The Chevrolet Malibu first made its debut over six decades ago and has seen nine generations of production. Introduced initially as part of the Chevelle lineup, the Malibu became a standalone model in 1978. After a hiatus between 1983 and 1996, GM revived the model in 1997 as a front-wheel-drive vehicle. Its discontinuation marks a significant shift from traditional internal combustion engines to more sustainable automotive technologies.
A Chevy spokesperson confirmed plans for retooling the Fairfax plant following the end of Malibu's production. The facility is set for a $390 million investment to facilitate the manufacturing of the second-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV on a new Ultium platform and Cadillac XT4.
2024 Chevrolet Malibu
Kevin Kelly from Chevrolet highlighted this strategic modification saying, “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.”
The transition reflects wider auto industry trends that favor SUVs and electric vehicles over sedans like the Malibu. With declining sedan sales due to rising SUV popularity, manufacturers like GM are adapting to ensure they meet modern consumer demands efficiently.
Source: Carscoops
