GM to discontinue mild hybrid Malibu, Vue, Aura for 2010 model year
2009 Chevrolet Malibu hybrid - click above for high res image gallery
It's being reported that among the models that General Motors has decided to discontinue going into the 2010 model year are its existing mild hybrids. The Chevy Malibu, and Saturn Aura and Vue have been available with GM's belt-alternator-starter (BAS) system since 2007 but have never sold in any significant volumes. The system primarily provided automatic start stop functionality with a little bit of electric boost and regeneration. The system was limited by a weak motor and 36V battery system.
We checked with GM's hybrid spokesman Brian Corbett about the status of the mild hybrids. Corbett told ABG that currently there are no plans for retail sales of any of the mild hybrid models.
"There will be some MY2010 production. We will fulfill some MY2010 fleet orders for the Malibu Hybrid. As part of the Memorandum of Understanding between GM and Penske Automotive Group, Saturn plans to offer the Aura, Vue and Outlook models in 2010. Specific details of which versions (i.e. hybrids) has not yet been determined. "At the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, GM announced a more powerful second generation BAS using a lithium ion battery. The second generation BAS wlll debut in 2011 and should provide a more significant increase in mileage over conventional models, hopefully attracting more customers. GM sent AutoblogGreen a statement on the Malibu's discontinuation (reason: "elevated inventory levels of the 2009 model"). Read it after the jump.
Gallery: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu hybrid
[Source: GM, All Cars Electric]
Photos Copyright ©2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
GM STATEMENT:
Production of the 2010 Malibu Hybrid model is being suspended due to elevated inventory levels of the 2009 model.
The inventory levels of the 2009 Malibu Hybrid will provide adequate product in the marketplace. This decision will have no implication on other 2010 Malibu offerings or Chevrolet hybrids.
Please know service for 2008-2009 Malibu Hybrid vehicles will not be an issue due to an adequate supply of batteries obtained by General Motors. The hybrid system components continue to be covered by an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty and all current and future Chevrolet customers will receive the usual service maintenance on remaining Malibu Hybrids.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kumar 11:33AM (6/11/2009)
Hopefully the new GM, or Ford, or whoever, decides to give us start/stop systems like the rest of the world is already using.
My money would be with Ford, since they were ahead of the curve in giving an AWD option across the model lines.
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Petr Buben 11:35AM (6/11/2009)
GM killing their hybrids? .. sound like a sound defeat .. .wait, the oil, the maximum oil and gas needs to be sold ..... GM killing electric again !
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Mike 2:20PM (6/11/2009)
Actually, GM is not killing their hybrids. They just have too many in inventory that they do not need to produce any more at the current time. As stated, in MY2011 they will produce the 2nd gen of their mild hybrids. My guess is that the consumer won't notice a difference, unless there is a rush on Malibu hybrids.
Petr Buben 3:11PM (6/11/2009)
ok, ... thanks. well if GM 09 mild hybrids are not selling well, maybe they should make them better ? - for example, if they have "weak motor", put it stronger one - and/or sell them at lower price, - but not discontinue them. .. stop start system is nothing but benefitial .................. now where is GM Volt?? ... by the way, Chevy Malibu is really good looking car.
Mike 3:58PM (6/11/2009)
100% agreed!
Wolfman 12:03AM (6/13/2009)
Not defeat. BAS was a non-competitive joke of a system with dubious mileage gains at best since day one. My folks have two the Saturn Vues with the Honda V6, and can easily touch 35 mpg out of their vehicles on pure highway trips when driving for economy. I used to own a Ford Escape Hybrid, which was the "hybird" Vues closest competitor, and could squeeze 40 mpg out of mine. BAS simply cannot compete with even well designed conventional engine/transmission combinations, let alone a proper full hybrid system. I was anxiously awaiting two mode, but that has since been shelved for now.
I have always asserted that BAS should have been marketed as a standard feature item across the entire lineup, as the next step forward in conventional autombile electrical systems, and simply advertise that all new GM vehicles now have idle stop capability.
paulwesterberg 11:50AM (6/11/2009)
2004 chevy malibu 2.2L Ecotec engine: 24/34mpg
2009 chevy malibu hybrid with I4 engine: 26/34mpg
This vehicle was designed to take advantage of federal hybrid tax credits for hybrids, not to improve mileage.
