As GM Authority covered earlier this week, GM has confirmed that production of the Chevy Malibu is scheduled to end this fall at the GM Fairfax Assembly plant, making way for production of the next-generation Chevy Bolt EV. With that confirmation, a question is raised – what will become of the Chevy Malibu nameplate? After all, the Malibu was one of the best-selling GM vehicles in the U.S. during 2023 (behind the Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, and Chevy Equinox). While a next-gen Malibu is expected for the 2026 or 2027 model year, there are really only four ways this could potentially pan out, and as such, we want to know – which path would you take?
Heavy Refresh
This option involves reskinning the Malibu on an improved version of its current platform, as was done with the Chevy Colorado and Chevy Traverse. The refreshed Malibu would include up-to-date Chevy design elements and a new interior featuring a two-screen dashboard setup and better materials. This strategy offers a practical approach, providing evolutionary updates without a major overhaul (not to mention the financial burden associated with a full overhaul).
EV Conversion
Converting the Malibu into an electric vehicle on the BEV3 platform using GM Ultium technology could be the right choice for GM as it aims for a full EV lineup by 2035. GM could use the Chevy FNR-XE Concept as inspiration for the design while adopting the Equinox EV’s powertrain for motivation, providing a distinctive option to compete in the rapidly growing EV market.
Complete Redesign
The third possibility is a radical transformation into a new rear-wheel-drive model, perhaps on the GM Alpha platform, echoing a four-door Chevy Camaro. This approach would align with rivaling vehicles like the Dodge Charger, giving GM a new player in the performance sedan space (albeit not as performance-oriented as the Camaro). However, whether the Malibu name suits this aggressive positioning is another question (perhaps Impala or Chevelle would be a better fit).
Nothing
The final option is to discontinue the Malibu nameplate entirely, acknowledging that sedans are no longer the must-have vehicles they once were. GM could then concentrate its efforts elsewhere.
What do you think GM should do with the Chevy Malibu? Should it be revived, reimagined, or retired? Cast your vote and share your thoughts, and don’t forget to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Malibu news, Chevy news, GM business news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
I voted for “heavy refresh”. The Asian players in the segment have done the same for years, and have had success at it. There is still some life left in the midsize sedan market as seen by Malibu’s recent sales resurgence, but maybe not “enough” to warrant a balls-out RWD Alpha version. Although, a Chevelle two- and four-door could be a whole different animal… if the new Charger shows strength, it might need a suitable reply.
It’s Time for an EV Muscle Car…
Cancelling it, certainly NOT. As an owner of an Opel Ampera/Chevy Volt and a 1979 Chevy Malibu, there’s no way I will buy trash like the Bolt or any SUV or crossover. If GM cancels it, I will buy german, italian, sweedish, asian, Tesla or whatever offers me a sedan. Not everybody likes SUV’s or crossovers or is willing to buy one no matter what.
Bolt “trash”? Seriously?
They need a fresh new look.I agree not everyone wants a crossover ,suv or truck.I also think it should be made in both gas and electric options.
Heavy refresh the Malibu, and clean sheet a new Impala.
Killed the Camaro… Killed the Malibu…. I guess NASCAR will need to let SUV’s into racing.
Wait, there’s still NASCAR?
I nice refresh then a reasonable redesign ! Gm still needs to make an affordable sedan for people who still like ICE cars ! If not they will just go to other brands ! It would be a mistake not to ! At least for the time being !
Why does Chevrolet even need to be in NASCAR? The only thing genuine Chevy in NASCAR is the engine. All the cars are basically the same under the skin except for their motors. The old adage of “Race on Sundays, Sell on Mondays” no longer applies in the 21st Century.
I want a sedan. As far as I can see for American sedans I have three choices CT4 doesn’t do much for me and is poorly rated, CT5 same as the CT4, and the Malibu dated to say the least. Honestly, I’m looking at a K5. The American manufacturers got waaay out over their skis on all this EV bs that they don’t know what some folks want. It is pitiful.
Chevelle EV!
Unless GM has another Chevy car around the corner, they need the Malibu for their next “stock car” (I doubt that Cadillac will go in, because I think their racing teams are to attract a more sophisticated consumer).
There is way too much money to be made by Chevy in NASCAR for them to just walk away.
Our three first generation Cruzes were fun, fast, affordable and right sized. We are shopping for a Malibu now and pray that GM has the common sense to stay in business and keep offering Malibu.
