It’s a line that drove a generation, and now it is turning off the engine one final time. On Wednesday, General Motors announced that it is ending production of the Chevrolet Malibu later this year. The move is part of GM’s goal of focusing on electric vehicles, or EVs, over the gasoline-powered sedan.
The Chevy Malibu first entered production in 1964. The mid-sized vehicle was a top-line subseries of the mid-sized Chevrolet Chevelle. From there, drivers could choose from different layouts, especially regarding doors and roof styles. With its more luxurious interiors compared to the Chevelle 300 and 300 Deluxe models, the Malibu has often been touted as the last affordable sedan.
GM is officially ending production of the Chevy Malibu six decades after its debut
Production of the Chevy Malibu completely ends officially in November, the company revealed this week. The start of this year saw Malibu sales down 12.5%, but in 2023, they were up 13% to 130,000. GM also plans on producing EVs exclusively by 2035.
RELATED: Ford’s New Custom Electric Pickup Truck Is Causing All Sorts Of Nostalgia
This week, GM also said it was pausing production of the Cadillac XT4 in Kansas after January 2025. Production is expected to resume later in the year for both the XT4 and the Bolt EV on the same assembly line, according to Reuters.
Shifting business strategies to focus more fully on EVs sees GM drop the Malibu
Since its the Malbu’s premiere 60 years ago, GM has sold over 10 million units. 10 years ago, GM could expect to sell 200,000 Malibus a year. However, in 2023, sales dropped to 130,000 units. While foreign automakers like Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai sell six-figures worth of sedans, even their sales have been lesser than they were in decades past.
Just as American drivers have been shifting away from sedans, GM is moving away from gasoline-powered cars and focusing on EVs. GM is investing $390 million into its Kansas-based assembly plant to build the next generation of the Chevrolet Bolt EVs, after ceasing production of the last generation back in December.
The Detroit-based car manufacturer is also focusing on sports utility vehicles and crossovers. In recent months, it has oscillated between supporting, abandoning, and supporting again a plug-in hybrid car. CEO Mary Barra outlined plans for the manufacturer, noting, “Our forward plans include bringing our plug-in hybrid technology to select vehicles in North America,” but also insisted, “Let me be clear, GM remains committed to eliminating tailpipe emissions from our light-duty vehicles by 2035.”
Did you own a Chevy Malibu?
