GM Pulls Plug on 2010 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

GM Pulls Plug on 2010 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

DETROIT - General Motors has pulled the plug on the 2010 version of the Chevrolet Malibu hybrid due to slow sales and high inventory levels, the Wall Street Journal reports.

A GM spokesman told the paper the automaker has a "sufficient stock of 2009s" and starting up production in the near future is "possible, but not likely."

The company will continue to make hybrid versions of the Malibu for fleet buyers, but it is uncertain if GM will ever produce the Malibu hybrid for retail consumers ever again, the paper reported.

The Malibu hybrid has failed to capture buyers' attention as it is more expensive and achieves only somewhat better fuel economy. The base Malibu costs $22,300; the hybrid, introduced in 2008, adds $4,000.

Photo by GM

2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

Michelle Krebs:  is Editor-in-Chief of AutoObserver.com. Follow @AutoObserver on Twitter.