GM Plans Early Malibu Refresh

[cp-the-nerd]

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...#ixzz2DzacgDZa

Hate to say I told you so... (especially being an owner and GM supporter)

For any number of reasons, the new Malibu has been selling an abysmal 10,000 units per month and has been universally disliked in every reputable best-selling midsize car comparison.

While only a new front-end based on the 2014 Impala's design has been confirmed, expect to see improved fuel economy, and perhaps other tweaks to address shortcomings overlooked leading up to production.

What the car NEEDS to be as successful as the 7th gen was in 2008 is several more mpg added to its base rating and a new version of the eAssist system in the ECO model managing at least 28/40 mpg.

Going out on a limb, I would like to see some weight loss using production techniques from the Cadillac ATS (lightest in its class) and the Cruze Eco (shaved 150 lbs off the standard 1.4T model it's based on). This would simultaneously improve fuel economy and driving dynamics across the Malibu model line up.

[Silenze]

get ready for some huge incentives
malibu fire sale

[08chevymalibultz]

I am so glad that I got rid of my 08 and did not buy another. This is exactly what I was talking about on the generation 8 model before getting unnecessarily bashed! GM did not get the Generation 7 right and / nor the generation 8! " An Improvement but fell short"

By the way, I am loving my new Toyota Camry, it was worth every penny with zero complaints / problems!

Good luck! Seriously, I wish you guys the best!

[GolfTango]

Originally Posted by 08chevymalibultz

I am so glad that I got rid of my 08 and did not buy another. This is exactly what I was talking about on the generation 8 model before getting unnecessarily bashed! GM did not get the Generation 7 right and / nor the generation 8! " An Improvement but fell short"

By the way, I am loving my new Toyota Camry, it was worth every penny with zero complaints / problems!

Good luck! Seriously, I wish you guys the best!

The 7th gen was done right, one of the best selling GMs to date. GM just jumped to market too soon on the 8th gen. It's going to take a real miracle on the MCE.

Oh, and Accord > Camry...just saying

[rayle]

Thanks for posting this article, cp. It will factor in whether to buy or lease when our current lease is up in Feb. Personally, I like the exterior style.

[cp-the-nerd]

Originally Posted by GolfTango

The 7th gen was done right, one of the best selling GMs to date. GM just jumped to market too soon on the 8th gen. It's going to take a real miracle on the MCE.

Oh, and Accord > Camry...just saying

I agree on all accounts. The 7th gen may not have been right for him (first year models are always a gamble anyway), but from 08-10 the 7th gen was at or near the top of the class, received dozens of awards and recommendations including the 2008 North American Car of the Year Award, Car & Driver's 10 best list, and the runner up for 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year (behind GM's own CTS and ahead of the 08 Accord).

The 7th gen was so successful because it was innovative. Acoustic laminated glass and a 6-speed automatic were class-exclusive to the Malibu, and it looked and drove like a car $10k more expensive with almost no compromise.

The 8th gen is full of compromises because they over-engineered the car to be the best at everything, only to sacrifice midsize fundamentals that cars like the Accord and Altima have utterly nailed this time around.

[Seadog69]

IMO - They should not have released the new 2013 model as the Eco only. I think that was a mistake.

Sales have picked up since the "regular" cars were made for sale.

[nutcrunch]

Originally Posted by Seadog69

IMO - They should not have released the new 2013 model as the Eco only. I think that was a mistake.

Sales have picked up since the "regular" cars were made for sale.

I love our Eco but I agree with you, they should have released them all at the same time.

I like the front end on the upcoming Impala but it looks better on the Impala, the front end on the 2013 Malibu looks better for the Malibu. Glad I got ours already before they mess with it.

[mzodarg]

Like nutcrunch. I love the look of this car. I do have some gripses with my soon to be gone ECO, (tonight at 7:30) I pick up the new LTZ. I'll have a few of the same gripes, but I wont' complaint about the trunk space or the power or wishing I had proximity and push start.

I might complain about the mileage and the rear seat leg room though.

For the record I never have passengers, but if I did they would complain.

Tre'

[cp-the-nerd]

@Seadog - Sales have not picked up. They've only fallen since the discounted '12 models have sold out and the '13 has been forced to stand on its own. This is the second straight month of 10k sales. The 7th gen was selling nearly double that from 2009 to 2011.

@nutcrunch - The Malibu will mainly just receive the grill (which is the new Chevy signature also on the '13 Traverse) and probably a fog light treatment similar to the Impala or Traverse. They will be touching it up, not redesigning it entirely. What you already like will not be ruined.