Once again, Chevrolet’s Camaro brought the sales fight to the Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger in June and won for the third straight month. The fifth-generation Camaro has consistently come out on top as the sales king throughout its model lifecycle and will a secure a fifth yearly sales win if it can hold on to its lead for the remainder of 2014.
Chevy sold 7,721 Camaros and Camaro convertibles in June 2013, a 6.7% increase from June of last year, but a slight drop from May 2014’s strong sales of 10,340 units. The Camaro beat the Mustang by 90 units in June, with Ford’s pony car posting sales of 7,631 units. The Mustang’s relatively strong sales numbers are somewhat surprising, considering consumers are aware of the 2015 model which will arrive at dealers later this year. This could be evidence of deep discounts being offered on the outgoing 2014 models, however.
Dodge’s Challenger once again trailed in third in the pony car sales race, with 4,377 units sold in June. A redesigned 2015 model with a heavily revised interior is on its way, so sales may become more competitive as consumers could be holding out for the replacement model, much like in the case of the Mustang.
So far in 2014, Camaro sales have shown strong growth over the same period in 2013. Chevy has sold 46,672 units through to June, a year over year increase of 10.3%. This also puts it ahead by 2,500 units in the sales race with the Mustang. For the Camaro, the hardest part is yet to come as the now somewhat long-in-tooth model may struggle to compete with sales of Ford’s highly anticipated, all-new 2015 Mustang. We know a new Camaro is in the works, but the current car will have to contend with Ford’s brand new model in the meantime.
Comments
I’m a bit scared for that hellcat
The wildcat is nothing to worry about at this point. It will be a high end option and few will be sold. The platform is still very old and will be way behind once the Mustang and Camaro come about. The Wildcat will only come into major play if they can lower the price and bring a competitive platform with the other two cars.
You must remember that not only is the Challenger an old car but it is bases on bits from an even older Benz model. The question is will Fiat understand the car enough to make a proper replacement? They have at least figured our the change to a Cuda name was going to be difficult and will not do that now. Name equity is hard to change mid stream. Fiat will be best serve if they leave this cars decisions to the Americans at Dodge.
We will see a surge in the Mustang soon and it will lead or be close till the new Camaro and I expect Chevy my get the upper hand again at least in the states. Keep in mind the Mustang is now global so it will have a larger market.
But then the problem comes to this. Since right now higher end of Mustang and Challenger is heading about 650-710 hp will Chevy amp up the hp on the next higher end Camaro? And if they do, will they have to amp up the hp figures of the higher end Corvette (ie the Z06 for now) since it wouldn’t make sense for Camaro to have higher hp than Corvette?
The Camaro already out powers the Corvette. Highest output Corvette currently available is the 460HP Stingray w/PE, while the highest output Camaro is the 580HP Camaro ZL1. Chevrolet doesn’t protect the Corvette. If Camaro beats Corvette that’s Corvettes problem.
Guys you have too look big picture again. Stop thinking about what we have now and consider what is coming.
First off who ever said the Z06 is going to be the most powerful Corvette? There is a nasty engine name that has been resurrected call L88 that we have yet to have seen the details on.
Also I expect a lot of weight loss in some special edition Corvette and Camaro models. Less mass is better than more power as it improves performance in three dimensions not just one.
FYI the ZR1 is still for sale and is still considered a current model. Stay Tuned.
I really expect the limit is being reached here and in models like this more power is more for bragging rights as none of these cars can put it all down use it in any way. I think refinement into making the cars more like the Z28 and Mustang Laguna will be the direction they will go. I see the automakers putting the focus more on usability at the limit vs. just adding more power just to get attention. Not only does this make it a better car but it also solves the issues with higher MPG issues coming. You can keep the car fast and a great performer but you do not have to pay the penalty of more HP.
To use this much more power you would need systems that would price the cars out of the segment they are in.
I see it being the whole package soon as being what makes the best car in this class as people no longer just care about smoking tires as they are too expensive to smoke. Make em hook up and launch and you will have a much faster car. Lose weight it will be a much faster car, make it lighter and it will stop much faster.
Anyways the present engine in the ZR1 has been dyno’d to 725 HP and passed the durability and emissions test at that level several years ago. I would assume the present Z06 engine can dial it up even more with no issue if needed. The key is how and were it would fit into GM’s plans and would it be worth the cost just for the publicity.
We also have has Turbo V8 engines being tested. Where that will go is anyone’s guess at this point.
Ro quote Bluto from Animal House, It ain’t over till I say it is over! LOL!
People need to get over their obsession with horsepower. Horsepower doesn’t mean anything when you’re waistline half of it trying to push a heavy ass car. The guys working on the camaro and corvette are not idiots, they’re actually some of the brightest people in the auto industry. Want proof? Ok:
1. Ford claimed over 650 hp( please correct me if I’m wrong about that) at the crank and 500 hp at the wheels, ZR1 only has 638, and makes 505 at the wheels, not to mention the skinny ass tires on the Shelby, the the horrible brakes, suspension, and solid rear axle, not to mention the engine got heat soaked all the time.
2. The Z/28 beating the GTR around the track during Motor Trend’s comparison test
3. The zl1’s lap time around the ring despite being 4100 lbs
The guys at SRT being forced to go back and work on the viper after the ZR1 set the production car record at Mazda raceway Laguna Seca, and even then the Viper TA only had a second or less over the ZR1
Who was it that said the push rod engine was dead? maybe someone at Ford!
All hail the SBC’ can’t wait till they implement cam in cam
VVT, yes Ethel, that is why they moved the coolant pump! This is just he beginning!
Not dead but nearing the limits.
At some point it will end as the emission will kill it like so many other great engines. Also the MPG standards will raise the cost and availability of the V8 in the future. You will be able to get one but you will pa y dearly.
GM needs to make hay while the sun is shinning but they also need to prepare for what is beyond.
I work for a Ford dealer and just test drove a new Mustang. It’s an ugly looking car with a melted over looking rear. The dome looking roof is tacky and has a very Nissan inspired style to it. The front of the car is the best looking part and that’s not saying much as it looks like a juiced up Fusion. I’m not overly impressed at all. The 4 cylinder Ecoboost engine just looks wrong and has less fuel efficiency on the hwy when compared to the 3.6L Camaro engine and only a little better on the streets. From a Ford employee…….Sorry Ford, swing and a miss, this car is just goofy looking and ugly. It lacks any real muscular appeal what so ever.