The latest plan includes terminating the Oldsmobile brand, and focusing marketing efforts on the Chevrolet, Pontiac and other lines, rather than, as in the past, focusing on specific automobile or truck models.

The new Chevy Malibu is GM’s effort to compete with its Japanese rivals.

Instead of concentrating on marketing fixes, they should work at changing their engineering and production culture with the goal of producing vehicles that equal or exceed the quality, reliability, durability and driving feel of the vehicles produced by their competition — the competition that is eating their lunch in the marketplace.

That is not to say that many of GM’s cars are bad cars; they’re not. They perform the function of transporting individuals or families in reasonable comfort and safety. What they do not appear to do as well as the competition is provide a pleasant driving feel, refinement in the drive line, and in some cases the long-haul durability of systems and components.

GM’s bread-and-butter division, Chevrolet, produces the 2001 Malibu as its middle-of-the-road bread-and-butter car. This is a competent automobile. It does everything reasonably well. It does nothing superlatively. The Malibu, along with the Oldsmobile Alero, is probably GM’s best effort so far to compete with its Japanese rivals.

The Malibu is actually quite a looker with modern outside lines and a crisp appearance. The inside, although a little cheap looking, is quite pleasant and comfortable, with ample room for five people and convenient storage places, including very usable cupholders. The trunk is large and can take two full-size suitcases with additional space for other smaller bags.

The Malibu is equipped with a 3.1 liter V-6, 170 hp, 12-valve engine, which drives a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive and a front-wheel final drive system. This is not a state-of-the-art engine, but it performs quite well, and provides surprisingly brisk acceleration, allowing for easy passing on the highway. Overall, however, the engine is not as refined, smooth and quiet as the Japanese and German competition with their 24-valve, overhead camshaft engines.

On the road, the steering feels heavy and remote, and straight line driving needs some attention. The suspension feels unsophisticated over rough terrain, but otherwise offers a pleasant, comfortable ride on smoother roads. The handling is safe and predictable. The brakes are adequate, although some pulsation was felt through the brake pedal during a road test.

One of GM’s better ideas is the excellent fuel consumption from its V-6 engines. This one is no exception, turning in 21 to 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway at speeds of 70 to 75 mph. EPA estimates are 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The Malibu takes regular gas, an important point in today’s pricey fuel environment.

For a base price of $17,150 this car is very well equipped with air, antilock brakes, auto headlamps, power windows, power trunk release, power door locks, dual power mirrors, and tilt steering wheel. Options include a keyless remote entry system for $150, a CD radio upgrade for $320, split folding rear seats for $195, cruise control for $240, and cast aluminum wheels for $310. A preferred equipment group is available with a number of these options grouped: dual power mirrors, reading lights, power windows, AM/FM stereo with cassette, floor mats and cruise control, all for $995.

The LS version has a sticker price at $19,410 and includes cruise control, six-way power driver’s seat, split folding rear seat, fog lights and cast aluminum wheels. Options include a power sun roof for $695, leather seats for $595, and a rear spoiler for $175.

It is unfortunate for GM, but good for consumers that they have to offer incentives to move this car. The current $1,500 incentive in California makes it a real value considering the generous amount of included standard equipment.

You get a number of features for the money, quite suitable for a small family, and buying one will help keep our domestic auto industry healthy. If you would like to road test one, you can rent from Avis or National for a day or two, or check one out at one of the many Chevrolet dealers in the San Diego area.

Motoring since 1952, Austin Lynas has owned 54 cars and at one time raced mini-sedans in England. An aerospace engineer, he was instrumental in developing the anti-skid systems used in British military aircraft that preceded today’s ABS systems. Lynas can be reached by e-mail at osten@aol.com.