Chevrolet Malibu EV.
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This might be blasphemous to some, but I think a new Chevrolet Malibu EV would be the right car at the right time for GM.
As there will be a gap to fill. While Tesla is still the largest seller of EVs in the US and Europe, it seems to be on a downward spiral. The most recent February numbers from Europe are disastrous. From last year, sales dropped by 60% in Germany, 45% in France and Norway, 48% in Denmark and over 75% in Spain. In many of these countries, EV sales in general are actually growing.
These terrible numbers cannot just be explained by a new Model Y coming out. For instance, sales of the Model 3 in Australia are down a crazy 81.4%. Tesla sales in general are down 28%.
At the same time, GM is selling more EVs than ever and already has a few competitors to the Model Y on sale. With sales of the Model 3 going down as well, I think Chevrolet should offer an affordable Ultium-based EV sedan. A new Malibu EV. Something lower and more aerodynamic than the Equinox EV could easily get a 350-mile range. And be a bit cheaper as well.
Many Tesla Model 3 owners might be looking for something else, and might not want an SUV. A new Malibu EV could probably fill the Model 3 void.
The Hyundai Ionioq 6 sells better than ever but still in pretty low numbers. And I really don’t think the new Kia EV4 will be that popular in the US. That design is just too weird for most people.
A nice-looking fastback Chevrolet EV sedan could really be a hit for GM.
Not bad. No EV. Reality of charging time doesn’t match up with a primary car commuter/distance time saver. A stretched compact, budget hybrid on a simple platform fits a new Malibu. The fattest people will moan, but they won’t admit they’ll really choose a crossover.
Totally agree. But GM should be careful about expecting huge numbers to support the cost of new electric platforms. While the stench of Musk will affect Tesla sales heavily, the bigger issue will be a full recession or depression. You can’t fire millions of people and eliminate needed governmental support functions without suddenly strangling the spending power of the economy. Same for tariffs raising prices and general market uncertainty.
Agree with the earlier post. Musk/Tesla will go down but drag the entire US car industry with him. I wouldn’t be putting much money into developing new cars at this point. Especially if I was GM or Ford trying to deal with USMCA tariff wars. Other than that, the idea’s OK.
Oh you betcha, the payday-loan credit-risk low-lives who are resigned to buying a Chevy Malibu because they have a sub-500 credit score and a room temp IQ are also gonna have the money to afford an EV, or a place to charge it, or the kind of insurance needed to replace that enormous piece of panoramic rear glass when they inevitably smash the rear end and shatter it into pieces. 😆