GM moves 2013 Chevrolet Malibu production ahead four months to 'early 2012'

2013 Chevrolet Malibu teaser pics – Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has been releasing teaser images of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu for the past couple weeks, and now the Detroit-based automaker is talking about the global midsize sedan's production schedule.

The Detroit News reports, citing GM spokesman Dave Darovitz, that the Malibu will begin mass production in early 2012, four months ahead of the original plan. Darovitz adds that the request to speed up the Malibu's timeline came straight from the top, saying, "Mr. Akerson requested we study the program to see if we can move quicker and faster."

The 2013 Malibu will make its world debut next Monday at the Shanghai Motor Show; its Stateside debut will happen shortly thereafter at the New York Auto Show. The major refresh is a huge step for GM, as it will be The General's first global midsize sedan, and the automaker says it will be sold in over 100 countries. In the U.S., the Malibu will be built at GM's Fairfax, Kansas and Detroit-Hamtramck plants.