge or partner with a larger company.
The dealers job is to get what they can out of a vehicle. If people are stupid enough to pay over sticker than fine. No one is holding a gun on them.
Look You want to sell a car to every single person in the mark. I have expressed that it is no longer volume but the return on investment and profit that matter. Volume is no longer the prime thing due to economics of the market.
GM has been doing things smart. They are maintaining their stock prices, they are making money to the point they are not laying off 8,000 people like Ford and have not sold out like FCA.
Hyundai has been doing ok volume but they enjoy advantages as major numbers of cars imported and many here built in non union plants. Every mfg. has different challenges and all can not be measure with the same gauge.
For what it is worth GM is set to take number one in the US market again over Toyota.
The folks that are upside down are to blame for their place. Also the loan originators share blame too. Offering these loans are like drugs to them.
Like I have said the next few years are going to be tough and of most MFGs GM is in a pretty good place to survive it. You may not like not being number one or selling a vehicle for every niche but sometimes taking a step back is good for a company that is too spread out that they may be big but they are broke.
Here lets try this to explain the market.
The North American market is seeing really no growth. If not for China growth most automakers would be struggling even more.
With growth capped and to get people to swap brands very difficult automakers are looing to be more efficient to be profitable.
No they don’t want to lose market share but if the profits are low to none they are not going to stay in that segment or market. That is why the brands in Australia shut down. Cheap imports from Asia under cut the prices and made it tough to make money even worse the economics of importing from any place but Asia has made it hard to sell anything there at a low price.
This is why GM and Ford import much from Asia but only the higher dollar cars from the US market. The cars they built in country were not profitable and if they raised the price they would not sell.
Hyundai, Mazda and Toyota all import from cheap to run plants and make money on low price cars. Add to that they already make models RHD as they address other countries in Asia with RHD where GM really is mostly LHD.
GM and Ford and Toyota shut down in Australia over a two year period, not only Australia, but Opel in Germany, Vauxhall in the Uk, plus other asian and South American countries, because Trump wanted to make the USA great again, and offered special tax deals to them, great idea for the USA.
Get a life Parker
Unless you’re talking about a 1980’s Malibu with a V8 there is no way an Acadia with any of its current powertrains is getting better mpg than a current Malibu or even one made in the past 20 years or so!
08 Bu Vs 21 Acadia both with 3.6 V6
I just looked we dropped 1/2 mpg with the 8 below last week but we are still at 20.4 MPG. That is the average over 17,000 miles not one tank.
The Bu I have is still sitting at 18 MPG.
Well, the early 3.6 wasnt known for great mileage. But the later ones are much better, and the 6speeds help a bit too. My 2015 impala 3.6 has averaged 30.6 mpg over the last 27k miles…
GM should have kept the Impala, which was much better in value and quality than the Malibu. GM dumped the wrong vehicle again.
I loved the Impala. Drove one as a rental and planned on adding it to my personal fleet until GM discontinued it. Purchased another truck instead. With the prices of trucks what they are, I’m looking to trade in my Silverado for a new vehicle. I’d love a full size sedan, but those don’t really exist anymore. I’d settle for a midsize SUV. Gonna wait for the new Acadia and now maybe the Malibu. Unfortunately, the leader in the clubhouse is the new Honda Accord with a hybrid engine.
I think GM needs a PHEV AWD version of the Malibu to better combat their competitors, and they have just the parts they need in their Ultium system. First, the 90 hp AWD Assist Motor. This is an induction motor (no permanent magnet efficiency loss) installed on the rear axle. This unit already has the reduction gears and the diff installed. Next, two Ultium modules producing 177 volts. These modules each consist of 24 cells, each cell 23x4x0.4 and weighing about 3 pounds each. In total the two modules contain 17.6 kWh of energy, enough to go all electric for something around 60-65 miles in around town driving, remember the motor only puts out 90 hp. The upside of this is the 90 hp could be added to the ICE output for better performance and economy. A standard Ultium Inverter could be used to connect the battery to the motor, similar to AWD in the upcoming Equinox EV.
