GM Kills Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Aura Hybrids

Still under the Chapter 11 umbrella, General Motors takes the first decision regarding its product lineup: it will stop making Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura hybrids but will design a new and more advanced system that would provide a better mileage. The news was confirmed by a GM spokesman who also revealed that a new and more fuel efficient powerplant is expected to be incorporated in a whole new model series to be released in the summer of 2010, but avoided to provide clear details on the brands to get them.

While discontinuing Saturn Aura is somehow an understandable decision given the fact that Saturn is now living under the patronage Penske Group, we're still wondering what's with the Chevrolet Malibu, because Chevy is one of the four core brands the American manufacturer will continue to rely on.

theautochannel.com writes that hybrid versions cost more than traditional combustion engines (the average different between them is approximately $4,000), while providing a fuel efficiency improvement of only 4 mpg.

"We've seen a lot of people go for the four-cylinder six-speed," GM spokesman Terry Rhadigan said. "That may have had an impact on why they're (hybrids) plentiful in the marketplace. This is not a departure in any way. We're going to have and continue to introduce hybrids into the marketplace across the GM lineup."

In terms of figures, General Motors sold a total of 706 Malibu hybrids in May and only 35 Auras, according to figures provided by Autodata Corp. However, the American manufacturer will continue the development of hybrid models and promises to own no less than 14 gas-electric hybrid already on sale by the end of 2012.