Chevrolet aims for tech 'punch' with redesigned Malibu

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PALO ALTO, California -- As the man responsible for advertising Chevrolet automobiles, Steve Majoros understands well how rough it is reached provide something new enough and distinct enough to get buyers' interest.

Particularly in the cutthroat midsize vehicle section.
Notably when the vehicle you are peddling, the Malibu, is a distant also ran in the group, one that is become synonymous with rental-car.
"We want to speak about offering 'first, greatest and just,'" Majoros informed Automotive Information at a media push for the redesigned 2016 Malibu, which started sending to car dealers Tuesday. "That gets tougher and more difficult to do when you've got something like 17 mid-size vehicles in the section."
Being the competition, the Malibu should hit above its weight to be seen in that busy marketplace. Gm is putting a wager that technology is going to be the one that properties, eventually helping the Malibu to breakthrough.
To get a salesperson pitching exactly what the Malibu has that the Toyota Camry or Ford Fusion or Honda-Accord doesn't, the listing begins with technology. It is got a 4G wireless link and Apple CarPlay, equally packaged in a sleek, upgraded infotainment system which has emerged as truly one of the industry's simplest to use.
Teen Driver spits out a report card for parents to find out exactly how many times their children exceeded a pre-set speed-limit.

It is got a attribute called Teenager Driver that disables the sound when the seat belts are not clicked and spits back a a study card for parents to find how many instances their children exceeded a pre-set speed-limit.

Sure, the automobile has more going for it than technology. Chevy has a tale to inform on fuel-economy, layout -- even dependability. But opponents have carved formidable names in every one of these regions.
The Malibu is enveloped in a fine package, to my eye anyhow, with chiseled side panels as well as a smooth, tapered back. But layout is a subjective factor, as well as other midsize competitors (Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima) have produced huge gains on styling lately.
Additionally, it assures solid fuel-economy. General Motors calls the hybrid variant starting this spring may have an EPA evaluation of at least 4-7 mpg in mixed highway and town driving, which may handily defeat the hybrid versions of the Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry and match that of the Honda-Accord. But great fuel economy is now the cost of entry in the mid-size sedan segment.
The Malibu has gently won J.D. Power's honour for first quality on mid-size sedans for two years working. But make an effort to convince a Camry or Accord customer that Chevy has a dependability edge.
The newest Malibu appears to do anything else properly -- its 300-pound fat fall from its forerunner was immediately noticeable on a-drive through this school town, in spite of the much-smaller 1.5-litre, four-cylinder base engine.
But it wants an advantage. Technology could be it.
It's possible for you to reach Mike Colias at [email protected].

Tags:

Layout
Engineering
Chevrolet
Malibu
Redesign
New Merchandise
Site
Mike Colias
Automobiles and Theories

01.12.2015
ID:3330

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