That’s the standard stuff. Specialized components like a second motor/generator has to be integrated with the ICE to charge the battery. This motor could be used to seamlessly start the ICE for start/stop operations. A second DC-DC converter would be necessary for 12 volts since the ICE/alternator isn’t always on. Finally charging electronics, I personally feel L1 120 volt or L2 240 volt would be sufficient considering the batteries small size.
Above sales chart just indicates that Chevy and Nissan are willing to dump cars on fleets and other makes are not.
But still amazing how small the mid size sedan market has become. Even Honda is down to low 100k for Accords.
Sweet! Now let’s hope they change their minds with Camaro. I’m lined up and ready to buy if there’s a 7th Gen that they changed their minds on.
Camaro Man ,I feel the same way ,But Gm can keep Alpha by using the Caddy C4 sedan replace the name and Bring back the name Chevelle Malibu rear drive sedan !
I left out some information ,That could work with Chevelle Malibu comment . Chevy and every other pickup truck manufactures are doing it and That is sale regular Malibu with the top model being the Malibu Chevelle !
Yes!! If the 7th gen Camaro comes out on the Alpha2 platform (used on the Cadillac CT4), I am buying one IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!
The 6th gen Camaro on the Alpha platform from the Cadillac ATS is the greatest American Sports Car of all time, in my opinion. The 6th gen Camaro ZL1 1LE was putting down better lap times than Porsches/Ferraris.
My wife and I leased a 2017 Malibu premier and loved it so much we purchased an updated 2019 Malibu premier when we turned our lease in. We both the Malibu for the sleek looks and the how great of an all around car it is. The 2.0L turbo has plenty of punch (atleast the ‘16-‘19 version I can’t speak for what they’re currently running under the hood). It’s comfortable, it handles well, and is great in parking lots and traffic. Also plenty of trunk space for a family of 4 to bring home groceries or take a road trip.
I am glad to see they’re keeping the nameplate going atleast 1 more generation. Hopefully they will incorporate AWD as an option for those of us who live where snow falls but hate the thought of a CUV/SUV.
Come on GM give us everything we currently have in our Malibu but throw in AWD!! (And maybe figure out how to option a spare tire and jack instead of that stupid tire refill kit).
This is absolutely EPIC news…and also a bit bittersweet. While having a new, modern Chevrolet car, built in the US, is fantastic, it’ll also mean that with the impending death of the Cadillac CT4/5, the new Malibu will soon be THE only American branded and built sedan left in the US of A. Pretty wild to think about after nearly a century of Buicks, Oldsmobiles, Dodges, Fords, Plymouths, Pontiacs, etc., etc.
But whatever – again, a new ‘Bu is awesome news. Moreover, with GM’s improved emphasis (over the last five to 10 years) on higher quality interiors, lighter curb weights…and a continuing track record of beautiful (or at least always tasteful) exterior styling, there’s every expectation that this new model won’t just be competitive, but possibly class leading!
Finally, and to my mind anyway, a new Malibu is just smart business. While shrinking more with each passing year, sedan sales are still in the multi-millions annually. To abandon the market entirely – to have no American option at all – is absolutely leaving money on the table. Good on GM for (hopefully) seeing this, staying in the game.
Looking forward to the next generation Malibu styling.
Many people miss the Volt. Why not put that powertrain in a more mainstream car like the Malibu? Make it handsome. It would cost the same and be more spacious. That is if Musk doesn’t buy GM and cancel it
Malibu must be doing something right, with the biggest increase in sales.
GM might be seeing that EV conversion will not go as quick and easy.
It’s good having some ICE vehicles for those wo are going to avoid EVs for as long as possible or who
need a long drive trip vehicle.
Fleet man fleet, consumers aren’t
This is great news for GM sedan lovers (I currently have two!),