1998 Chevrolet Malibu
The conception and revival of the Chevrolet Malibu had a very simple explanation.
Chevrolet didn't have a model to compete with the Ford Contour, Honda Accord,
Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and Dodge Stratus. It's a big and lucrative market
and a player the size of Chevrolet has to be in the game the sheer size of its
market is impossible to not recognize. Generating a model that could make the
lineup was not an easy assignment. These are formidable competitors with good
records and have held the top spots in the market for so long already. Chevrolet
would have to hit the proverbial home run if it was to stay in this component
of the midsize game.
The introduction of the 1999 Malibu easily clears the center field fence. The
1998 Malibu comes in two competitively priced models. The base Malibu comes with
a 150 horsepower, 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine. The LS uses a 3.1-liter V6 rated
at 155 horsepower. The V6 is an option for the base car. When talking about the
target audience, these are practical people in their mid -30's to mid 50's,
looking for quality, safety, reliability, durability, and practicality. That's
a something-for-everybody philosophy that a little time behind the wheel reveals
what the Malibu does indeed offer.
