Chevrolet Malibu Plant Idled as GM Deals With Glut
GM is temporarily closing the plant that builds the Chevrolet Malibu mid-size sedan as it tries to deal with swollen inventory.
The plant, located in Fairfax, Kansas, was closed last week and will remain closed this week as the automaker tries to better align its supply with demand for the 2013 Malibu. Shifts were also cancelled from January 2 through 4, 2013, which is when workers were supposed to return from the holiday.
SEE ALSO: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco Named ‘Most Disliked Car of 2012′
According to Automotive News, General Motors’ inventory stood at 788,200 units on December 1, which is the highest level since April, 2009.
It hasn’t been an easy road for the 2013 Malibu, which saw harsh criticism since its launch earlier this year. The 2013 Malibu Eco was named the “Most Disliked Car of 2012” by Fortune Magazine.
With only 18 months on the market, GM is already working to refresh the car for late next year, something that seems to acknowledge the criticism so far, although the automaker isn’t confirming that.
Discuss this story at ChevyMalibuForum.com.
[Source: Automotive News]
Luke is an energetic automotive journalist who spends his time covering industry news and crawling the internet for the latest breaking story. When he isn't in the office, Luke can be found obsessively browsing used car listings, drinking scotch at his favorite bar and dreaming of what to drive next, though the list grows a lot faster than his bank account. He's always on <A title="@lukevandezande on Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/lukevandezande">Twitter</A> looking for a good car conversation. Find Luke on <A title="@lukevandezande on Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/lukevandezande">Twitter</A> and <A title="Luke on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/112531385961538774338?rel=author">Google+</A>.
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The main problem with the new Malibu is they downsized it. No styling change is going to fix that. The reason they did it was to move the Impala to the long wheelbase epsilon platform. They should've left the Malibu on the long wheelbase, and named the "SS" the Impala! Chevrolet's are supposed to have names. Then finally marketed the Caprice flagship to the American public. Hopefully when the next generation is built in north America they will do something similar to what I just explained. America needs a new long traditional full size sedan, Caprice should be that car.
What a mess! The long awaited "new" Malibu must be a huge embarrassment to GM. I really don't think a re-fresh will do alot to make it any more attractive to buyers. For one, quit adding Camaro influences in it. Last I knew, the Camaro did not come with a weak4 cylinder engine and four doors? Two, add a V6 as an option again so it has something.... anything to compete with Toyota and Honda (atleast make them feel like they can compete with them). Atleast GM is not turbo-ing everything like Ford. Lastly, dump the ECO version all together. All it does is show people what doesn't sell.If this new car is in already for a mid cycle refresh, maybe this look will only be around for 3 years and then they can really make an "all-new" Malibu that people will buy. I hope their "new" Silverados don't go way of the new Malibu too? They look way too much like the current ones.