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06-11-2009, 11:00 AM
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Chevrolet has decided to cancel production of its Malibu Hybrid. As shocking as this might seem for a company that seems dedicated to building environmentally-friendly cars, it actually makes a lot of sense.
For starters, while the Malibu itself continues to sell well and has received critical acclaim from auto journos, the Hybrid version has never been a popular model - and its about to get less so.
Rated at 24/32 mpg (city/highway) the numbers aren't all that impressive, due mostly to the car's mild hybrid system. Those numbers aren't as good as the 33/34 mpg rating for the Toyota Camry Hybrid and are nowhere close to the 36/41 of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid.
The 24/32 rating is even less impressive when you consider the four-cylinder Malibu with a six-speed automatic transmission gets 20/31 mpg and costs significantly less.
General Motors has not commented on if or when a new and improved hybrid system will find its way into the Malibu.
More: Chevy Drops Hybrid Malibu From Lineup (http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2009/06/chevy-drops-hybrid-malibu-from-lineup.html) on AutoGuide.com
Chevrolet has decided to cancel production of its Malibu Hybrid. As shocking as this might seem for a company that seems dedicated to building environmentally-friendly cars, it actually makes a lot of sense.
For starters, while the Malibu itself continues to sell well and has received critical acclaim from auto journos, the Hybrid version has never been a popular model - and its about to get less so.
Rated at 24/32 mpg (city/highway) the numbers aren't all that impressive, due mostly to the car's mild hybrid system. Those numbers aren't as good as the 33/34 mpg rating for the Toyota Camry Hybrid and are nowhere close to the 36/41 of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid.
The 24/32 rating is even less impressive when you consider the four-cylinder Malibu with a six-speed automatic transmission gets 20/31 mpg and costs significantly less.
General Motors has not commented on if or when a new and improved hybrid system will find its way into the Malibu.
More: Chevy Drops Hybrid Malibu From Lineup (http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2009/06/chevy-drops-hybrid-malibu-from-lineup.html) on AutoGuide.com