The news that the Chevrolet Camaro beat the Ford Mustang in June sales is being heralded by GM as some sort of breakthough, a triumph of good product over weak sales.
To some degree, GM has it right. The new Camaro is a compelling product and deserves some credit for getting buyers to pry open their wallets during one of the worst recessions of all time.
But let's face it, the Camaro hype machine has been running overtime for years now. From concept cars to movie cars to prototypes in the desert, the Camaro has enjoyed so much advanced publicity that anything less than a sell out would have been catastrophic.
To call a victory for the Camaro in the pony car war at this point seems a little premature. Let's wait until the early adopters get their cars and then see how sales pan out. Right now the overabundance of SS models being sold suggests that most of the buyers are true enthusiasts, but as we all know, it's the V6 models that end up carrying cars like the Camaro and the Mustang. We'll see how long that lasts.
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blueguydotcom says:
07:21 AM, 07/ 2/09
Check back in 2 years. If the Camaro is still selling well it's a hit. I think it's infinitely better looking than the mustang but I don't see myself ever going down that path for a car.
throwback says:
07:28 AM, 07/ 2/09
I would say check back next year. There is a large pent up demand for the Camaro, but remember the reason GM killed the last Camaro. Poor Sales!
dougtheeng says:
08:13 AM, 07/ 2/09
All three of the new muscle cars have interesting and appealing features. Its a good time to be in the market for such a vehicle.
wjtinatl says:
08:40 AM, 07/ 2/09
Will be interesting to see what happens once the initial hype and hysteria dies out. Local Chevy dealers are asking 5-10k over sticker for in stock and stating the order banks are full so no discussion on special orders. Also, the new Camaro has a few issues around seating position (no headroom) and trunk access that seem like they'd be a pain to live with long-term. If Camaro's start to show up on used car lots in 6-9 months, I think we'll know GM has another short-term success on their hands. Funny how much crap and grief Ford gets for the Mustang's live axle, smaller motor, interior styling and quality (pre 2010), but they keep selling them and making them better every year. Mustang and Corvette must be the two longest running continual nameplates in all of autodom!
billt9 says:
09:40 AM, 07/ 2/09
No doubt the Camaro will own the market with the commoner crowd.
Camaro V6 auto: 18/29 mpg, 22 combined.
Mustang V6 auto: 16/24 mpg, 19 mpg combined.
That's completely no contest. bigger car, better on gas, more power and slightly faster. The Camaro wins on everything.
Why does the Mustang suck gas like mad? It's a tiny car. It's not even as sporty as a 370Z.
throwback says:
09:46 AM, 07/ 2/09
The Mustang V6 has 2 things going against it. The V6 is old, and it runs a 5 speed auto and manual. The 'Stang will get a the 3.7L V6 from the Flex for MY 2011 which should improve performance and mileage.
stovt001 says:
09:54 AM, 07/ 2/09
I'll still be waiting for another 4 years or so until I can get a used convertible SS. As long as they can make the 'verts in a few years, I'm satisfied.
1487 says:
11:53 AM, 07/ 2/09
Way to hate on the Camaro's success. I love that- there was so much hype that anything less than 9k units in a month would've been failure. Nice.
bc1960 says:
12:04 PM, 07/ 2/09
Many people who want to buy Mustangs already own them, because they've been available. If Chevrolet can sustain that volume and particularly that product mix, it will surely help them get back to profitability.
Apparently to the surprise of the editors, a Mustang GT trounced the Camaro SS and Challenger R/T in C&D's recent comparison test of comparably equipped/priced models, despite the horsepower deficit, 5-speed manual, solid axle, simpler suspension and smaller brakes.
wasaabi92 says:
02:40 PM, 07/ 2/09
I dunno ... I'd still take the 'Stang GT. It outlived the first Camaros, and it will outlast this one as well.
hondacura4 says:
02:48 PM, 07/ 2/09
Consistency is key here and that's where the Camaro falls short in terms of overall sales.
Current Camaro sales advantages:
- Camaro is an all new design.
- Lack of availability for 7-8 years.
- Higher demand (for now).
These are obvious advantages the Camaro has over the Mustang in terms of potential sales. Both have potential in generating strong sales.
After the "new" wears off I would look for Camaro sales to drop and stabilize.
jederino says:
11:05 AM, 07/ 7/09
I would give the Camaro its just accolades for now. It's a good car that ups the ante quite a bit. The powertrains are a huge leap, and will demand an answer from the Mustang. Any new design is a risk, and this certainly is no dog. Despite the pooh-pooh talk, it is pulling the numbers, so try to keep a little optimism for a car company trying to deliver more than the basic appliance.