The 2008 Chevy Malibu has already taken home some prestigious hardware in the form of the 2008 North American Car of the Year award, and now it seems to be winning over midsize car buyers in an important metric. The Malibu has attracted so many vehicle prospects that, according to compete.com, it has been the most shopped midsize vehicle in the U.S. three months in a row. The Bu's accomplishment is the first time a domestic automaker has ever lead this metric in the hotly contested midsize segment, dusting domestic competition like the Ford Fusion by a 5 to 1 ratio.
Over 236,000 shopped the Malibu in December alone, which is a 247% increase over October, and more than twice the shopping rate than the all new 2008 Honda Accord. The Accord is still winning the actual sales battle at dealerships, and the data shows that nearly 80% of Malibu shoppers are just browsers, as opposed to just over 50% for the Accord. Consider the fact that Chevy's midsize sedan has twice the shopping traffic of the Accord, however, and the Malibu is still attracting a truck load of engaged shoppers. The 2008 Chevy Malibu may be somewhat of an unproven horse in this sales race, but the early data shows that GM has piqued the interest of buyers. Thanks for the tip, Mike!
[Source: Seekingalpha]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
3seriesisking @ Feb 28th 2008 12:59PM
Because it's a damn good car. GM and Chevy really came a long way with this one. I've said it before and I'll say it again, if I were in the market for a mid-size, I'd be picking the Malibu hands down.
Victor @ Feb 28th 2008 2:46PM
Look at the Chrysler 300C when it first came out versus all the utterly horrible vehicles that came out after. Anyone can pull off a success once What GM needs to do now is do this repeatedly, consistently and across the board. It needs to show that it's not a one-trick pony. This is what the Japanese did, and it only took them about 20 years to win hearts and minds of the American auto consumer.
FThorn @ Feb 28th 2008 1:02PM
Okay, I like to evaluate cars. And I was actually DISAPPOINTED with the Malibu. Sure, it's better, but still .....I dunno, just did not do it for me.
3cubed minus 3squared plus1 @ Feb 28th 2008 1:29PM
My only real grudge with it is that its long but narrow. Its really close to length with the Impala and is better looking, but feels more cramped.
Larry @ Feb 28th 2008 1:52PM
Because it is being compared to numerous dated, pathetic, ordinary cars, so, it may be the best of a horrid lot? May be a good vehicle, but it still looks "fleet" to me. Must say, though, the top model interior was very nice. Remember the 1964?
tbss_in_the_D @ Feb 28th 2008 1:04PM
Cheers!
Mr. Oak @ Feb 28th 2008 1:05PM
When is the 4 Cyl. 6sp Auto due? That can't hurt.
Note: to GM, you need to be working on a "Baby 'BU" = Cobalt.
That's a car that would give the imports fits.
MikeW @ Feb 28th 2008 1:52PM
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison_test/sedans/the_buzzard_and_baloney_brigade_comparison_test+page-6.html
http://www.caranddriver.com/content/download/91979/1180288/version/1/file/The+Buzzard-and-Baloney+Brigade+-+Powertrain.pdf
Grippier 215/55 17 tires + 6 speed auto, and the Malibu would do better.
http://www.caranddriver.com/content/download/91980/1180291/version/1/file/The+Buzzard-and-Baloney+Brigade+-+Chassis.pdf
Polly Prissy Pants @ Feb 28th 2008 1:05PM
Given a viable choice, Americans will buy American products. I don't know how many people I know who really want to support American companies but have had to make the hard to choice to buy foreign in the past. They are coming back to GM in droves.
Tool @ Feb 28th 2008 1:08PM
This is great news for the General and shows that if you bring out a world-class product and price it competitively that people you will give a chance.
GM has handled the introduction of the new Malibu beautifully and its good to see that it is getting traction in the marketplace.
mike @ Feb 28th 2008 1:10PM
How sad is it. When the new Malibu came out everyone said GREAT, this will force Camry, Accord, Altima, and Hyundai to become even better. Everyone will benefit. These cars are some of the best vehicles on the road, they provide safety, fuel economy, roominess, comfort and much, much more. So if a new challenger enters the field only the consumer wins. Normal people see any additional competition as a positive thing. I personally think it is great. Honda better make sure that next Accord has something that will make it standout from the pack, like better MPGs or lower price. Each comply will attempt to make a far better vehicle than competition.