You can at least get one of the last ones.
Mary, Mary quite contrary is waiting for NASCAR to go full EV.. LOL. She’s in over her head and has been from Day One.
That’ll be funny. Nascar taxes will be a couple of days long as the drivers have to wait to have their EVs charge, and every crash will be a hazmat event
Well looks like Chevy and GM just does not want to sell CARS any more no Pontic no Oldsmobile and now KILLING. Chevy GREAT JOB MARY just keep making foreign cars #1 oh I forgot no Camaros …. WHAT ARE WE THINKING .. people need a 4 door car and forget the Electric garbage ‼️‼️‼️‼️
I voted EV Knowing that to do so it would get a complete redesign
GM needs to get smart and make a Hybrid like everyone else in the auto industry. EV’s are a lost cause until some newer battery technology is invented! Use that new skin in a hybrid model and I bet that would be a winner!
I say complete redesign based on the FNR-XE concept with PHEV/EV and standard hybrid models. GM must not yield the mid size sedan market!
I voted for a complete resign and include an all wheel drive version. Make the 2.0 litre engine available again. Actually, take the existing exterior design, redo the interior, add an all wheel drive version and reintroduce the 2.0 litre engine.
wow.
i think at this time an updated malibu is needed since it is still a top seller even as it is so outdated, the oldest by far of all sedan on US market.it could still be a top seller ,then let impala be the larger new EV
PLEASE MAKE REAL AUTOMOBILES AGAIN AND MAKE GM #1 AGAIN … The people designing cars now where not around when GM made REAL CARS so they don’t know how it was …AND IT WAS GOOD
GM has Buick sedans in China and I believe some are plug in hybrids. Bring one of them here, preferably FWD and AWD and slap a Chevy badge on it!
They’d never do it, but I suggest a multi-model redo:
1) Bring back the Chevelle name, slightly larger than the current ‘bu. Pull a Dodge and have EV and hybrid 4cyl in 4dr, offer a performance 2dr (turbo 6 + hybrid?). If those sell, maybe the Camino could be built from it too.
2) Redo the current Blazer (and EV) and rename to Nomad (modernized styling, but more Nomad-looks). The nomad was always an asphalt angel, so it is not harmed by no offroad creds (like this Blazer is)
3) Cut the Tahoe down to 2 drs, called Blazer. Make it also have a hybrid, but a full-zoot ZR2 version as well
You are right, they won’t because those won’t sell. There is a reason they don’t listen to a small handful or people who think they know better and are enthusiasts, but they won’t buy them.
We need a manual diesel wagon too!
Apparently most people missed the sarcasm in your “manual diesel wagon” post, love it!
Good point, TMI and I enjoyed the replies to your comment. Brand loyalty is a thing of the past, People nowadays are more pragmatic and will switch brands and dealerships to find the best product matching their needs or ego.
Hahaha!
And Barra and company know better?
Malibu was a practical car purchased by practical folks. I don’t think they are customers for EV’s.
The Japanese have been very successful in sticking with model identities, simple lineups, quality focused.
It is efficient to have a limited number of models. It gets confusing with Trax and Tracker, Blazer and Trailblazer, etc.
Having said that, the younger generation does not necessarily want all SUVs/Crossovers. Chevy should not cede the automobile market entirely. It can be a mid size platform that can work for a larger vehicle later if the sedan makes a comeback. But you have to have a solid, attractive offering that people want to buy.
Toyota has a ton of models. So does Honda and Nissan.
Toyota and Honda have great management, GM’s management is getting worse by the day. I do hope Acura brings back the RLX.
Hands down a refreshed model with a new nicer interior and upgraded ICE drivetrain with a hybrid option just as Toyota, Honda, Hyundai and Kia are doing. Anything else is a waste of time especially killing this model off which I’m sure Ms Barra is going to do in favor of higher profit returning trucks and SUV’s for her triple zero nonsense.
Complete refresh with a hybrid would be great!
The current FWD model is kind of a loner, it doesn’t have any platform mates. I could see a redesign of the current car and ideally a Buick variant to share the costs, though the Grand River plant is way under utilized, especially now that the Camaro is gone. It would make sense to add another car to that plant, especially if we want to see the CT4 and 5 continue to exist.
Though switching the Malibu to the Alpha platform would most likely make it more expensive and the RWD could be a turn off to some buyers.
The XT4 and Envision are on the same platform I presume.
You are correct.
