The Malibu, which was first introduced in 1964, is today sold in more than 25 markets around the world.
31 Aug 2015 | 3249 Views | By Autocar Professional Bureau
Fifty-one years after it was introduced as Chevrolet’s first midsize car, production of the iconic Malibu sedan has crossed the 10-million mark. The United States, China and Korea, which collectively account for more than 90 percent of sales for the Malibu, which is sold in more than 25 markets around ...
This is an Autocar Pro Plus article. Subscribe to continue reading.
Fifty-one years after it was introduced as Chevrolet’s first midsize car, production of the iconic Malibu sedan has crossed the 10-million mark. The United States, China and Korea, which collectively account for more than 90 percent of sales for the Malibu, which is sold in more than 25 markets around the world.
“The Chevy Malibu joins an exclusive club of vehicles that have achieved this extraordinary milestone and we acknowledge it today by honoring the common thread linking every one produced: The customer,” said Alan Batey, president, global Chevrolet brand chief. “Some people are buying their very first Malibu today and others may have driven a Malibu from a different generation as their first car, but it’s a car that has resonated with customers for more than half a century.”
Chevrolet’s interaction with customers has evolved with technology since the Malibu was introduced in 1964. At the time, an owner’s manual and a personal relationship with the dealer were the conventional methods of customer service. By the 1990s, customer call centers provided more direct links to customer questions.
The Malibu’s 10-millionth milestone comes as the all-new, 2016 Chevrolet Malibu enters production. The ninth-generation sedan is completely restyled and is the most fuel-efficient, connected and technologically advanced Malibu ever.
History of the Malibu
Named after the California city famous for its beaches, the 1964 Chevrolet Malibu was the top-line model of an all-new vehicle line touted as a premium choice for families that needed space and efficiency for long commutes.
Chevrolet said the Malibu was an ‘intermediate’ – a car positioned between the full-size series and the compact Chevy II, and representing the birth of the mainstream midsize segment. Customers found it just the right size, snapping up more than 370,000 in the first year from a line-up that also included the entry-level 300 and Chevelle models, and a range of body styles that included coupes, sedans, wagons and convertibles. The lineup also included the Malibu SS muscle car.
Popularity of Chevy’s upstart intermediate range mushroomed and sales topped 503,000 by 1969 – with the popular Malibu two-door sport coupe accounting for 300,000 of them.
Malibu rolled through the 1970s as one of the best-selling cars of the decade. It was retired in 1983, after its fourth generation. It returned in 1997 as a modern, front-drive sedan and in the nearly 20 years since, GM says it has continued to evolve, offering the latest in efficiency-enhancing technologies, safety features and, more recently, the connectivity features that have become increasingly important to customers.
The Malibu was first sold in China in 2012. Since then, more than 330,000 Malibus have been sold across the country.