Chevrolet Camaro sales decreased in the United States and increased in Canada during December 2017.
Chevrolet Camaro Sales - December 2017 - United States
In the United States, Chevrolet Camaro deliveries totaled 3,802 units in December 2017, a decrease of about 46 percent compared to 7,000 units sold in December 2016. The results represent the lowest December sales of the Camaro since at least 2010.During the complete 2017 calendar year, Camaro sales decreased about 7 percent to 67,940 units.
| MODEL | DEC 2017 / DEC 2016 | DECEMBER 2017 | DECEMBER 2016 | YTD 2017 / YTD 2016 | YTD 2017 | YTD 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAMARO | -45.69% | 3,802 | 7,000 | -6.55% | 67,940 | 72,705 |
Chevrolet Camaro Sales - December 2017 - Canada
In Canada, Chevrolet Camaro deliveries totaled 112 units in December 2017, a decrease of about 15 percent compared to 131 units sold in December 2016.During the complete 2017 calendar year, Camaro sales increased about 9 percent to 2,952 units.
| MODEL | DEC 2017 / DEC 2016 | DECEMBER 2017 | DECEMBER 2016 | YTD 2017 / YTD 2016 | YTD 2017 | YTD 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAMARO | -14.50% | 112 | 131 | +9.01% | 2,952 | 2,708 |
The GM Authority Take
The Camaro’s 45 percent December sales drop pushed it down into third place in its segment in terms of overall monthly sales volume. By comparison, Ford Mustang sales gained 9.2 percent to 7,714 units while Dodge Challenger sales decreased 14 percent to 4,508 units. So, not only did the Camaro post the biggest sales decrease among its two direct pony car rivals, but it also was outsold at a 2:1 ratio by the Ford Mustang.
We attribute the Camaro’s dismal December sales performance to the high prices of the sixth-generation model, particularly when it comes to entry- and mid-level models. The scenario appears to have pushed price-conscious buyers straight to the lower-priced competition from Ford and Dodge. In addition incentives for the model were not very attractive in December, consisting of:
- A regular national lease offer for the 2018 model (see 2018 Camaro offers for December 2017), and
- 3.9 percent APR financing on 2017 models (see 2017 Camaro offers for December 2017)
Chevrolet is widely expected to refresh the Camaro for the 2019 model year, and the update is expected to bring more affordable models, among other things.
Sales Numbers - Mainstream Two-Door Sports Cars - December 2017 - USA
| MODEL | DEC 17 / DEC 16 | DECEMBER 17 | DECEMBER 16 | YTD 17 / YTD 16 | YTD 17 | YTD 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUSTANG | +9.20% | 7,714 | 7,064 | -22.72% | 81,866 | 105,932 |
| CHALLENGER | -14.25% | 4,508 | 5,257 | +0.16% | 64,537 | 64,433 |
| CAMARO | -45.69% | 3,802 | 7,000 | -6.55% | 67,940 | 72,705 |
| MX-5 MIATA | -32.74% | 493 | 733 | +19.32% | 11,294 | 9,465 |
| 86 | -23.70% | 425 | 557 | -8.19% | 6,846 | 7,457 |
| 370Z | -17.39% | 304 | 368 | -21.97% | 4,614 | 5,913 |
| 124 SPIDER | +14.80% | 287 | 250 | +80.93% | 4,478 | 2,475 |
| BRZ | +38.79% | 297 | 214 | -0.24% | 4,131 | 4,141 |
| TC | -94.12% | 6 | 102 | -97.83% | 203 | 9,336 |
| TOTAL | -17.22% | 17,836 | 21,545 | -12.75% | 245,909 | 281,857 |
The mainstream muscle car segment contracted 17 percent in December and nearly 12 percent for all of 2017.
About Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro is a family of sports cars that includes a two-door coupe and two-door soft-top convertible as well as various performance variants such as SS, 1LE, ZL1 and ZL1 1LE. The legendary nameplate was first introduced in 1966 and went out of production in 2002 as the fourth-gen model. The Camaro was re-introduced in 2009 as an all-new fifth-generation model based on the GM Zeta platform.
The Camaro is currently Chevrolet’s most affordable sports car, slotting below the Chevrolet Corvette. The current model was introduced for the 2016 model year and represents the sixth generation of the Camaro nameplate. The model rides on the GM Alpha platform shared with the Cadillac ATS and Cadillac CTS.
The 2018 Chevy Camaro represents the third model year of the sixth-gen Camaro. An midcycle refresh is expected for the 2019 model year that is said to include freshened front and rear ends as well as a revised trim level structure that would bring about a lower price point, addressing one of the biggest criticisms of the gen six Camaro.
The gen six Chevy Camaro is assembled for global markets by GM U.S.A. at the GM Lansing Grand River plant in Lansing, Michigan, USA.
