Next-gen Malibu Still A Year Off For the U.S.
Chris Doane - CheersandGears.com
January 27, 2011
If you were hoping to drive the next-generation Chevy Malibu this summer, you'll need to ask yourself one question.
"Do I live in the United States?"
If you answered yes, call your travel agent and make sure your passport is up-to-date. Any summer wheelin' in the new Malibu will require a quick hop to Korea.
Earlier today, GM announced to several of its' suppliers that the start of regular production for the U.S. market Chevy Malibu would be in early January of 2012. If that seems like a long wait, count your blessings. The original timeline didn't have production kicking off until May 2012.
Much like the rollout for the Chevy Cruze, export markets should get their hands on the new Malibu quite a bit sooner. Built in Korea, and wearing a Holden Epica badge, this foreign market version will go into production in the summer, or early Fall, of this year. While that might irritate American buyers, it may at least point to a debut of the Malibu at the 2011 New York Auto Show.
Once Chevy starts churning out the new Malibu from the Fairfax and Detroit Hamtramck plants, there's not likely to be any V6 engines under the hood. Instead, you'll find the 2.4L SIDI 4-cylinder or the direct-inject, turbo-charged 2.0L 4-cylinder.
There will also be a "mild hybrid" Malibu, utilizing the second generation Belt Alternator System. Formerly dubbed "BAS-Plus," we now know it as "eAssist." The same system will appear in the 2012 Buick Lacrosse where it is said to increase fuel economy by 25%. Similar gains should be expected in the Malibu.
For fans of the current Malibu, GM will continue building them through the 2012 model year. Expect it to wear a "Classic" badge during its' final run.
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