Wild Ass Rumor of the Day: Chevy to Sell Chinese Malibus
A source at GM China has told the China Car Times that the Malibu hybrid will be launched in China on January 22. Not only that, but GM's going to build the Chinese 'Bu in country. Since price is a prime consideration, the 'Bu 'brid will be the "mild" version with its alternator/starter/battery charger thingie, instead of a full-blown two-mode system. However, once GM gears-up their hybrid powertrain production line in the PRC, you can bet they'll offer the whole gas – electric schmeer. Once production begins, I reckon it's only a matter of time before they'll send the Chinese version of The Car You Can't Buy Ignore to American showrooms. Maybe the U.S. market will only receive the Chinese hybrid 'Bu to "test the waters" for wider Chinese exportation. But if GM's planned to build ALL its 'Bu's in China right from the start, it would explain the verrrry slow ramp-up of American Malibu production. It's either that or sheer incompetence. Or both.
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I don't think the Malibu's problem is an incompetent ramp up of production (slow and steady increases, keeping quality high is a good thing). No, the problem is a very poor timing for the massive advertising campaign that accompanied the start of production.
there are plenty of chevy dealers selling new malibus below invoice on ebay.