Make the next Malibu an EV sedan. GM needs sedans in their EV lineup. Not everyone wants an SUV.
Exactly, at this point I’d focus on getting a EV version out before the Asians. What should have happened was contracting Honda to build the next Gen Malibu on the Accords platform so they could have started converting the plant a while ago and then GM could have had a newer product on the market already.
So like the 88% of the population that doesn’t want an EV, they can just go buy a Toyota?
I don’t care which one, as long as they don’t kill it off or turn it into yet another CUV!!!!
Since I like and believe that EV is the future, I voted for EV version. But any of the top three choices would be good to me. But for gawd sake, promote the dang thing. Advertise it. Push it out there and give it’s sales a boost.
Killed the Camaro… Killed the Malibu…. I guess NASCAR will need to let SUV’s into racing.
You all need to twist your head back on. Keep the engine in the car and learn how to drive to save on gas prices.
The Malibu IS dead, unfortunately! Production of it will cease in November. It is confirmed and I was surprised when I heard of this news yesterday. What a mistake, GM! Sad. The company gave up. Ms. Barra: What have you done? Wow!!! ♐
Do the heavy refresh. Do NOT have an EV version. Do NOT make it RWD.The Malibu competes today as well as any other
mid-size sedan.
Yes, you are correct. A little more engine, like maybe the 252 HP from the ’18 Equinox, and the Malibu is a decent family car for the people who want a car somewhat below the BMW price range. Maybe a hybrid would make a good upgrade for the car in a couple years.
RWD. LS. 2 Door. Enough said!!
They would sell like hot cakes. Guaranteed!!!
You are dead right but I’d go even further. RWD, Coupe, Convertible, Sedan, and Wagon all on the Alpha II chassis. Several engine options including non turbo V6 and of course several V8’s available. Car guys and gals would be lining up to get one.
Chevrolet is shooting themselves in the foot! Every manufacturer needs a mid price midsize CAR not everyone wants a suv or an EV for sure, hybrid is fine gas is great and they need a car for people that are 16-99 it fits all walks of life I have sold them for years and its a go to unit no matter of age gender or race!
The more that GM tries to go to an EV vehicle the further GM is pushing away its prior customers. I was looking to update our vehicle ( 2017 Impala) with the 2.5 4 cyl what I found from GM were either 1.5 turbo engines or EV’s. I drive to Florida from Toronto and eliminates the EV. I have no trust in GM putting a reliable mini engine with a turbo that will last 150,000 miles or more without engine/turbo issues. Guess what I am going to closely at the Toyota family for an option, Camry hybrid.
You can always go look at Cadillacs, they have bigger motors, still turbo though…..
The first generation Chevrolet Cruze sold like hotcakes (and still do in the used car market) because it great product, affordable, and appealed to drivers of ages. Then the second generation Cruze came along and threw out the baby with the bathwater. Fugly as all get out and total also-ran in its’ class. When you’ve got a hit as GM did in the first generation Cruze, you don’t fix what ain’t broken. GM today has none of common sense that the 20th Century GM did starting with Alfred Sloan.
You should have shopped for a Toyota Camry in 2017. You got wiser over the years since you are looking now at Toyota’s offerings.
I agree, why leave the average person’s sedan portion of the market? Just make it better by electrifying it. Minimal maintenance and lower operating costs particularly when charged at home. More fun to drive and the car should last way longer. The Tesla Model 3 owns this segment. GM has the capabilities to build an Ultium based sedan to be a solid competitor in this market segment.
Two things that don’t last longer on an EV are tires and batteries.
Update, ICE only, not RWD.
Keep the Malibu! For people like me that don’t want an SUV, the choices for a sedan are becoming too limited.
They’re not SUV’s, they’re station wagons. They call them SUV’s so women will buy them. Give us a proper sedan!
Yes, they are tall station wagons.
There is no answer. Mary should drive the last Malibu off a cliff.
Redesign the Malibu to the current size or a little smaller. Offer three engines: a four cylinder, a hybrid, and a six cylinder. This allows the Malibu to compete with the Camry and Accord.
Use the FNR-XE Concept with ICE/Hybrid drive…With real transmission…no CVT.
I see lots of young people in Camry’s and Accords, with their bold styling, but they just don’t have “The Look”. Build a Malibu with an irresistible look and they will sell. I’ll buy one if it has more than 3 cylinders.
keep the malibu and heavy refresh and bring back impala
GM need an electric sedan that is cheaper than a Buick. The Malibu can be that needed electric sedan. Gas engines are vestigial ideas of the past century. Edison was right over a century ago, and Ford’s wife Claire agreed to electrics, especially as a woman’s car.
