The Chevrolet Malibu, the last midsize car made by a Detroit automaker, is being discontinued by General Motors as the company shifts its focus towards electric vehicles. Introduced in 1964, the Malibu was once a popular choice among American families, but its sales began to decline in the early 2000s with the rise of SUVs and pickup trucks. Last year, midsize cars accounted for only 8% of U.S. new vehicle sales, a significant drop from the 22% market share they held in 2007. Despite this decline, Americans still purchased 1.3 million midsize cars in 2021, with the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord leading the segment.
General Motors sold just over 130,000 Malibus in 2021, a decrease of 8.5% from the previous year. Following a redesign in 2016, sales of the Malibu rose to nearly 230,000, but many of these were at low profits to rental car companies. Despite this, the midsize car segment experienced a slight resurgence in sales last year, with a nearly 5% increase. The Malibu has seen nine generations since its debut, with over 10 million units sold by GM over the years.
GM’s factory in Kansas City, Kansas, which currently produces the Malibu and the Cadillac XT4 small SUV, will cease production of the Malibu in November and the XT4 in January. The plant will undergo a $390 million retooling to manufacture a new version of the Chevrolet Bolt small electric car. By late 2025, the plant will be able to produce the Bolt and XT4 on the same assembly line, providing flexibility to respond to customer demands. The decision to discontinue the Malibu was reported by The Wall Street Journal.
The U.S. auto market is now dominated by SUVs and trucks, with full-size pickups from Ford, Chevrolet, and Ram being the top-selling vehicles in America. The top-selling non-pickup is Toyota’s RAV4 small SUV. As consumer preferences have shifted towards larger vehicles, the demand for midsize cars like the Malibu has declined. Despite this, the Malibu has had a lasting legacy in the automotive industry, with a history spanning over five decades.
Overall, the discontinuation of the Chevrolet Malibu marks the end of an era for midsize cars made by Detroit automakers. As General Motors pivots towards electric vehicles and responds to changing market trends, the Malibu will be phased out in favor of more profitable and sustainable models. While the Malibu may no longer be in production, it will be remembered as a classic American sedan that once held a significant place in family garages across the country.
