[THE INVESTOR] GM Korea has started exporting its all-new Malibu midsize sedans built in South Korea to the Middle East, industry sources said on Oct. 5.

The local unit of General Mortors shipped about 900 Malibu units to the region in August and 1,493 vehicles in September, while it expects to export nearly 1,000 Malibus this month.

Last month, GM Korea shipped Malibu sedans to such major Middle Eastern countries as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, where the new model will make its debut during October.



The sources said all of the Malibus to be exported to the Mideast will be manufactured in South Korea.

The all-new Malibu is the ninth generation that GM Korea claims has outstanding designs and best-in-class size and power along with state-of-the-art safety and convenience features.

GM Korea says that the Malibu can appeal to customers with its price starting at around 23 million won (US$20,700). The automaker plans to unveil the hybrid version of the Malibu this year.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)