Kansas City Plant Happy with News of the Malibu Hybrid
Following in the tire tracks of Honda's Accord Hybrid, as well as the Nissan Altima Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid, all mainstream midsize sedans that have been announced for production, Chevrolet will rework its midsize Malibu with a hybrid-electric powertrain.
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| GM has announced that a hybrid Malibu is on the way, but don't hold your breath as it won't arrive before 2007. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
Don't expect it this year or next, as Chevy won't be bringing it to market until the 2007 or even the 2008 model year, unlike its new hybrid pickup that comes out this year.
The announcement shouldn't be news, however, as GM stated earlier this year in January a hybrid Malibu would be coming. The formal decision to build it was announced Thursday.
"This is making us viable for the future with a new and exciting product," commented Fairfax plant manager Paul Marr.
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| Unlike the Malibu there won't be a long wait for GM's new hybrid pickup, which hits the market this month. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
The Kansas City, Kansas facility currently builds the Malibu sedan and Malibu Maxx 5-door.
"It's important to the plant," Marr added. "It's important to the work force. It's important to the community."
It seems that Kansas City is becoming a hotbed of hybrid productivity, with the Malibu being the second HEV to be built in the area now that production of Ford's Escape Hybrid SUV is already well underway at its Claycomo plant.