Holden Malibu scratched from Australian line-up

Holden has confirmed it will kill off the Malibu sedan within months after a poor sales take-up.

The Malibu, which in turn replaced the un-loved Epica in Holden’s line-up in 2013, will essentially be superseded by the new German-built 2018 Commodore, Holden’s executive sales director Peter Keley confirmed to motoring.com.au this week.

Speaking at a prototype drive of the 2018 Commodore at Holden’s top secret Victorian proving ground, Keley said Holden would sell off remaining Malibu stock before discontinuing the languishing, Korean-built model altogether.

“Malibu will be phased out of the range,” Keley said.

“At the end of the day we want to focus on fewer products and focus the energy and resources onto selling a group of higher volume products. Malibu filled its position within the range but it’s time to move on.

“We’ll sell the vehicle out progressively for the balance of this year and early next year.”

The Malibu cull is no great surprise given it and the Opel Insignia-based Commodore share many of the same key points.

Holden’s decision to axe the Malibu is vindicated by the latest sales results. The manufacturer has shifted just 680 cars so far this year – about one-third of the rivalling Toyota Camry’s typical monthly trade.