General Motors announced it will discontinue the Chevrolet Malibu -- the brand's last gasoline-powered sedan -- by the end of this year as it focuses on electric vehicles, starting with the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt EVs.
Since its debut in 1964, the Chevrolet Malibu has been a staple on roads worldwide, with more than 10 million units sold. However, the iconic model will see its production halted in November, as GM repurposes its manufacturing efforts towards electric vehicles at its Kansas assembly plant with an investment of $390 million.
The move is part of GM's broader transition away from traditional cars to more crossover and sport utility vehicles, which have been gaining popularity.
The Malibu's discontinuation follows closely on the heels of the Chevrolet Camaro's production end last year, leaving the Corvette as the sole remaining Chevrolet car model in the U.S.
GM also announced plans to temporarily pause production of the Cadillac XT4 at the same Kansas plant after January 2025, which will result in temporary layoffs. Production is expected to resume in late 2025 with both the Bolt EV and XT4 sharing the assembly line.
The market response to the Malibu has been mixed, with sales dipping 12.5% in the first three months of the year. However, overall sales in 2023 showed a 13% increase to 130,000 units.
