The Future of the Chevy Malibu and What Lies Ahead
The writing has been on the wall for the current generation of the once-iconic Chevy Malibu midsize sedan, which will officially end production at the end of the 2024 model year. This follows years of scaled-back sales and production.
GM claims it has moved over 10 million units of the storied nameplate since its introduction way back in 1964, and it is the last sedan available from Chevy, at least for now, as it shifts focus to gas, hybrid, and electric SUVs and trucks. It is also the second-to-last car model, with the Corvette being the sole survivor now since the Camaro ceased production last year. However, what will replace the Malibu at its Kansas assembly plant where the sedan is built? Something people seem to be excited for, at least.
Changes at the Fairfax Assembly Plant
GM announced that its Fairfax Assembly plant, which also builds the current Cadillac XT4 SUV, will cease production of the Malibu sedan in November of 2024. Moreover, production of the Cadillac XT4 will pause after January 2025, with the XT4 expected to resume production later next year. Consequently, workers will be laid off under UAW terms for the duration of the factory pause, which will be retooled for future models under a fresh $390 million investment into the plant. Production is expected to resume for two models on the same assembly line in late 2025.
Malibu Sales and Future Models
Last year, GM still managed to move 130,000 Malibus globally, which is no small amount. However, it still does not match the volume that Honda or Toyota enjoy with their sedans. The future model that will replace the Malibu production line in Kansas will be the next-gen Chevy Bolt EV, which GM previously announced is coming in 2025 or 2026. GM ended production of the previous Bolt models in December 2023.
What to Expect from the Next-Gen Bolt
The next-gen Bolt is expected to likely be a compact SUV or perhaps a crossover hatchback, rather than a direct successor all-electric sedan to the Malibu that many might hope to see. It will be based on GM’s Ultium platform of electric motors and batteries and should be the most affordable electric model and one of the most affordable new vehicles in Chevy’s future lineup.
