Study: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu stealing sales from foreign makes

Posted Wed Apr 30 2008 9:45 AM by James Martinez

If GM has any hope of regaining its title of world’s biggest carmaker from Toyota its vehicles must not only sell well but they should also regain market share lost to rivals. Until recently, consumers rarely cross-shopped between GM and Toyota but as the quality and reliability of GM products started to catch up with their Japanese rivals now more than ever are consumers trading in their foreign makes for Detroit 3 metal.

No car has been more successful for GM at stealing sales from foreign makes than the new Chevrolet Malibu. According to a new J.D. Power and Associates study, close to a fifth (19.8%) of trade-ins for the Malibu were from import brands – an increase from the 12.5% of last year’s previous generation model. According to the results, 9.7% of trade-ins were a Honda, Toyota or Nissan.

Overall, the Malibu was ranked in the study as the 17th most popular vehicle in the U.S. for the first three months of the year and the fifth best-selling midsize sedan.

The following is a list of trade-in percentages for the Chevrolet Malibu:

Chevrolet - 41.5%

Ford - 8.2%

Pontiac - 5.4%

Dodge - 4.6%

Buick - 4.1%

Nissan - 3.4%

Toyota - 3.4%

Chrysler - 2.9%

Oldsmobile - 2.8%

Honda - 2.7%

GMC - 2.3%

Hyundai - 1.9%

Reader Comments

Wed Apr 30 2008 9:53 AM
Gojira says

The pendulum had to swing back the other way sooner or later. Toyota better watch out.
Wed Apr 30 2008 10:32 AM
Gus says

Is that Malibu really that good? I've seen one and it just looks like a normal car...
Wed Apr 30 2008 10:42 AM
MyWheelsOnWalls.com says

It really is Gus. You now buy a GM product without the same grey switches in every single brand they sell.
Wed Apr 30 2008 11:08 AM
Stephen says

If we're going by that list then only 11.4% of the trade-ins for that car come from import brands not 19.8% like the article says. Also a very clear majority is coming from within their own brand and from Ford. This doesn't show they've improved in quality at all. In fact Ford is the only American brand that is actually on the verge of employing six-sigma production process in their quality control.
Wed Apr 30 2008 11:21 AM
admin says

The list only contains the 12 highest percentages for trade-ins, not every brand. The statement on quality refers to previous studies that show GM and Ford are close to Japanese brands in quality and reliability.
Wed Apr 30 2008 3:12 PM
Paulbe says

This is the first American car in many years that I would want to buy based on appearance alone. It looks handsome, substantial, even characterful. compared to its Japanese rivals. America had nearly forgotten how to do this with design over the past 25-30 years.
Wed Apr 30 2008 8:19 PM
Craig S says

I'm still sceptical. Any brand can advertise and say what they like, just because they say it doesn't mean its true. I'll believe this car is so much better when it still looks decent, not too many rattles, paint doesn't look ten years old and its been reliable after 4 years.

GM has produced too many sub par vehicles for me to trust this just yet.
Thu May 1 2008 6:44 AM
Apex Alex says

i'd be MOST CURIOUS about how many conquest sales HYUNDAI grabbed away from Chevy!!?

until someone can provide actual figures, i'd presume it is SEVERAL TIMES more than 1.9%!
Thu May 1 2008 11:58 AM
chris says

Gus; its a pretty solid car. the 6 speed is nice (though I think it hangs longer than the ford 6 speed) and the ride is pretty good. driving feel is really good too cause it feels much smaller than it really is... if I were in the market for a midsize, at this time, I'd probably jump to GM for it.

Stephen: correction, Ford IS the only american brand that uses six sigma, and it must be stated that they are the ONLY car company using 6 sigma. some would argue that TPS is better, but I say if it's good enough for the american military, then its gotta be good enough for ford.

Apex; who cares? how many people shop at target and walmart? a significant price difference can make a really big difference in what people buy. remember, probably 90% of the driving population doesnt give a damn about the car they drive. they just want something cheap, and that works. even a new hyundai is better than just about every 10 year old car. cause you can be certain that that thing wont break down for a good 18 months.
Sun May 25 2008 4:46 PM
CarGuy1 says

I just got an 08 Malibu - base model and have to say that it is really nice. A family member just got an 08 Accord LX-P today and the Malibu is actually nicer in many respects. The Mailbu's dash (soft touch) and materials are really above the price point. It handles great too.

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