2024 Chevrolet Malibu Continues - Sales Have Bounced Back

[ice-capades]

2024 Chevrolet Malibu Continues Mostly Unchanged

Price Rises Just $100, Only on the Base Trim - And Sales Have Bounced Back

https://www.autoblog.com/2023/06/05/2024-chevrolet-malibu-continues-mostly-unchanged-and-thats-not-a-bad-thing/

 

 

The Chevrolet Malibu would like you to know it's still here, carrying the torch as the last Chevrolet sedan — one of only three sedans in GM's portfolio along with the Cadillac CT4 and CT5. And in fact, not only is the Malibu here, it's selling almost as well as it did in 2019 and 2020 after having a down year in 2021. Dealers sold just 39,376 Malibus in 2021, the car likely suffering from GM prioritizing more popular models during the unexpected post-Covid rebound. The inventory and the buyers returned in 2022 and took home 115,468 units. Through the first three months of this year, 37,438 Malibus found new homes. GM Authority has good news for sedan shoppers aching to do the same with a 2024 Malibu: The MSRP has gone up just $100, and only on the base LS trim; the RS, 1LT, and 2LT are unchanged.

 

The early intel lists these prices for the ninth year of the ninth-generation car, after the $1,095 destination charge:

• LS $26,195
• RS $27,095
• 1LT $29,195
• 2LT $32,595

 

Changes to equipment and options are just as subtle. Outside, Dark Ash Metallic and Riverside Blue Metallic depart the palette, while Lakeshore Blue Metallic joins. Mineral Gray Metallic, Mosaic Black Metallic, Sterling Gray Metallic, and Summit White will be the other four options for all trims, all of them at no cost. Getting Radiant Red Tintcoat requires stepping up to at least the RS trim and paying an additional $495.

 

The giving is that the 2024 Malibu LS gains body-colored mirrors as standard equipment. Currently, those can only be optioned at no cost when also ordering the $545 Driver Confidence Package. The taking away is that the LS won't come with a 16-inch compact spare and emergency tool kit. Instead, the stock fit will be a tire inflator kit, the donut tire and tools an option. The trims above the LS continue with the 16-inch spare as standard. 

 

There's no consensus about what's happening to the Malibu after 2024, if anything. GM Authority believes there will be a tenth-generation Malibu on a new platform for 2025. Automotive News predicts the Malibu dies in 2026, with nothing yet in the pipeline to replace it, at least not directly. 

Edited June 6, 2023 by ice-capades
Additional Content

[DeluxeStang]

I'll say it before and I'll say it again. I don't think the demand for sedans/hatchbacks is high enough in the U.S. to justify needing a focus/fiesta, Tarus and fusion. But the decision to get rid of every single sedan offering was short sighted. 

 

I think Ford should bring back at least one sedan. Purely for the fact that cars are an emotionally driven purchase, and there are a considerable amount of buyers who just prefer the looks and driving dynamics of sedans. Fewer young people are getting married and having kids as well, so the need for a utility vehicle isn't there for many. 

 

Everything that's old becomes new again, everything. Generally that shift comes when people grow up, and want something different than what their parents had. People have been growing up with SUVs for about 20 years, and are ready for a change in body style and product. 

[silvrsvt]

17 minutes ago, DeluxeStang said:

Everything that's old becomes new again, everything. Generally that shift comes when people grow up, and want something different than what their parents had. People have been growing up with SUVs for about 20 years, and are ready for a change in body style and product. 

 

The issue is that buying cars is completely different then it was almost 50 years ago...up until the 1990s or so, People bought a new car every 5 years or so. Then add in the price of a new vehicle being astronomical and the supply being lower (far less overbuilding of product vs 20-30 years ago) to drive down the used car market price, people are far more willing to buy a swiss army knife of vehicle vs being stuck with a sedan or coupe for 12 years plus (average age of a used car these days) so they'll far more likely to buy a more flexible truck or SUV. Then add in younger people not being as interested in cars and when they actually need one, most people will be "practical" and go with something that will give them flexibility. 

 

The used car market is still nuts-my nephew bought a 2018 Mazda 3 (entry level car) and paid like $14K or something for it. Then put it into a pole after having his license 2 weeks...

[akirby]

3 hours ago, DeluxeStang said:

I'll say it before and I'll say it again. I don't think the demand for sedans/hatchbacks is high enough in the U.S. to justify needing a focus/fiesta, Tarus and fusion. But the decision to get rid of every single sedan offering was short sighted. 

 

I think Ford should bring back at least one sedan. Purely for the fact that cars are an emotionally driven purchase, and there are a considerable amount of buyers who just prefer the looks and driving dynamics of sedans. Fewer young people are getting married and having kids as well, so the need for a utility vehicle isn't there for many. 

 

Everything that's old becomes new again, everything. Generally that shift comes when people grow up, and want something different than what their parents had. People have been growing up with SUVs for about 20 years, and are ready for a change in body style and product. 

If you look at sales and profit levels of the vehicles that replaced sedan production it’s not only not short sighted it was a very smart business decision.

 

Family sedans don’t have emotion - they’re commodities,  if you want to see emotional buyers look at Bronco, Bronco Sport and Maverick. 
 

Lots of younger folks without kids are buying wagons, utilities and trucks to support their active lifestyle.

 

I get that you like cars but there is simply no way to rationalize cars over other vehicles right now from a business standpoint.  

[rmc523]

2 hours ago, akirby said:

If you look at sales and profit levels of the vehicles that replaced sedan production it’s not only not short sighted it was a very smart business decision.

 

Family sedans don’t have emotion - they’re commodities,  if you want to see emotional buyers look at Bronco, Bronco Sport and Maverick. 
 

Lots of younger folks without kids are buying wagons, utilities and trucks to support their active lifestyle.

 

I get that you like cars but there is simply no way to rationalize cars over other vehicles right now from a business standpoint.  

 

It would've been nice for them to have imported Mondeo or Evos here with Fusion badging to fill that sedan gap as a single offering since engineering is already done.  Keep it to mid tier and up offerings to keep prices worth importing, and whatever volume you get is what you get.

[akirby]

2 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

 

It would've been nice for them to have imported Mondeo or Evos here with Fusion badging to fill that sedan gap as a single offering since engineering is already done.  Keep it to mid tier and up offerings to keep prices worth importing, and whatever volume you get is what you get.

I’m not against consumers having more choices and imports could do that.  Too bad Flat Rock can’t support Utilities or trucks.  Would make a nice spillover C2 plant that could support Nautilus and Mondeo and Edge but I think BEVs are taking all resources for the near future.

[rperez817]

2 hours ago, akirby said:

I think BEVs are taking all resources for the near future.

 

If Ford does introduce a new sedan model to the U.S. market in the next few years, it will almost certainly be BEV. Ford won't (and shouldn't) field a competitor to the current generation Chevrolet Malibu.