Chevrolet Says Goodbye to the Malibu

Chevrolet has announced the end of an era with the discontinuation of the Malibu sedan. General Motors’ decision to retire the Malibu is part of its broader strategy to transition to a more electric vehicle (EV)-focused lineup. The Malibu, which has had a remarkable 27-year run since its resurrection in 1997, will cease production in November 2024.

According to a statement given to Car and Driver by Chevrolet, the change is part of a larger investment of $390 million at GM’s Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas. This investment will facilitate the retooling of the plant as GM prepares for the return of the Bolt EV.

The Malibu has been a mainstay in Chevrolet’s lineup, with over 10 million units sold across nine generations. Despite its popularity, Chevy has been shifting its focus towards crossovers and SUVs in recent years, aligning with industry trends.

GM’s decision to discontinue the Malibu comes amidst challenges in launching its new Ultium platform. The company has fallen short of its goal to sell 400,000 EVs between 2022 and the middle of 2024. In response, GM confirmed in February that it will reintroduce plug-in-hybrid vehicles in North America.

While the Malibu’s departure may come as a surprise to some, given its history of resilience, it’s not uncommon for automakers to retire models to make way for new innovations. While we may bid farewell to the Malibu for now, who’s to say it won’t make a comeback as an EV in the future? Only time will tell.