The End of an Era: Chevrolet Malibu Bids Farewell to the Sedan Market as the Automotive Industry Shifts Towards Trucks and SUVs

General Motors has announced that the Chevrolet Malibu, its last remaining sedan in its lineup, will no longer be produced after this year. The plant where it is manufactured at Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kansas, will be reconfigured to produce the new generation of the Chevrolet Bolt EV electric car.

This move by General Motors follows a decision made by Ford to stop selling sedans like the Taurus and Fusion, leaving only the Mustang in its car lineup. Additionally, Chevrolet recently stopped production of its Mustang competitor, the Camaro.

Despite a decline in sedan sales across the industry, GM sold over 130,000 Malibus last year, marking a 13% increase from the previous year. However, with traditional cars accounting for less than 20% of auto sales in the United States according to Cox Automotive, it’s clear that consumer preferences are shifting towards trucks and SUVs.

Originally introduced as a luxury version of the Chevrolet Chevelle in the 1960s and later becoming its own distinct model by the 1970s, the Malibu has a rich history as part of Chevrolet’s lineup for many years. Although production is coming to an end this year at Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kansas, it will undoubtedly be remembered as an iconic part of American automotive history.