I just purchased my 2011 Malibu 2LT and I need to ditch the crappy chrome-tech wheels. They damage too easily!!!
Not sure about them damaging
easier than a "real" aluminum wheel. In my experience, over time (especially if not cared for) aluminum wheels end up with the surface losing their nice finish.
On our Venture, the protective coating is peeling away from the wheel.
The chrome-techs may be more difficult (impossible?) to repair though.
For either type of wheel, if you rub it against a curb it's going to be a "bad day".
The biggest problem I see with the chrometechs is that it seems hard to find an inexpensive replacement if you damage one. I see a fair number of LTZ wheels (OEM and OEM knockoffs) on ebay, but I seldom see a Malibu 18" chrometech.