The discontinued Chevy Malibu remained the third best-selling midsize sedan last year.

      Chevrolet

      The Chevrolet Malibu has been a significant presence in the United States for many years. Generations of Americans have experienced riding in and eventually driving the model, which Chevrolet produced from 1964 to 1983 and then again from 1997 to 2024. However, the sedan's revival came to an end last November when General Motors ceased Malibu production. A look back at last year’s sales shows it was still holding its own, ranking as the third-best-selling midsize sedan, which is quite impressive.

      With 117,319 units sold, the Malibu surpassed the Nissan Altima, another rental fleet favorite, which sold 113,898 units. It also significantly outperformed the Hyundai Sonata (69,343) and Kia K5 (46,311), even though both of those models are newer. Regardless of opinions about the Malibu's unremarkable design, the fact remains that it attracted buyers. While many units produced were white and went to Hertz, a sale is still a sale.

      Of course, it lagged considerably behind the leading Toyota Camry, which sold 309,876 units, and the Honda Accord, which managed 162,723 sales even in a tough year due to rework at the Marysville Assembly Plant. These two cars operate in a class of their own, so the Malibu's status as the best among the rest still holds significance.

      We previously reported on the Malibu's discontinuation when it was announced in May 2024. At that point, it was Chevrolet's third-best-selling model after the Silverado and Equinox. However, this was insufficient to save the sedan, as General Motors opted to phase out the Malibu in favor of a new Bolt EV. Details about that vehicle are still limited, but it is expected to be more modern than the Malibu, which had remained relatively unchanged for a long period.

      While I won’t pretend to be overly mournful about the Malibu's end, I do lament the rapid decline of sedans. Despite the significant rise in crossover and SUV sales in the last decade, some consumers still desire them, and I suspect that the market may eventually shift back toward traditional four-door cars that are not elevated. Perhaps I’m mistaken, but ultimately, it doesn't matter. The Malibu is gone, and it could take others down with it.

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