Camaro DNA in Holden's Malibu

Holden today released a teaser pic of the new Chevrolet Malibu, revealing a tail light styling cue shared with the company's Camaro coupe.

The picture is GM's opening shot in a PR fusillade aimed at promoting the new mid-size car, which the corporation plans to sell in as many as 100 markets around the world.

"The Malibu will play an important role within the Holden line-up, providing a spacious and efficient four-cylinder alternative for Australian customers," said Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Mike Devereux. "Malibu will bridge the gap between our incredibly successful Cruze small car and Australia's favourite car, the best-selling Commodore.

"It will be a standout on the road, with striking styling in the same vein as recent additions to the GM portfolio, including the new-generation Barina and Cruze hatch. Like the Holden Cruze, Malibu will surprise customers with its array of clever technologies and features."

'Malibu' is a name already well known in the USA, where it's a badge worn by a current mid-sized, front-drive Chev that has been well received by the locals, but the vehicle that will make its debut in China next month, at the Shanghai Auto Show, is a new-generation model. Today's announcement confirms what had been suspected for some time: that Holden's replacement for the Epica would be the new-gen Malibu -- in name also.

Holden will introduce the Malibu to Australia next year, but Aussie enthusiasts will be very familiar with the new model a long time before then. GM plans for the Chevy version to be thrust into the limelight on Facebook, coinciding with its debut in China on Tuesday April 19, at 10:30 AM local time. Staff will host a live chat session on the social media site at http://www.facebook.com/chevrolet; and the Malibu can be found on Twitter using the hash tag #malibureveal.

Subsequent to the Chinese debut, the Malibu, which is planned to go on sale in markets throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa, will put in an appearance at the New York International Auto Show from April 23.