“We know the competition is very good,” says Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “This new Malibu has the goods—both tangible and intangible—to assert a leadership position in the segment and reaffirm our commitment to expressive cars.”

Reviewers at Edmunds.com said the Malibu’s design was a bit “bland.” But Chevy seems to be taking its design cues from popular Japanese and European models in the midsize category. The new Malibu’s lines are sleeker and softer than previous models which were boxy and arbitrarily angular—some might say “ugly.”

The design of this latest version of the Malibu suggests that maybe GM is finally starting to “get it.” GM’s Chevrolet brand was established as a reliable, affordable, Everyman’s car. And, until the late 70s—early 80s, Chevy customers needn’t sacrifice styling or quality when buying a new car. But, like other Detroit automobile manufacturers, GM became complacent and took its industry leadership position, and its customers, for granted. Quality and innovation declined precipitously.

It’s been a long difficult road back for GM. Not all of its brands survived the trip. Oldsmobile is gone. Some industry analysts have wondered aloud if Pontiac has any real reason to exist. But new Saturn, Buick, and Cadillac products have earned high marks from customers and critics alike, even in quality and reliability rankings—dominated for decades by Japanese giants. 

“Malibu is the car our customers have been looking for,” says Peper. “There is more style and content on the new Malibu.”

The new Malibu is more than three inches longer than the previous model, with a six-inch-longer wheelbase. These proportions create a wheels-at-the-corners stance that Chevy says facilitates a “smoother, more direct driving experience.”

Engine options include dual-overhead cam four- and six-cylinder engines. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard with the V-6 and will be available later in the model year with a 2.4L four-cylinder. The Malibu Hybrid will employ a unique electric motor/generator mated to a 2.4L four-cylinder engine.

The Malibu’s grille is characteristic of all current Chevrolet cars, with its wide horizontal swipe of chrome, and the twin round taillights are classic Chevy. 

All 2008 Malibu models come standard with GM’s popular OnStar Gen 7, which features advanced automatic crash notification, remote diagnostics, monthly status report and available “Turn-By-Turn” navigation.

The woes of the American auto industry are, by now, legendary. Restating them has become cliché. The good news is that Detroit seems to have gotten the message and has begun producing cars that people want to buy. The bad news for many thousands of workers and dozens of communities across North America is that in restructuring itself to better compete with Japan, Europe, and now South Korea, American car makers have had to drastically reduce their workforces and close manufacturing facilities.

The good news for Kansas City is that our hometown auto plants have survived and appear to be thriving. Ford’s Claycomo plant makes the popular Escape Hybrid, and the GM Fairfax plant is turning out Malibus. KC seems to have fared better than Detroit. And as Detroit’s fortunes improve, perhaps ours will improve even more.