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Dave 12:01PM (6/11/2009)
"This vehicle was designed to take advantage of federal hybrid tax credits for hybrids, not to improve mileage. "
It was designed before GM developed the six speed transmission. It offered a significant improvement over the drivetrains that GM had at the time.
With a six speed transmission and direct injetion, GM can now offer better mpg than their original hybrid system. Adding the updated mild hybrid system to that combo should yield solid bang for the buck in fuel economy.
MikeW 12:25PM (6/11/2009)
The window sticker number procedure has changed.
paulwesterberg 12:19PM (6/11/2009)
Really? 2mpg improvement is solid? Something that people would pay thousands extra for?
I am willing to pay extra for better fuel mileage, but 2mpg is not very enticing especially given the additional cost and complexity of the system.
When I upgraded my last vehicle I nearly doubled my fuel mileage by buying a prius.
Dave 4:53PM (6/11/2009)
You are comparing two very different vehicles and two different engines.
The 2004 Malibu was smaller, lighter, and less powerful than the 2009.
Yes. People will definitely pay more for a car that is bigger and faster and still gets better gas mileage.
paulwesterberg 5:40PM (6/11/2009)
Yea millions of people all over the country just cant wait to pay thousands more to get an additional 2mpg. That's why gm is selling so many vehicles.
btw total volume:
2009 malibu: 112.1cuft
2004 malibu: 116 cuft
2010 prius: 115.3cuft
gorr 2:43PM (6/11/2009)
I said to stop any car expenditure toward gm and any subsidies too, only their shareholders or any new shareholder should be allowed to lose his money in this old outdated criminal petrol reseller. Millions of humans and half the air and water and many many customer wallet have been ruin in vain to push these stupid box forward. Toyota, ford, chrysler, formula one, caterpillar, ferrari, aston-martin, volks, tata, nascar, us army, japan, usa, canada, lawn boy, bic lighters, coleman camping products, yardman, exxon, europe, china, ussr, india, honda, yamaha, suzuki, daihashu, peugeot, fiat, lockheed, boeing, tony karts should dissapeer too in the next year or 2. No more subsidies to incompetant that argue with me since long time ago.
You want it simple then check their goverment relations, only subsidies for false products and services is allowed. We pay the cars and 'energy' with forced deals only, it's only taxation from heavy depressed folks. Just competitive free economy works. They killed many many new players with their tax money. The more you pay tax, the more they kill you after, like the wtc explosion by high financial circles, the same folks working on corn ethanol.
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MjfPage 2:38AM (6/12/2009)
How about GM makes a REAL Malibu hybrid? If they don't have the tech, license it from Ford's new Fusion/Milan models (similar to Nissan borrowing hybrid tech from Toyota for their Altima). In 2009/2010 model years, a mild hybrid achieving 2-4 mpg extra than the standard 4 banger is a joke. I'm skeptical that their updated BAS will produce any significant benefits.
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jpm100 6:34AM (6/12/2009)
The Fusion is not in the same vehicle class as the Malibu and I don't see a Taurus Hybrid yet.
jpm100 6:36AM (6/12/2009)
I stand corrected, they do have one. But its a mild system like the one GM is updating.
Chris M 2:48AM (6/13/2009)
jpm100: The Ford Fusion Hybrid is a full hybrid.,like the Escape Hybrid and the Toyota Prius. It replaces the transmission with two motor/generators and a planetary gearset, giving it an electronic CVT, full regen, and the ability to run on battery only, IC engine only, or both. It also gets better fuel economy than the Malibu "sort-of" hybrid.
colinhowe 7:12AM (6/12/2009)
Figured it wouldn't take long for the GM bashers to find something to complain about here.
On the same day that Autoblog reviews a GM SUV that gets 30 mpg, people are upset because GM is stopping production of an old generation hybrid.
And RIF, it didn't cost "thousands more". In fact, it was nearly the same price as the 4 cyl model.
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Kentuckian 8:41AM (7/14/2009)
I can't speak for the Malibu. But I do have a '09 Saturn Vue with the BAS system. I routinely get 32-33MPG across mutliple tanks of fuel driving between Kentucky and Michigan (a biweekly trip for me). My normal commuting mileage ~75% HWY ~25% city, I'm getting 30. I find that pretty respectable for an SUV.
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