Every time I vote on a comment the counter resets to zero. What is up with that?
The total just becomes invisible to those of us who vote.
I am signed into my account, but I have gotten 3 error messages trying to cast my vote. I would have voted for the heavy refresh, btw.
In my opinion, Chevrolet needs to have at least one sedan in its portfolio. The malibu is not a bad choice but it needs to be brought up-to-date. So do a Heavy refresh, MAKE IT LOOK COOL and install a good hybrid system, with an available performance upgrade or SS package.
Keep the Malibu, get rid of Mary Barra.
Kill it like Impala, Spark, Sonic, et al, copy Dodge’s new Charger strategy, call it a Chevelle, make an LT, RS, and SS with gas or EV options. PLEASE!
Complete redesign with a retro flavor. Use the Alpha or Alpha ll platform with a 2 door and 4 door variant and an homage to the mid-70’s Chevelle/Malibu/Laguna S3. Not body doubles, but a few nice styling cues to let you know the lineage. Offering 400+ horsepower and a manual transmission would be awesome. A 4 door EV variant could round out the portfolio.
Key thing in the whole Malibu deal, like the Impala .. . NO platform mates any more.
I voted for “Heavy Refresh” as GM obviously does not want to spend money on anything it has let languish into oblivion. They wanted the car to die and put it into hospice.
GM’s been trying to become a “tech company” and the new EVs are a way to do that, to them. As prices escalate out of the range of their traditional Chevrolet buyers. I guess they want people to buy $80K Silverados? They need a $20K MSRP car again! Every time GM has vacated a market segment, the import brands (many built in the USA) scoop right in and dominate that market easily. Nissan and Mitsu have done it before and will do it again. Same with Toyota. And GM wonders why their corporate market share continues to dwindle??? GM was down to 17% by the time John Smale retired from their BOD. After HE got them down that far, but at that level, they were making money, they claimed.
Most of GM’s marketing mistakes are self-inflicted!!! Not investing in “marginal” products sounds like a good deal, until you realize your total market share is much below the 60% it was 60 years ago. They have not learned from past mistakes!! If they don’t admit to them, I guess they can’t learn from them?
Many perceive Alfred Sloan’s orientation of “A car for every purse” does not work anymore. BUT it still works for Toyota!
At this point, might as well hyrbid.
I love our Malibu. It’s way more comfortable than those lifted up station wagons. And it’s a beautiful design, even after 7 or 8 years, it’s still sexy. I hate to see it go away, but GM screwed with it too much. Removing features in later years and going with that god awful CVT transmission. Such a shame they never marketed that car.
Make it a hybrid and keep it. General Motors has too many Cadillac models and not enough low-end Chevs
Redesign,I like the looks of the concept car,and please bring back the 2.0
I voted for a heavy refresh. Beef it up like the last gen. Impala!
Refresh it and actually market it. I’ve never seen a commercial or advertising for the Malibu, Impala or Camaro. And they wonder why it lagged in sales.
There is still a strong market for sedans. Why abandoned a market more likely would not move up to the SUV segment’s?
I see an awful lot of Toyota and Hyundai sedans.
Remodel/new model it as a 2 door or 4 door coupe. Supercharged v6, or I4 hybrid. Market it as a Chevelle, that worked well for years.
I would like GM Authority to confirm that Chevy said that the Malibu will be Discontinued Or just stopped tell 2026 or 2027 like they are reporting cause no other publication is saying that. Is there a chance or not cause if they decided to Discontinue it then we are wasting are time talking about this. I went Throw this with Monte Carlo they never brought it back. “GET A QUOTE FROM GM ON IT”
No more Camaro. No more Malibu. A great time to bring back Chevelle..with a SS Option!
they should bring back the impala as an EV make it a budget version of the CELESTIQ
All I can say is I hope someone at GM reads these comments. A lot of people are invested in the Malibu and I don’t think GM realizes this.
I voted Complete Redesign. Malibu needs new technology and platform to inject new life into it.
Heavy Refresh
Old news here they are dumping the Malibu the last Chevy sedan made here in the USA! Shameful display and have given up on sedans. Not everyone can afford SUV’s! I have owned several Malibu’s and it is an affordable car but GM doesn’t make enough money on it!
