After a 60-year legacy, Chevrolet has announced the discontinuation of the Malibu sedan, marking the end of an era for the iconic model. The move reflects the evolving priorities of the auto industry, with manufacturers like General Motors (GM) increasingly emphasizing SUVs and electric vehicles (EVs) over traditional sedans.
Production of the Chevrolet Malibu will continue until November 4th at GM’s Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, alongside the Cadillac XT4. Following this, production will be halted to retool the factory for future vehicles, confirmed a Chevrolet spokesperson to Carscoops.
“When production resumes in late 2025, Fairfax will produce both the Bolt EV and XT4 on the same assembly line, which gives GM flexibility to respond to changes in customer demand,” stated Chevrolet’s Kevin Kelly.
GM has invested $390 million in the Fairfax Assembly Plant, enabling it to manufacture the second-generation Chevrolet Bolt. Unlike its predecessor, the new EV will be based on the Ultium platform and touted as “one of the most affordable all-electric vehicles” on the market.
During the production pause, GM will lay off workers, providing support as per the UAW-GM collective agreement. This decision aligns with the company’s strategy to focus on electric and SUV models, which have gained significant traction in the market.
The Chevrolet Malibu, which originated in 1964 as a subseries of the Chevelle, transitioned into a standalone model in 1978. Despite a brief discontinuation in 1983, the Malibu returned in 1997 and has since seen eight more generations. However, the current market trend favoring SUVs has led to the demise of the sedan.
Kevin Kelly emphasized, “The Malibu has been a stalwart offering for nine generations and several decades. However, as consumer choice continues to shift towards compact SUVs, now the largest segment in the US, Malibu customers will find a home in other vehicles in our lineup, with multiple options in terms of size, price and propulsion available to them.”
