GM Plans Chevy Malibu Refresh For Late Next Year

[Perian]

Automotive News

December 3, 2012

Article Quotes:

DETROIT -- General Motors engineers are hurrying to complete a midcycle refresh of the Chevrolet Malibu for release by late next year, about 18 months after the redesigned sedan's launch, CEO Dan Akerson said.

The move comes amid soft early sales of the car and unflattering media reviews. Some dealers also have questioned whether the Malibu can stand out in the cutthroat mid-sized sedan market.

"We are going to do a midcycle enhancement, not dramatic, by this time next year," Akerson told Automotive News last week. He said the changes would include a new front fascia but declined to elaborate.

Such face-lifts typically come about three years after a car's launch. Akerson acknowledged the unflattering reviews and said that the refresh is taking place sooner than had been planned.

"I think it's a good car. It'll do OK," Akerson said. "It is a tough segment and it's one we need to be successful in. We'll see how it plays out."

[Perian]

A new GM indeed.

Who can show us a new Malibu with the 2014 Impala face?

Suggestion: Join the Fusion and Accord: Do a "Cruze ECO" type vehicle for the updated Malibu with a six speed manual transmission and the "ECO" gearing. Two reasons: Price and MPG comparisons with the competition.

[JuMPy]

color me shocked ......... although the front facia is the least of the issues IMO

[FenwickHockey65]

I have no problems with the front and rear fascias.

Probably just bringing it in line with Impala, and maybe some interior/powertrain tweaks. There isn't a whole lot more they can do with the car.

[derek77]

"We are going to do a midcycle enhancement, not dramatic, by this time next year," Akerson told Automotive News last week. He said the changes would include a new front fascia but declined to elaborate.

There are several little things that GM can redesign to make this car better, even address rear legroom. Giving it a new face and a new butt are just to show the buying public that the Malibu has been changed.

[JBsZ06]

Good to GM react and update....

The Malibu is a nice vehicle.....it's just the fusion is so dam sexy looking.....we can forgive it's few less than spectacular comparisons.


The lease deals on the malibu will move the cars...the mid size segment is all about the lease cost to the consumer...

Off lease sales depend on remaining warranty and GMs 5 year 100k mile warranty is helping used car buyers feel more secure about their purchase..


The Malibu turbo with the big rims was a looker ...

The base model on smaller wheels is awkward looking.

GM should LISTEN and just offer the malibu with the 19 inch rims only...that move will stabilize the stance of the vehicle to a cool look and than a front facia refresh really wouldn't be necessary...


When will car companies learn the old game of charging extra for upmarket wheels does NOT always have to be played.....sometimes just make it standard on a car in a segment that's getting it's butt kicked...

[ColoradoZQ8]

color me shocked ......... although the front facia is the least of the issues IMO

100% Agreed.
The first reaction to the new Malibu for most people -- "Why did they bother?" They could have just milked the last-gen
car a few more years instead of completely redesigning it to make it look like the.... the last-gen car with Camaro taillights.

Hopefully, the midcycle will make the current car more distinctive over the last-gen.

[1487]

This won't change rear seat room or media impressions of the car. I expect new front end and less fake wood Plus more standard kit.

[eaton53]

it's just the fusion is so dam sexy looking.

Too bad they can't keep their combustion internal.

[majicbz07]

I don't think there was a big problem with the look of the car, I personally like the exterior. But the problem was more with the way it drove and handled as well as not much better improvement in FE with the ECO , which is almost out done by the V6 Accord and others and then there is the lack of legroom in the backseat compared to competitors.

[the_smurf2008]

My hope is there is an increase in the rear seat room. The loss of this room has caused me trouble with customers.(And yes I know this is a refresh, but I feel a small tweak would be possible.

[blowngtp]

Wow. Glad to see this is not a five year wait. Its a mid-cycle facelift because the Malibu actually came out in January of this year.

[JBsZ06]

GM specifically shrunk rear seat room on the Malibu to give reson for the impala...

Fake wood does blow,so that should go....and if the front and rear facia can improved like the new impala why not?


I still think the awkward stance of the standard wheels on the Malibu Eco NEED TO GO!

Talk about cheap looking car whereas the Malibu RS is hot looking..


Same car ...totally different stance ...

The solution is in the details...

[spd98]

Let's just see if they pull it off. I don't think a "new front" is going to fix this one. It's going to take a good bit more than just cosmetics.

[kylepo]

"I think it's a good car. It'll do OK," lol so very confident sounding.