[Silver LTZ]

Fairfax will be running some extra shifts to keep up....

http://www.leftlanenews.com/gms-fairfax-assembly-plant-set-to-run-around-the-clock.html#more-24038

 

[Red LTZ]

A step in the right direction! I was a little concerned about the speed up slow down method they plan to use to do line maintenance. It concerns me because they usually have 8 hours of down time to do the maintnance. Hopefully quality will remain high.

 

[bballr4567]

That is good but they have a long way to go to get control of some decent market share.

I hope the next gen Malibu fixes the "problems" that this gen has with the interior (stupid sharp hip bruiser on the b pillars and harsh, hard door rests) and Im sure GM will get some of those foreign buyers back.

 

[Silver LTZ]

That is good but they have a long way to go to get control of some decent market share.

I hope the next gen Malibu fixes the "problems" that this gen has with the interior (stupid sharp hip bruiser on the b pillars and harsh, hard door rests) and Im sure GM will get some of those foreign buyers back.

The new Malibu has put the biggest dent in Camry/Accord sales ever from what I read on Edmunds. Still number 3, but getting closer....

 

[bballr4567]

I agree but when the Camry and Accord own over 50% of the market it would be great to take more of that back. I think that the longer the "better" Malibu has been out will really test those top two. Especially with the next gen coming out and the fact it will look more sporty, with more usable truck and actually smaller while probably returning even better MPG along with a good hybrid model will really seal the deal.

Regardless, GM needs to deal with crappy dealerships. You rarely hear about a bad dealership story with Toyota or Honda but ALL the time with Chevy. That is what is truly going to make a difference for the new GM as well.

 

[K-A]

Good for the Malibu. I think much of the reason is that they're FINALLY advertising the car a ton on TV, etc. When I was shopping mine, most of the PR info I got was from car Mags/Reviews praising it (actually the best way to make a decision, as it's generally unbiased).

I think if GM didn't have such a bad rap, this Malibu would have given the Japanese competitors a lot more trouble, as the design is still very fresh, and IMO SO SO many people have no idea what it even is still. I get a lot of "what kind of car is that"? type of stuff, which IMO means the car is slowly getting more recognition, and bringing in a new MY in 2011 might be a bit too soon? Hopefully the new one is a nice improvement as GM finally hit a home run with this car, and set the bar nice.

My biggest issue with mine is, although the interior is great for a GM at this price point, the materials, overall refinement, and *smell* doesn't stack up with the competition yet. GM needs to get rid of whatever's giving their cars that "cheap American car" scent.

 

[Silver LTZ]

Good for the Malibu. I think much of the reason is that they're FINALLY advertising the car a ton on TV, etc. When I was shopping mine, most of the PR info I got was from car Mags/Reviews praising it (actually the best way to make a decision, as it's generally unbiased).

I think if GM didn't have such a bad rap, this Malibu would have given the Japanese competitors a lot more trouble, as the design is still very fresh, and IMO SO SO many people have no idea what it even is still. I get a lot of "what kind of car is that"? type of stuff, which IMO means the car is slowly getting more recognition, and bringing in a new MY in 2011 might be a bit too soon? Hopefully the new one is a nice improvement as GM finally hit a home run with this car, and set the bar nice.

My biggest issue with mine is, although the interior is great for a GM at this price point, the materials, overall refinement, and *smell* doesn't stack up with the competition yet. GM needs to get rid of whatever's giving their cars that "cheap American car" scent.

You make alot of good points, but for the most part my dealer has been pretty good. I actually hear alot of horror stories about the local Toyota dealer down here. Times are tuff, they should all be trying extra hard.

I get the same thing with my car, comments and questions like "What kinda car is that?", or when I tell them, I get "Wow that is a Malibu!", etc, etc. Only things I would change would be the A6 transmission programming isn't as good as it could be, I wish the front bumper didn't have to come off to change a bulb and I would like nicer door panels too. Maybe just a little leather or something added to them. And finally, I would love to have the option to get the DI 304hp 3.6 as an option. Can never have too much power!

 

[K-A]

You make alot of good points, but for the most part my dealer has been pretty good. I actually hear alot of horror stories about the local Toyota dealer down here. Times are tuff, they should all be trying extra hard.

I get the same thing with my car, comments and questions like "What kinda car is that?", or when I tell them, I get "Wow that is a Malibu!", etc, etc. Only things I would change would be the A6 transmission programming isn't as good as it could be, I wish the front bumper didn't have to come off to change a bulb and I would like nicer door panels too. Maybe just a little leather or something added to them. And finally, I would love to have the option to get the DI 304hp 3.6 as an option. Can never have too much power!

Agreed! It's really a great car, I can't compliment it enough, but of course I can point out the areas that make me feel like "ugh why did they do this!". The door panels could have been far more pleasant indeed. I fear the day I'd need new bulbs as well.

My Dad saw my Malibu once and was so shocked, thought it looked stunning, kept saying "if they didn't have that Chevy badge I'd think it was a Mercedes, BMW, etc.".

 

[K-A]

One thing that has really really pleased me with this car, are its continuously great crash ratings. It now is an IIHS Top Safety Pick which is huge, with '10 models they fixed the headreasts so it gets a good whiplash score, and now with ESC Standard it's eligable to win that IIHS Award.

Aside from that, the Side and Frontal ratings have always been great, and the car performed amazing in the ROOF Crush test, the score it got is amongst the best that they tested. Also, that Video where it crashed into a Bel Air further shows how Safe a car it is.

Also, not to mention, the IIHS "Loss/Insurance" chart shows it Ranks amongst the top in its class of cars.

 

[Silver LTZ]

One thing that has really really pleased me with this car, are its continuously great crash ratings. It now is an IIHS Top Safety Pick which is huge, with '10 models they fixed the headreasts so it gets a good whiplash score, and now with ESC Standard it's eligable to win that IIHS Award.

Aside from that, the Side and Frontal ratings have always been great, and the car performed amazing in the ROOF Crush test, the score it got is amongst the best that they tested. Also, that Video where it crashed into a Bel Air further shows how Safe a car it is.

Also, not to mention, the IIHS "Loss/Insurance" chart shows it Ranks amongst the top in its class of cars.

The '10 headrests are different? I wonder how they look and if they are "nicer" if they can be swapped out....hummmmmm.

 

[Duckybill]

My biggest issue with mine is, although the interior is great for a GM at this price point, the materials, overall refinement, and *smell* doesn't stack up with the competition yet. GM needs to get rid of whatever's giving their cars that "cheap American car" scent.

I've never owned Toyota or Honda, but the interior of my 2010 Malibu LTZ is down right beautiful. I am almost addicted to cleaning on it. I've never been like this with any other car. I love its appearance inside and out! Especially the LTZ wheels.