GM Begins Planning Next-Gen, 2025 Chevy Malibu: Exclusive
94
Sponsored Links
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.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Malibu news, Chevy news, GM business news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
- Sweepstakes Of The Month: Win a 2023 Corvette Z06 Convertible. Details here.
Sponsored Links
I think this is a signal that GM’s EV wet dream isn’t so certain to reach fruition as quickly as they had hoped. I believe that EV’s will take over eventually, but with Lithium going up in price by 800% in eighteen months (WSJ) they are hedging their bets.
This is good news. They just need to get the feature content and pricing right along with being stylish.
I for one, am glad the Malibu is continuing its production. The current Malibu has been a very comfortable and reliable vehicle. Not everyone can afford or want the new SUVs or Trucks that manufacturers are turning out. Just my 2 cents here, but GM needs to step back from fully E.V’s. Fully Electric vehicles are going to fail “Minus Tesla.” We don’t have the electrical infrastructure for millions of E.V’s, it takes so many resources to mine for the necessary components to make the batteries, and don’t forget that battery production and battery waste are an environmental nightmare. Hydrogen electricity makes a lot more sense to me, with less evronmental impact and less stress on the electrical grid.
I,m a senior who has spent his life in the auto trade. I never under understood domestic car manufactures willingness to concede sedan car sales to foreign automakers. Simply manufacture a few quality models at an affordable price. I witnessed the poor quality that put the domestic manfacturers were they are.In my opinion there will be a market for ICE cars for years.Toyota has no plans to abandon the ICE car market.My fear the push to EV cars is political not practicle
this is very surprising news. i’m going to assume the 2025 gen will either be a big hit or a big miss. knowing gm, you can’t be too optimistic so i’m going to assume it will be a miss, that way when the next gen actually arrives i wont have my hopes up. but we’ll see
Firstly, great to hear that the Malibu is selling real well, and great to see some sedans still being an important sales item than those Shoe-box looking SUVs. I was waiting for this news, in China the Malibu is a top selling popular car, and one other that is the real seller in China is the Buick Regal. How about GM throw all new external panels with Buick style lines on this upcoming malibu and call it a Regal. Great idea HA !!!!! Use the Chevrolet body with entire refreshed Buick panels, seem Buick can not use the Opel Insignia anymore. That would make everyone happy, kill two birds with one body.
I have question about the Camaro name ,I know this is about the Malibu , But if the Camaro style and name is dropped after 2023 , NASCAR will need a replacement , Maybe the Malibu will take it place ,You never know what Chevy and NASCAR have in mind !
I would like to see Gm continue making cars. I di not want a SUV. It’s nothing but a glorified station wagon or minivan. They are hideous. I’ve had 3 Impals, loved them. Had to go Malibu because no more Impalas are made. I like it, but not as much as Impala. It’s loaded with all the goodies. Buick and Chevy need to keep cars. Suv is ugly and I wouldn’t be caught dead driving a pickup. As some of us age, it’s easier to get into a car. I don’t like trying to climb into an sun. All where drive cars would be great. I live in the snowmelt of the U.S.