Did GM Completly F*** Up The Launch Of The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco?

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

Forget the cascade of poor reviews that have apparently hampered the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco; the biggest detriment to the new car’s success might be the outgoing model, and the steep discounts being offered on the 2012 ‘Bu.

Automotive News reports that sales figures for the 2013 Malibu Eco have been dismal compared to the 2012 model.

the Eco has become a sideshow amid torrid sales of the incentive-laden 2012 model. From the March launch through June, GM sold about 7,000 Ecos, compared with about 100,000 of the 2012s.

The discounts on the 2012 model, according to AN can be as high as $6,000. The rest of the 2013 model lineup, including the base 2.5L car and the much-touted 2.oT will roll out starting in August, with high end versions launching in the fall. AN reports that GM CEO Dan Akerson ordered the Malibu Eco to roll out in March, as a means of beating the revised Nissan Altima and Honda Accord to the punch.

Akerson also assumed that strong promotion during the NCAA Basketball finals would help Malibu sales. But how attractive is the idea of a Malibu Eco, at $26,085, when the outgoing model (which doesn’t have the Eco’s compromised trunk, with its “hybrid” components) and $6,000 less, is right next to it in the showroom? A Toyota Camry Hybrid gets much better fuel economy and is $655 more, while a new Nissan Altima, which gets nearly identical fuel economy, is roughly $4,000 less.

The Malibu Eco has become a victim of GM’s own strategy of throwing cash on the hood of vehicles, privileging volume and market share above all else. Whatever the faults of the 2013 car may be, the launch appears to have been successfully torpedoed from within – GM’s competitors didn’t even have to lift a finger.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Da Coyote Da Coyote on Jul 31, 2012

    "... With luck, maybe Obama will ask him to resign also. He should...." Heh, the cretin that should resign is the Obamaloon, who couldn't run a lemonade stand. His pick for GM - as stupid as the pick is - is still quantum levels above the Cretin-in-Chief when it comes to business ability.

  • El scotto El scotto on Jul 31, 2012

    I'll always say the four door family sedan is the toughest segment. By launching the Eco version first, GM didn't give us room to rationalize. They should have launched the SS, normal, and Eco at the same time. Let customers drive all three, then let the rationalizations begin. The SS is sweet, but the Eco will do just fine as DD rationalizations. You don't like the color? Lets walk over to the back lot.

  • George B George B on Jul 31, 2012

    In my opinion the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu suffers from a fatally flawed platform and waiting to get the new engines would not fix too much mass and not enough rear seat leg room. Maybe GM should have let Daewoo design the 2013 Malibu instead.

    • See 1 previous
    • Volts On Fire Volts On Fire on Jul 31, 2012

      @bumpy ii Slight correction - the Malibu replaced the Daewoo Tosca. The Lacetti is what gets rebadged as the Cruze.

  • Chicagoland Chicagoland on Jul 31, 2012

    Wow, when I read this, I worrry for 'New GM' "I would bet that 75% of the Malibu’s are going into rental fleets..." "As soon as the old car stops production, 100% of that old model volume will transfer to the new model..." Great way to to ruin the Malibu's brand image, dumping into fleets and huge discounts to unload them. Adding $6K rebates turns them into tacky 'Blue Light Specials' and true retail customers will buy the higher resale products, instead. The "as soon as..." attitude at GM is still going on. "Just wait for the new models" "Just wait for the new pickup!" "New engines are coming!"

    • TCBRacing TCBRacing on Aug 01, 2012

      "The “as soon as…” attitude at GM is still going on. “Just wait for the new models” “Just wait for the new pickup!” “New engines are coming!”" Every car maker does this, it is not just a GM thing. How else are you supposed to get people excited for your new products?? http://youtu.be/LlsuxF3ew4A

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