You ask for input on what to do with the Malibu today and NBC News reported tonight that GM/Chevrolet discontinued the the Malibu. Wow. It is a shame there are no cars available anymore. There has been no marketing for cars for years. It is no wonder they died off when regular people don’t know they exist. The same thing happened to the Impala. I”m driving my third Impala (2007, 2017, 2019) I get 29 mph on the highway on trips. It is comfortable and nice to drive. My wife is handicapped and cannot climb into an SUV. Guess the 2019 Impala better last or else it’s back to a Honda Accord Hybrid. I was hoping for a hybrid car from GM with a good sized trunk and comfortable interior. A Cadillac would likely suit our comfort and access requirements, but the trunk is too small for the electric mobility scooter we must carry. I never thought I would see the day where cars are a thing of the past.
GM: You need to stop this total nonsense over many years – Oldsmobile, Pontiac & H3 Hummer; and as a result, I am very sad to say that my next vehicle will be a Non GM unit as I currently own 5 GM units parked in my driveway.
Sincerely,
A very disappointed individual – I’m just a drop in the ocean, not even a bucket.
I will soon be purchasing another American Vehicle where parts are available for many more years than GM’s Parts network.
Ps: You should have listened more closely to Mr. Bob Lutz, a True Car Guy with many Talents in my opinion.
There you have it.
What ever they do, make it in the U.S.A, not Mexico, S.Korea, China ETC.
Completely redo it and make it fresh.
They should auction off the name, or license it for a royalty, to someone who knows how to build a brand, not milk a name.
First and Foremost they have to get rid of that UGLY CREASE in the doors. I don’t know what they were thinking or even why the doors are stamped with that UGLY crease. They did the same trick on the last of the Impalas, putting that UGLY CREASE in the back door of the last series of Impalas. Dumb and Stupid styling idea. Also, if the stylists believed that the UGLY CREASE was so important, Why didn’t they put that CREASE in the door of the Buicks?
Re-design it as a RWD sedan with a three model tier base-sports-luxury. Offer it with I.C.E and Hybrid Electric engines and in 4,6 and 8 cylinders. The size to be that of the Chevy SS of 2017 and offer it in LHD & RHD to open export to multiple countries like Australia. 😉 There is an Aussie in charge at GM Design who knows of such a vehicle.
Partner with Toyota and build a Malibu hybrid.
No need to partner with Toyota for that.
AWD hybrid just like Toyota and Honda have done.A good example is of the Toyota Crown. Great Horse Power And Torque
I have owned scores of American built automobiles and would have replaced my 2019 Impala with a Malibu if it had a better transmission. Since it was only offered with a CVT, I bought a new Sonata with an 8 speed automatic. Very sorry to have left American built.
Turn it into a PHEV using the Voltec transmission sitting on top of the Ultium battery platform. The single biggest problem with the Volt was it’s one-off battery design using the LFP batteries slated for the new Bolt. GM could fit two battery modules in the vehicle for close to 30 KWh of battery and still have space for a gas tank.
This poll is a total waste of time. GM hasn’t tried to make a competitive family sedan in over 20 years. They aren’t starting now.
Stop your crying and go buy a Cadillac CT4. But you won’t. So those will be killed off too.
It’s very SAD to see what GM is doing they where always in my eyes the best of cars and trucks and now it looks like they do not want to be #1 the BEST if you stop making different models every year then there is nothing left …. So I hate to see more and more Toyota and Hondas driving around but sadly that is what is going to happen also not giving people the option of v6 or 4 cyl in a lot of models…. I guess we will look at stuff really don’t want but if there is nothing to get have no choice….. please PLEASE PUT V6 back into Colorado and Canyons ‼️
Poll is broken. But definitely they need an EV sedan in their lineup.
I could see doing some an EV impala, or other old nameplate. Maybe a PHEV Malibu.
“Heavy refresh”
OR
“COMEPLETE REDESIGN” as Front Wheel Drive ICE and add PHEV variant
Well I say I have an option that’s not even listed. Bring back full size sedans Dodge had great success with the previous charger, if a New Malibu full size came with a hybrid power train people would probably love it and they can bring Caprice as well Impala I think Caprice sounds better the Caprice could be the higher end trim of the Malibu like they did in the old days. Or just use Impala/Caprice and let the Malibu name get a break also build hybrid and EV give people a choice that will help sales to and most of all make it look American not Asian or European please.
Just bought a Malibu. Love it. Refresh it