Time to say goodbye to a classic on our roads. General Motors has confirmed that the Chevy Malibu will no longer be manufactured. For decades, it has been the perfect companion for millions of American families who chose it as their workhorse. It has been present in the country’s growth and in the lives of many children who are now adults. A space that will be very hard to fill. But the saddest part is not that we have to say goodbye to the Chevy Malibu, but that this farewell will also affect 2,000 workers at the assembly plant in Fairfax, Kansas.
It’s all happening because of the need to move forward, and although the Malibu is one of Chevrolet’s top-selling models (and has been for decades), the company has decided to focus its efforts on the emerging market: electric vehicles (EVs), such as the new Chevrolet Bolt, with the Corvette remaining the only traditional passenger car in the brand, along with electric SUVs and trucks.
The end of a classic
The Chevy Malibu will stop being produced in November 2025, and by then, the Fairfax (Kansas) plant where it is currently assembled is expected to be reconfigured to manufacture a new generation of electric vehicles.
This will involve the dismissal of 1,695 workers, who have been notified through an official restructuring alert. Although some employees could be relocated, many will lose their jobs in a context of deep change in the industry, and of course, this is not a pleasant situation for anyone since thousands of families depend on this job.
Change of era
The Chevy Malibu was born in the 60s and quickly became a key model in Chevrolet’s lineup. Over the years, it has gone through multiple redesigns and has sold millions of units, being practically part of the American landscape, or at least part of the collective memory of the roads. It’s almost a national emblem that has accompanied millions of families throughout these long sixty years where it has ruled the highways.
But the reality now is different: sedan sales have plummeted, and the American public is increasingly leaning toward SUVs or more modern trucks with updated designs. So, General Motors has been forced to adapt to the market and its new habits, becoming part of the generational shift we are seeing with the electrification of vehicles.
Camaro falls too
The Malibu is not the only model in danger of extinction because GM has also announced that the Chevrolet Camaro will be discontinued, confirming a complete shift of the company toward EVs and SUVs, which is what’s booming in the current market.
And even though it hurts to say it, big decisions are always difficult, and the shift General Motors is preparing necessarily means saying goodbye to the iconic “oldies” to make way for new generations that will take their place on the roads.
What will happen at the Fairfax plant
The Fairfax factory will soon be dedicated to producing the new generation Chevrolet Bolt EV, so they will have to completely adapt the facilities to meet the requirements for assembling these vehicles.
With the closure of this plant, nearly two thousand workers are also being dismissed, and it is still unclear what will happen to them, although many believe they will be trained to be part of the Bolt EV production and eventually be brought back to work.
What’s left now for Chevrolet?
With the departure of the Malibu and Camaro, Chevrolet’s lineup will focus almost entirely on SUVs, trucks, and sports cars like the Corvette.
The American landscape has changed and it’s adapt or die. General Motors has chosen the first option: changing its course in the industry even if that means saying goodbye to our great classics. Farewell, Chevy.