2012 Chevrolet Malibu (European version)

The Chevrolet Malibu (named after Malibu, California) is a mid-size car produced by General Motors. The Malibu began as trim-level of the Chevrolet Chevelle, but became its own model line beginning in the 1978 model year. Originally a rear-wheel drive intermediate, GM revived the Malibu nameplate as a front-wheel drive car for 1997.

Traditionally, Malibu was marketed primarily in North America, but GM plans to sell the next model globally. The next generation Malibu will move to the Epsilon II platform and debut in the 2013 model year.[32] The new Malibu will become a global vehicle, replacing both the North American Malibu and GM Korea vehicles currently sold around the world. The Malibu was unveiled as a show car simultaneously at Auto Shanghai in China, and on Facebook, on April 18, 2011.[33][34] It was also shown at the New York International Auto Show in New York City later in April. The production car will launch in January 2012, as a 2013 model in North America.

The Malibu will be offered with four-cylinder engines and six-speed automatic transmissions. It will feature the Chevrolet MyLink touch-based system which connects electronic devices wirelessly and features a storage compartment behind the screen. Standard safety features on the Malibu include dual-stage front airbags for the driver and front passenger, along with pelvic/thorax side-impact and knee airbags up front also. Roof rail airbags with rollover protection will also be standard. Also available as option extras are second-row head/thorax side-impact airbags, lane departure warning system with forward collision alert and a rearview camera system.

The Malibu will be available in "nearly 100 countries on six continents". In the United States, it will be manufactured in two plants, Fairfax, KS and Detroit-Hamtramck.[36]

In Australia, the Malibu will replace the Holden Epica, and debut in 2012 as the Holden Malibu. It will fit between the Holden Cruze and Holden Commodore.[37]

In South Korea, the Malibu replaces the Daewoo Tosca, as GM has phased-out the Daewoo brand in favor of Chevrolet. Korea will be the first market to get the Malibu, in late 2011, followed by China later in 2011 and North America in early 2012.

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