Unconfirmed: New Malibu Selling Only 9% Fleet

[cire_1wb]

"Back in April of this year J.D. Power and associates released that 19.8% of trade-ins toward a new Malibu were import branded cars. That is vastly improved over the previous Malibu. Also released in April, Car And Driver reported that 25-30% of all new Malibu sales were of the top-of-the-line LTZ model. They also reported that 70% of Malibu sales were of the smaller, ECOTEC 2.4L engine. It should be noted that for 2009 the Malibu LTZ comes standard with the ECOTEC 2.4L engine and has a best-in-class fuel economy rating of 22 miles-per-gallon city and 33 miles-per-gallon highway."

So Chevrolet can appeal to mainstream midsize sedan buyers who usually prefer Asian imports if the division is given attractive and competitive products (which are updated/redesigned on a timely basis). I wish GM would have realized this back in the '80s; it would have saved the corporation from wasting billions of dollars launching Saturn. Maybe GM will finally realize that it doesn't need 2 mainstream affordable divisions and it can let go of Saturn. Chevrolet is competent enough to handle this portion of the market when it is given the proper tools to allow it to be competitive. Opel could then be aligned with Pontiac; a division that has the sportier, edgier, and aspirational brand image (when it's not diluted with rebadged Chevy clones) and larger dealership base to properly represent Opel in North America.

It looks like this car is the first step towards reestablishing Chevrolet as a credible and competitive mainstream division. The Malibu is one of the most attractive sedans in the mainstream midsize segment. I hope GM can continue the momentum it has started with this car. Each subsequent product needs to reinforce the positive impact that GM has created with the Malibu. Hopefully, GM also realizes that it cannot let this car (or any of its products) remain in the market for an overextended time period and introduces an even better next gen product on a timely basis. The ground GM has gained with this car will be lost if GM allows it to stay on the market without a timely redesign (a mistake that GM has too often made in the past).

It's great to see Chevrolet and GM with a hit on its hands!

[Sgt Beavis]

I travel a lot. I almost always use National Car Rental and go to the Emerald aisle.

I think I've seen maybe five new Malibu's on the lot in the last year. I mostly see Pontiac G6's (which has a nice ride) or Chevy Impala's (my favorite rental car)

I just wish I could get a Malibu just once. Unfortunately they are either in the Executive Aisle or all rented out when I get there...

[jkr2106]

Originally Posted by steinravnik

I've been seeing a lot of them in import dominated DC metro area. At first, I didn't see too many, but the number I've seen has been gradually growing.

I've been back to school in Boston for the past 2 days now, but over the summer I was surprised, too by how many Malibus I've seen around the DC area. Even my Nissan-loving parents like it. I always make sure to point them out whenever we see them in the wild.

On a side note, we went to Orlando this summer and had a Camry LE rental (there were a bunch, but no Malibus). My mom said it was the most un-inspired ride and the worse driving position she's ever experienced.

[member12]

Great title!

I was bored at work this morning. I really need something to do. If I am not busy, I go out every night and start bad habits.




The malibu is a great car...no doubt. I'm trying to get my parents to look at one instead of an Acura TSX or Lexus ES. It's cheaper and almost as good!

[ponchoman49]

Imagine how well it would do in retail slaes with NAV option, fold down rear armrest, overhead assist grips, re-instated power pedal and fold flat passenger seat option and a true dual mode hybrid.

[bhoppes]

How well would you think a Malibu with a 6 speed manual would do? And if they added the XFE version with LTZ or any other trim level, and you could get 37 MPG that would be sweet, but would it sell?

[Canyonaro]

If true that is EXCELLENT news!

I have seen 1 Mali (LS) part of our city fleet, and 3 Malis (LT) part of the local Enterprise fleet. All in all that isn't too bad when you think of the other vehicles I see in the rental fleets. The same Enterprise lot is loaded with Mazda 6's, Fusions, Focuses, 2 Corollas, 1 Camry, 1 HHR, and 1 Impala (out of about 15-20 cars is all).

[bobojay]

Originally Posted by ponchoman49

Imagine how well it would do in retail slaes with NAV option, fold down rear armrest, overhead assist grips, re-instated power pedal and fold flat passenger seat option and a true dual mode hybrid.

Very little difference. I don't know why folks dwell on these minor options when not many folks would get them even if they were available. Any car we've ever owned, ever, we've never touched the assist grips. Power pedals would be nice as would the rear fold down armrest, but sure not deal breakers.
The 2-mode hybrid will be here eventually. Probably after they get the costs down a bit.

[bobojay]

I drove a new ecotec/6spd combo Malibu last week to do a dealer trade for my Chevy dealer I'm working for now.
Most of the trip was highway. My biggest complaint was the constant upshifting/downshifting of the transmission because of the lower powered engine in the heavier car not being able to maintain 65mph on minor hills.
Now what city driving I did do with it, it was nice. Smooth, quiet, which is surprising for an ecotec, although I didn't like the exhaust sound.

[69Firebird400]

Does GM still produce the old Malibu (for fleet customers only?) If not, then we should see this number declining over the next six months pretty dramatically.

[Chaz_23]

That's what G6s and Auras are there for. To represent GM at the rental car lots for midsize cars.

[mjd1001]

Gm need to keep the number of new Malibus in rental hands VERY LOW. If this number is true, then it is good news. However, if sales start to slow..GM should NOT react by dumping Malibus to the fleets to keep numbers up. As long as you have the G6 around, which has been around longer, that should go to fleets. Only after the Malibu has been around for 4 years or so should you start giving fleets more.

[Bravada]

Does GM still produce the old Malibu (for fleet customers only?) If not, then we should see this number declining over the next six months pretty dramatically.

See: Impala, G6

Only after the Malibu has been around for 4 years or so should you start giving fleets more.

If you'd look at the benchmark Camry and Accord, they NEVER go fleet special, and that's the secret. Whatever vintage Accord you look at, they are still "good value". Although arguably the only brand that should bear the fleet burden within GM's empire is actually Chevrolet...

[Bigbee60]

Originally Posted by 69Firebird400

Does GM still produce the old Malibu (for fleet customers only?)

The Classic Malibu was only produced until the end of 2007 and isn't made anymore. Chevy has a 1FL Fleet trim under the LS for the new bodystyle Malibu. It comes with the LE5 Ecotec 2.4L engine and 4 speed auto transmission standard. You can get the LZ4 3.5L VVT engine as an option on the 1FL trim level only.

I had one as a rental in Raleigh a few weeks back with the old pushrod 3.5L VVT V-6 engine and it was great on power and fuel economy averaging 32.5 mpg overall in 200+ miles of 50/50 city and highway driving. I'm surprised Chevy doesn't offer this package as a Value trim for consumers who may not want the 4 or 6 cylinder overhead cam engines and their limitations on either power or economy.

[member12]

It's a great car. I think it looks a little like a Passat, but better. I'd like to see an updated interior for the Aura now.

The Aura and the Malibu both have very attractive designs, but that is the only way the Aura falls short is the interior details...and it isn't even that much of a problem.