A camouflaged 2019 Chevrolet Camaro is captured undergoing testing in Colorado
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Camaro December 2016 sales, except as noted
- In the United States, there were 26 selling days in December 2017 and 27 selling days in December 2016
- In Canada, there were 25 selling days in December 2017 and 27 selling days in December 2016
Related News & Info
- GM news
- GM incentives
- Chevrolet incentives
- Chevrolet Camaro incentives
- Chevrolet incentives
- Chevy Camaro information
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Comments
BIG changes are needed if Chevrolet wants the sales crown. The first and most important thing will be reducing the price of entry-level models. The Mustang and Challenger are THOUSDANDS less, not to mention you can get a great lease on a Challenger. One way for Chevrolet to do this would be to remove standard equipment. For example: the 5th Gen Camaro SS did not come with the RS Package as standard equipment. The 6th Gen DOES. The package is a $2,000 option on LT models.
The second thing is something that can’t be fixed in a refresh, and that’s the Camaro’s comical lack of practicality. A tiny trunk, useless rear seats and poor outward visibility are all things you would go into a Lamborghini dealership expecting to find. Compromise for the exotic looks and performance. The Camaro, however, is supposed to be a car the average Joe can enjoy. While it certainly can be done, it’s infinitely more difficult to live with as a daily driver compared to the Mustang and Challenger, for the reasons I mentioned. And considering the Camaro is more expensive, are you really getting your money’s worth? For the average Joe, probably not. The #1, and perhaps ONLY reason, to buy a Camaro over the Mustang and Challenger is its performance. But even that reason may not be good enough now, as the refreshed 2018 Mustang has had numerous improvements, including to its performance. Some reviews have even put it on the same level as the Camaro (well, at least the GT vs. SS).
The best they can do with the refresh is improve its appearance (current one looks alright, but almost looks like a refreshed 5th gen. Not different enough!), improve interior materials, stuff like that. An optional 360-degree camera system would be terrific for parking. If any vehicle needs such a thing, it’s the Camaro. Oh, and lower the base price!
Chevrolet will have to think outside the box for the Camaro’s 7th generation. A completely different design, affordability on the low-end, better practicality, etc. while still maintaining its performance. A better variety in models would be nice, too. Look at all of the Challenger variants. Plenty to choose from, even under $40k, including an AWD variant! Imagine a new Berlinetta with more upscale treatments and more of a grand touring focus. Imagine AWD! I know it’s heresy, but the Challenger GT is unique in that it’s a muscle car that can drive in any weather condition. Also unique, the option of a more powerful engine in a lesser model, in the case of the Challenger R/T Scat Pack. Better advertising wouldn’t hurt, either!
I largely agree with you.
My argument in the past was the Mustang outsells the Camaro because it’s a better value. Offering 90% of the performance for thousands less and, unless you plan to track the car, that’s good enough for enjoying a performance car on public roads. The 2018 Mustang refresh greatly improves the car’s performance. The Mustang actually has a few more horses than the Camaro and allegedly beats it in 0-60 with a sub 4 second speed. The 2018 Mustang is still a couple thousand dollars cheaper. According to American Muscle:
“The Ford Mustang GT starts at around $35,095 for the regular and $39,095 for the Premium Fastback. The Camaro SS costs $37,995 for the 1SS and $42,995 for the 2SS model.”
Source: https://blog.americanmuscle.com/2017/11/16/2018-mustang-gt-vs-2018-camaro-ss/
Performance is more than acceleration so we’ll have to see how the pair stack up head to head in real tests. However, the Mustang now also has an option for magnetic ride so I expect it to have closed the gap in handling as well.
So if the Camaro offers no real advantage in performance and costs a couple thousand dollars more how is GM going to move the metal?
This is when things other than price factor in. The Mustang has better ergonomics, better visibility, better grade interior materials, 48% more trunk space (Fastback), etc. And it only weighs 30 more pounds so the argument you have to bloat the platform and sacrifice performance for more practicality is bunk.
Looking at spy shots of the 2018 Camaro it looks like a very minor refresh. I hope GM rethinks this given the folks at Ford weren’t content to do minor tweaks to the 2018 Mustang. Certainly there’s a lot of things GM can’t fix – like the lousy visibility. But there are a lot of things it can like the terrible center console, horribly positioned instrument cluster, lack of color choices, etc.
The one thing I’ll say is I’m not sure stripping off features to lower the price is the best way to increase the car’s value. I can’t but believe much of the blame is GM is willing to lose many thousands of sales in order to maintain bloated profit margins. Why they’re willing to heavily discount Malibus and Impalas while gouge customers on Camaros is anyone’s guess but it’s becoming clear to me they’re losing a huge pile of cash pursuing this policy.
