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Chevrolet adding extra Malibu production capacity
It looks like General Motors is anticipating big numbers for the new Chevy Malibu. Production just started at the Fairfax Kansas assembly plant a few weeks ago, and they're already gearing up to add more capacity at a second facility. The company informed employees at the Lake Orion, MI plant this week that they will start building Malibus alongside the Pontiac G6s they already produce beginning next spring. The current plan is to add about ten to twenty-five percent more Malibu capacity from Lake Orion. Maxed-out, the Michigan plant could build up to 100,000 Malibus on top of the 150,000 G6s it churns out.
[Source: Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
elprogramer 7:26PM (11/03/2007)
It was speculated in the Detroit News last week.
Suppose they're going all in on this one.
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Whitie 8:07PM (11/03/2007)
I saw one earlier today at the local Chevy dealer. Wow. I think the General has a sure winner on their hands. I liked the pictures, but like it better in person. Nice interior, nice exterior, very reasonable price. The dealer already had the first month sold out. That's a very nice start for the General.
Vivek 10:13PM (11/03/2007)
I saw a black one coming out the Chevy dealership today here in GA. Didn't have the time to see if it was a customer car or a dealer vehicle. Pictures don't do this car any justice. It looks very striking.
Ken 7:33PM (11/03/2007)
It looks like a decent car (from the reviews), with the weak US dollar (squeezing 'imports'), I hope they do well with it.
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SherbornSean 8:13AM (11/04/2007)
What import does the Malibu compete with? Passat?
John R 9:23AM (11/04/2007)
@ShearbornSean
umm...Accord & Camry...
why not the LS2/LS7? 11:57AM (11/04/2007)
The Passat still exists? Sure seems like they don't sell many anymore.
far jr 7:55PM (11/03/2007)
Don't count your chickens (umm... Malibus) before they hatch (err... sell). It looks like a fine car, but has PERCEPTION to overcome.
The Aura was talked up, won awards, has the looks, but hasn't really been blazing off of dealer lots.
GOOD LUCK GM, you may need it.
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psarhjinian 9:07PM (11/03/2007)
The problem with the Aura is that, while it was talked about and did win some (not particularly meaningful) awards, it really wasn't that good a car. It's either numb (in XE form) or harsh (in XR), doesn't have great seats, and has some egregiously cheap bits to the interior.
The non-press-release reviews (C&D's, for example) were at most "meh" and read more or less as "It's Saturn's best car, but it's not the best (or even second-best) midsize sedan by a longshot". Heck, C&D had it beat by the Kia Optima.
The Malibu is very close to the Aura. Does anyone think that it'll really be a better car than, say, the Accord? I think GM should be lucky if this car beats the Sonata and Fusion
MoonRover 10:01PM (11/03/2007)
psarhjinian @ Nov 3rd 2007 9:07PM
The problem with the Aura is that, while it was talked about and did win some (not particularly meaningful) awards, it really wasn't that good a car. It's either numb (in XE form) or harsh (in XR), doesn't have great seats, and has some egregiously cheap bits to the interior.
The non-press-release reviews (C&D's, for example) were at most "meh" and read more or less as "It's Saturn's best car, but it's not the best (or even second-best) midsize sedan by a longshot". Heck, C&D had it beat by the Kia Optima.
The Malibu is very close to the Aura. Does anyone think that it'll really be a better car than, say, the Accord? I think GM should be lucky if this car beats the Sonata and Fusion
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You are absolutely wrong about the Saturn, they are as good as any car in their class, I don't know where you are getting your misguided information but you are wrong. Also the Saturn is doing well at the dealers, as Saturn get more models at dealerships all of their cars will sell well. The Aura was never suppose to be a big volume car, Saturn is a niche automobile, and a good one.
How do I know, my neighbor owns a Saturn dealership. Also Saturn doesn't have nearly as many dealers as its competitors,.
SherbornSean 8:15AM (11/04/2007)
Sorry Moonrover, but the Aura, along with the Outlook and new Vue have not sold as well as expected. Apparently, Saturn buyers don't want to spend more than $20K
jusbeez 8:57PM (11/03/2007)
Im telling you guys, this car is a winner. Looks so good on the road, no way would I buy a camry or accord over this.
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why not the LS2/LS7? 9:03PM (11/03/2007)
It is sad the Aura hasn't sold as well as it deserves. Hopefully this car will not suffer the same fate.
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MikeW 9:38PM (11/03/2007)
GM shouldn't even bother to launch the 2.4 & 4t45 combination since it will be replaced in less than six months.
Way to screw early buyers, yes the '08.5 is faster, smoother, and gets better mileage, all for the same price.
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Whitie 10:00PM (11/03/2007)
"screw early customers"?? You are an idiot.
I saw a black Malibu today in black with gray interior and nice polished wheels. It looked great and was only $21K. The dealership was delivering it to a customer. The car was drawing a crowd (including me) and the new owner rather enjoyed the attention his new ride was getting. Yeah, he looked screwed alright.
Maestro1 2:31AM (11/04/2007)
Well if you buy first, you shouldn't expect to get the best deal or to get the most up-to-date product when the production line is fully unveiled. I mean look at the entire iPhone and iPod fiasco that Apple instigated where people were outraged.
Its also their fault for paying the premium price and not waiting for something better or cheaper to be unveiled.
J.Crew 10:36AM (11/04/2007)
The 4spd will be dropped in the spring for a 6spd auto with 4 cyl, this is not a long time and they have openly admitted that this will happen. Customers buying the car a fully aware of what they are buying and if they truely cared they would wait as this info is widely available online. I would rather have GM get it right and take their time instead of rushing something and have quality issues at launch like Toyota has had with their transmissions... refer to consumer reports if you need proof.
MikeW 12:33PM (11/04/2007)
The thing about screwing, is they [the screwee] won't realize it until it is too late. Hey Bob is that the new Malibu? Yes Jim. How does that 6 speed automatic drive? I don't know, I have an obsolete 4 speed automatic. Sorry to hear that...
GM launched the Pontiac G6 with only a V6, why not the malibu? Is GM trying to get rid of the old 4 speed automatics, why not just use them all up with the cobalt/g5.
GM even said they expect 70% of sales to four cylinder models. There is nothing wrong with waiting to launch the 2.4 in the spring. The people who want it first are probably going to get the loaded ones anyway.
And if people don't remember the Macintosh IIvx and Centris 610, that is their problem when they wait in line for days for the iPhone.
Something about a reality distortion field...
why not the LS2/LS7? 1:56PM (11/04/2007)
Maestro1:
What iPod fiasco? That was only iPhone.
This car must be launched now, they can't wait for the 6-speed tranny for 4-cylinder cars. They'll ship the other transmission/engine combo when it's ready, that's a wise way to do it.
The current Mercedes E-class was launched with one transmission and switched to another in under a year. It's business.
Maestro1 4:20PM (11/04/2007)
@ LS2/LS7
Its the iPod Touch (the one which looks like an iPhone too) i'm referring to because they cut that in price also and they reported in the news that they got rid of the lower GB model after a while and people got pissed at that because the higher GB model was then available for the same price as the lower GB model was previously.