The pickup crowd has not been so open-minded.
Enter domestic fan boys. The have done everything to badmouth Tundra and Ridgeline, calling them ugly but when domestic pickups are called that their first line of defense is no one buys a truck for its looks. They call say it has cheap interior….and yet they do not mind driving a Dodge. They say these cars and technologically behind….and yet they do not mind the Ford Ranger.
How sad it is to be a domestic fan boy.
alex @ Feb 28th 2008 7:03PM
maybe they aren't fanboys. maybe they are simply people who have legit reasons to think that the F150 and Silverado are better trucks. Reasons such as this comparo video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zShwG9l1F0Q
the bed of the tundra looks like it's going to snap right off and do a barrel roll off the side of the track
Christian Stevens @ Feb 28th 2008 1:12PM
I'm suprised that the Fusion is so unpopular...its just as exciting/boring as any of the other options on this list.
John R @ Feb 28th 2008 1:35PM
Its not really surprising. I've driven the 4-cyl versions of the '07 Accord, Fusion, Altima and Mazda 6.
Compared to the others its not a satisfying drive. Its weird that the Fusion wasn't at least as good as the Mazda 6 as they are related, but the Mazda's driving dynamics and the interior were better.
f650 @ Feb 28th 2008 1:15PM
Well it IS the only brand-new model to have been released in that time frame, it's not much of a surprise to be the 'most shopped'.
C.W. @ Feb 28th 2008 1:20PM
Um...Exactly when do you think the new Accord came out?
f650 @ Feb 28th 2008 1:37PM
Um, probably where the 'accord' line on the chart bubbles. The Malibu has been released for what, 2 months as compared to the accords 6 months?
Read the article about the Tundra winning the Farmer's truck of the year a few posts down and how is most likely did because it was a new model and generated the most buzz.
All the 'shoppers' are probably Cletus the slack-jawed yockle who heard that Chevy finally learned how to make a car. It's getting huge number of being 'shopped', but apparently only 20% buy the car as opposed to 50% of accord shoppers. Why is that? Just window shoppers? Still not 'up to par'? It's great that it's getting shopped like crazy, but the sales numbers are what's important.
Seminole @ Feb 28th 2008 4:16PM
Do research before you run off your mouth...
The 08 Accord came out in mid-September. The 08 Malibu came out November 1st. They are only separated by a month and a half at most. Thats the same time frame buddy... The Malibu's interest doubled in the two months before it was even released, while the Accord went down a month after it came out.
John R @ Feb 29th 2008 7:10AM
True, Seminole, but you have to admit GM ran a more ambitious ad campaign. For every Accord ad I've seen in print or on television I must have seen 4 Malibu related adverts.
Nothing wrong with that, GM has something to prove. Honda on the other hand knows they'll have repeat customers so they probably thought it best not to spend as much on adverts.
Not what I would have done, though. I would have advertise the hell out of the cylinder deactivation feature in the V6.
Stealth E34 @ Feb 28th 2008 1:16PM
As a 20-year old soon to graduate from university, GM has really lured me with the new Malibu. I sat in one at the Canadian International Auto Show and was blown away by the interior and overall look. Gorgeous!
If GM would release a 2-door version of the Malibu with a 6-speed (drop the CTS' 304hp motor in it) I would be their first customer. I know GM could give the Accord Coupe a run for the money. I don't think it would step on the new Camaro and would get better gas mileage. (Pretty please?)
If not, I at least hope that GM is putting as much effort into the next Cobalt as they did the Malibu because I am very interested. I am loving the new 2008 Cobalt SS with the 260hp motor, and I really like the HHR SS - the HHR is probably the most practical potential buy for me given its size. Overall I think GM is doing a great job. If not for the fuel consumption, I'd definitely take a look at the Pontiac G8 GT. WOW!