Chevrolet sold its 10 millionth Malibu 51 years after its debut.
Photo: General Motors/AF
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Since its 1964 debut as Chevrolet's first "intermediate" car, the Chevy Malibu has become a traditional fleet staple over 60 years of production. Named after the epicenter of beach culture in 1960s Los Angeles, the Malibu started as the top intermediate trim line car alongside the entry-level Chevelle and the El Camino truck.
The Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu was first introduced in 1964 as Chevy's first "intermediate" car.
Photo: General Motors
After General Motors confirmed to Automotive Fleet that the Malibu is being discontinued in 2024, we wanted to take a look back, with some fun facts about the vehicle, as reported by AF, from over the years:
In 1980, Chevrolet chose the 61st annual convention and trade show sponsored by the International Taxicab Association to introduce an altered version of the Malibu and Impala, representing a "new wave" of domestic passenger vehicles designed explicitly for the taxicab business.
In 2003, professional fleet managers selected the Chevrolet Malibu as the best 2004 model car via an inaugural poll by Automotive Fleet.
The 2009 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ (pictured) was introduced alongside a new version of the base model, the Malibu Hybrid, which featured an electric motor/generator that shut the gasoline engine off when idling.
Photo: General Motors
The Malibu also won Fleet Car of the Year for the 2009, 2010, 2016, and 2020 model years.
Chevrolet sold its 10 millionth Malibu 51 years after its debut, in 2015.
In 2008, Kelly Blue Book awarded the Malibu the "2008 Best Redesigned Vehicle" for taking the essential midsize car category to a new level of overall refinement. The Malibu gained significant recognition that year for its complete redesign.
The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco's belt had a duty life of 75,000 miles and the gas engine displaced 2.4 liters producing 182 horsepower.
Photo: General Motors
According to Chevrolet, the 2013 model-year Chevrolet Malibu Eco was the only all-new 2013 midsize car to receive double safety honors: a 5-star overall vehicle score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and a 2012 Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both were the highest ratings given at the time, with IIHS not introducing its enhanced Top Safety Pick+ designation until the following year.
Experiencing its third redesign in eight model years, fleet customers saw the 2016 Malibu shed 300 lbs compared to the previous model.
In 2019, the Malibu captured the highest crash test score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
What were your favorite features in the Malibu? What memories do you have of the vehicle on your own fleet through the years? Comment below and keep the conversation going.
Ray Breault, a former NAFA president and longtime fleet leader whose career spanned nearly 60 years, died May 1 at age 95. Breault was inducted into the Automotive Fleet Hall of Fame in 2008 and was widely recognized for his contributions to the fleet management profession.
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