Goodbyes are never easy, and when it comes to a car that has marked so many generations, even less so. One of the most emblematic models of General Motors, the Chevrolet Malibu, is on the finish line. It has been 60 years of pure magic through the Malibu, the best-selling vehicle in the sedan sector in the United States, practically, each one of us has a story or an anecdote in one of these.
But, the world turns, grows and evolves, and we have to say goodbye to some models to say hello to the future, and that is why, after 25 years of decline of this vehicle (coinciding with the popularization of SUVs) they have come to an end.
Goodbye to a classic
That’s right, these vehicles that called attention for their elegance and comfort say goodbye. SUVs and pickup trucks have taken over the market little by little, relegating the poor Malibu to automotive oblivion… But, is it the end of an era? Or is it a beginning for the brand?
Why is it discontinued?
The automotive landscape has changed a lot in the last 60 years, and what was once modern and innovative has perhaps now fallen a little behind. Midsize cars (and sedans) like the Malibu only accounted for 8% of national sales, but if we go back a few years, it was at 22%…
But, General Motors is not satisfied with the numbers, last year it sold just over 130,000 Malibu (8.5% less than in 2022), and this after having redesigned the model in 2016, however, it does not seem to be enough for the automotive giant.
With the data in hand, General Motors confirmed that they will stop producing what was once the most viral car in the United States, a good representative of the American identity, it will be this and the Cadillac XT4 who say goodbye to the Kansas City manufacturing plants.
So, if you always dreamed of having a Malibu… Run now because this historic car will kick the bucket soon and its engines will stop roaring forever.
Forever?
Let’s be honest, nobody was paying attention to this beater anymore, and General Motors, let’s be honest, has a much better plan for its Kansas plant, does electrification sound familiar to us?
Well, Kansas City is going to become the headquarters where the magic for the Bolt XT4 is produced.
And even if 130,000 units of this Chevy were sold, the future ahead is still promising, so it is best that this grandpa gives way to new generations of electric vehicles, just like life itself. But the market is what it is, and so is the system, so General Motors wants to be at the forefront of the next industrial revolution (which everything seems to be through the electrification of vehicles) and not miss out on anything.
Which models will take its place?
GM has not (yet) announced a direct replacement for the Chevrolet Malibu, but as we’ve been saying, new EVs are expected to take its place on the production line. Models like the Chevrolet Bolt EUV and Cadillac Lyriq are setting the tone for the company’s future, leaving Tesla and Cadillac as the only sedan makers in the US (after Chrysler also announced it had to say goodbye to the Chrysler 300).
Although it may be a shame that the Malibu has been with us all our lives, the future cannot be stopped and companies want to put all their efforts into a more sustainable future.
No one will ever forget this car, which is practically a living part of American identity, but it’s time to say goodbye to make way for the brands of the future. See you around forever, Chevy!