General Motors announced that it would cease production of the Chevrolet Malibu, the last affordable sedan in its U.S. lineup. The Malibu, a nameplate dating back to the 1960s, has struggled to compete in a market where American consumers increasingly favor SUVs and trucks over sedans. The decision to discontinue the Malibu reflects a larger trend in the auto industry, as G.M.’s Detroit rivals Ford and Stellantis have also phased out most of their car offerings in the United States.
While foreign automakers like Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai still sell sedans and compacts, these vehicles are not as popular as they once were in the American market. Last month, Subaru announced that it would cease production of its Legacy sedan. G.M. currently manufactures the Malibu at a plant in Kansas and plans to retool the facility to produce a new electric version of the Chevrolet Bolt and the Cadillac XT4 luxury SUV. The shift away from sedans to larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks is driven by consumer preferences and the higher profitability of these types of vehicles for automakers.
The Malibu has a long history, initially introduced in 1964 as an upscale family sedan. Over the years, G.M. added a sporty, muscle-car version called the Malibu SS. The model was discontinued in 1983 but was later reintroduced in 1997. Despite its long history, the Malibu has consistently trailed best-selling sedans like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord in terms of sales. G.M. has sold over 10 million Malibus since its inception, but recent sales have slumped, with deliveries dropping by 47 percent in the final quarter of 2023.
In addition to discontinuing the Malibu, G.M. announced that it would also stop production of the Chevrolet Camaro sports car in 2023. The company continues to manufacture the Chevrolet Corvette, while its Cadillac brand offers two gasoline-powered sedans and plans to introduce a high-end electric vehicle. Nearly all of G.M.’s current models for the U.S. market are now trucks or SUVs, reflecting the industry-wide shift away from sedans towards larger, more profitable vehicles.
Ford and Stellantis have also significantly reduced their sedan offerings in favor of trucks and SUVs. Only the Ford Mustang remains as a car in Ford’s U.S. lineup, while Stellantis focuses primarily on trucks, SUVs, and minivans. However, Stellantis has announced plans to introduce an electric version of its Dodge Challenger muscle car in 2025. The discontinuation of the Malibu does not necessarily mean the end of the model, as automakers often revive old model names, potentially reintroducing the Malibu as an electric vehicle or in a different form in the future.
