Chevrolet's Longest-Running Midsize Nameplate to Come to Europe

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – October 14, 2011: From hot rod to police cruiser to convertible to America's main street midsize sedan, few midsize cars have appealed to so many, for so long, as the Chevrolet Malibu.

The eighth generation Malibu is Chevrolet's first global midsize and the first ever edition of the nameplate to be launched in Europe. Having made its European debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2011, the all-new Malibu will go on sale on the continent next year and be the brand's new flagship.

The Malibu is the auto industry's longest-running midsize nameplate, spanning 35 years, six decades, and eight generations. Chevrolet has produced more than 8.5 million Malibus in the United States since its debut in 1964.

Introduced as the top model of the Chevrolet Chevelle midsize car line, Malibu's combination of sporty design, enhanced trim and high level of standard equipment quickly established the vehicle with 200,000 total sales in its first year. From 1964 to 1967, Malibu was available in a full range of body styles including two-door hardtops, two-door convertibles, four-door sedans and station wagons.

In its debut year, the Malibu lineup included the now legendary 300-horsepower 5,359 cubic-centimeter (327 cubic-inch) V8 Malibu SS coupe and convertible; the following year introduced a more powerful 350-horsepower 5,359 cubic-centimeter (327 cubic-inch) small block. The Malibu SS Z16 package – available only in the hardtop model – featured Malibu's first big block engine – a 6,489 cubic-centimeter (396 cubic-inch) 375 horsepower powerplant.

For the 1966 model year, the Malibu SS was replaced by the SS396. This model came with a heavy-duty suspension and other performance upgrades. The 396 V8 was available in 325, 360 and 375 horsepower versions.

The Malibu was significantly redesigned for the 1968 model year as fastback styling overtook the industry. This second generation of Malibus continued with the front engine and rear-wheel-drive layout, but used different wheelbases for two-door and four-door models.

Chevrolet introduced a third generation of Chevelles, including a Malibu, in 1973 that would continue through 1977. The Malibu was available in coupe, sedan and wagon configurations. The Malibu SS package was available on all body styles including the wagon. In 1974, the Malibu became the entry-level Chevelle model.

The third-generation Malibu also was successful in NASCAR. The 1973-1977 body was aerodynamic and amassed 25 winner's circle appearances for Chevrolet drivers Cale Yarborough, Bobby Allison, Darrell Waltrip and Benny Parsons.

A smaller Malibu debuted in 1978, responding to a rise in fuel economy demands, yet retained contemporary styling and features. The Malibu's first era of rear-wheel-drive cars ended after the 1983 model year when an all-new generation of front-wheel-drive midsize cars was introduced in 1997 following a 14-year production hiatus.

Malibu was reborn as a four-door sedan with a four-cylinder 150 horsepower and a V6 with 155 horsepower. Malibu quickly earned a reputation as a well-built, value-driven sedan designed to take on established midsize leaders. It also earned Motor Trend magazine's Car-of-the-Year award for 1997.

A sixth-generation Malibu debuted for the 2004 model year in four-door sedan and extended sedan versions with Ecotec 4-cylinder and V6 engines. It again garnered awards and recommendations from automotive media, independent research groups and safety advocates. The Malibu topped its segment in the 2005 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study. In 2006, the Malibu SS model was reintroduced with a 240-horsepower V6 with more aggressive front and rear clips, 18" wheels, and sport bucket seats.

In 2007, Chevrolet launched a seventh-generation for the 2008 model year. It became one of the division's most highly decorated vehicles, earning more than 40 automotive industry honors, including the 2008 North American Car of the Year.

The Malibu was Chevrolet's – and General Motors – best-selling passenger car in 2010, with nearly 200,000 cars (198,770) sold. The Malibu is the industry's only midsize car to win the Consumers Digest Automotive "Best Buy" award the past three years – 2011, 2010 and 2009. It has also been named a "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety the past two years (2010 and 2011). Malibu helped Chevrolet increase market share by 2 percentage points within the mid-car segment from just under 7 percent in 2008 to nearly 9 percent in 2010.

Chevrolet's eighth generation Malibu – the first global midsize for customers in nearly 100 markets on six continents – will serve as the brand's flagship vehicle in many parts of the world including China, Korea, Europe, Australia. In Europe, the Malibu will be equipped with powerful 4-cylinder 2.0-liter diesel or 2.4-liter gasoline engines delivering an output of 164 hp and 169 hp, respectively. The Malibu is designed to stand out around the world with a roomy, quiet and upscale interior, and refined ride and handling characteristics. The new Malibu will be built in China, Korea and two locations in the United States. It is scheduled to start production in Fairfax, Kan., U.S., in early 2012 and at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly (Michigan, U.S.) next summer.