Chevy Malibu Production Halted After November

Chevrolet has announced that it will stop the production of its Malibu sedan after November. General Motors will also pause production, but not completely end, the Cadillac XT4 luxury SUV, which is built on the same platform in the same Kansas City factory.

The move has sparked debate among media outlets on the reasons behind it. While some argue that the transition to a more EV-focused lineup is the driving force, others point out that Americans have shifted towards roomier SUVs and pickup trucks, which are more profitable for automakers. Both reasons could be true, as General Motors plans to retool the plant currently producing the Malibu to build the next version of the Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle (EV).

As GM envisions a mostly electric future for itself in the 2030s, the shift away from sedans towards SUVs and pickups continues to shape the automotive industry. With the Malibu being the last Chevrolet sedan, the traditional Detroit sedan is facing an uncertain future, with Ford exiting the sedan business in 2020 and Chrysler also discontinuing its 300 sedan.

However, with automakers like Dodge introducing 2-door replacements and Cadillac offering the CT4 and CT5 as the last gas-powered 4-door cars from the Detroit Three, the decline of sedans may not be the end. EVs, built on versatile skateboard platforms, like the Celestiq from Cadillac, suggest that an electric Malibu revival could be a logical step to compete with the likes of the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6.

The Malibu will continue to be available on dealer lots until the last models are sold, likely in early 2025. With the confirmed discontinuation, there could be buying opportunities as dealers may be willing to negotiate lower prices to make room for new inventory. Kelley Blue Book expert Russ Heaps highlights the Malibu’s reliability, passenger comfort, and trunk space as reasons to consider purchasing one before they are no longer available.