I suspect 2018 is going to be a rough year for the Camaro. The Mustang has upped their game and is cheaper. As you state the Challenger offers more variety for less. AWD certainly would up the game incorporated into a Camaro. Though I doubt GM would consider AWD for Gen6. So we all hold our breath to see if 2019 brings more than a few minor nips and tucks of the sheet metal for the Camaro.
So you expect the camaro to be bigger in every way which will add weight to the car and still expect it to have better performance as it does now! Is this what I am hearing from you?
Do you want GM to build a family camaro car or a muscle car? Because a camaro is not supposed to be a family car! When are you people going to get this threw your head?
The camaro doesn’t sell as well as the previous model because of cost! Plain and simple! Some people buy with their heart, some people buy with their wallets, some people buy for performance!
When are you going to realize that something has to change with this car and not just the price? Take your Camaro blinders off for one minute and take a realistic view of what is going on with this car! The market, journalists, etc. continue to state what the issues are with this car. But you continue to refute that information based on your own bias. Men lie. Women lie. Numbers don’t.
I realize that if your buying the camaro for the back seat then your buying the wrong car.
I realize that if your buying the camaro for the trunk then you are buying the wrong car.
I realize that if your buying the camaro for the for better outward visablity then your buying the wrong car.
I realize that people have zero idea of how to build the best muscle car.
Now a solution might be to leave the camaro alone and build a monte Carlo type two door car that is much much bigger then the camaro that can take care of the issues you are referring to!
These are only issues if you are buying a camaro and expecting it to be something else! If you buy a camaro to be a muscle car then it fits the bill just fine!
What you don’t realize is that the car as currently configured is losing market share…to a 10 year old Challenger. It can’t continue on in this fashion. It’s obvious that people are much more willing to buy a car with 9/10ths of the performance but with more livability (the Mustang)…like better sight lines, ergonomics and a decent trunk.
By the way thanks for answering the questions I asked. I assumed you pasted that by because answering those questions implies that my points are valid!
Maybe its time for the Camaro to go. I have a 2017 Camaro LT and I love it. It is great. For me. I love the styling, history and power. Its 2 door and it suits me fine. But that being said, The back seats are worthless. I cannot take my parents and friends in the car and drive to the beach like the challenger and mustang can. The Camaro needs more color options: orange, green metallic, brown metallic, maroon, etc…The price point is too high. They need a stripped down base V8 for $29,995 to $ 32,000. The Camaro produces too much emotion. Who cares anymore Camaro or mustang? I don’t. The Challenger sells because of its commercials, (marketing) affordability, and heritage. Plus your wife and friends or kids can jump in the challenger in the back seat and you drive to the beach. Bring back the 2 door Chevelle, 114 inch wheelbase, no visibility issues, full back seat, decent trunk space, and have plenty of engine and color options, and have a stripped, not equipped V8 for $29,995…Then you’ll sell 100,000 of them a year no problem!
I’ll DOUBLE the sales of the Camaro GM, no need to thank…Stop the refresh, abandon everything you’re doing with the new front and rear ends, interior, pricing/trim changes and rumored 470hp…Just do one thing…
Give the SS 500hp…
It’s inevitable both the Camaro and Mustang will get it next generation…Media would have a field day hyping the 500hp Camaro, with all the Camaro buzz even the lower trims would sell better…
GM is to focused on only having 4 platforms to build cars on. This is #1 reason youre going to see design and astetics of the cars eventually start to suffer. I believe we’re seeing this with the Camaro.
How is this a bad thing? Having only 4 car platforms keeps cost down and therefore allows the camaro to be built! Without this approach the camaro would go away again.
Why is it bad? I’ll reference GM in the 80’s, the engineers ran the design. Cars were engineered on only so many platforms (platform sharing) and were rebadged. Design suffered, sales suffered and the cars sucked. Im afraid, unfortunately, we are headed there again.
Cars are seldom straight rebadges anymore. The public is too perceptive of that trick.
Nowadays, they share a common platform with independent hard points. That’s why doors, glass, panels, lights, dashes, and other parts from one car are not interchangeable with another despite them both coming from the same platform.
Also, it’s doesn’t seem like design or sales have suffered because of the practice at all, as EVERY SINGLE MAINSTREAM AUTOMAKER uses platform sharing to leverage costs and to provide a range of different cars, body styles, ride heights, lengths, and widths spun from a single platform.
The fact that you’re referring to manufacturing and product planing lessons from auto manufacturing from the 1980’s tells me you’re not aware how integral platform sharing is to the entire industry.
Quite the opposite as the chief Gen6 design criticism was it looked too much like the Gen5; not that it looked too much like ATS coupe which shares the same platform…
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, buyers are passing on any “car” in favor of CUVs/SUVs in record numbers…
People just need to thank GM that the camaro is still being built! It could be corvette, cts-v and that’s it!