Chevrolet Camaro sales spiked 25 percent during September, enabling the pony car to outsell its cross-town rival, the Ford Mustang, for the first time in 23 months.
Sales Numbers - Camaro vs. Challenger vs. Mustang Deliveries - September 2016 - United States
| MODEL | SEP 16 / SEP 15 | SEPTEMBER 16 | SEPTEMBER 15 | YTD 16 / YTD 15 | YTD 16 | YTD 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUSTANG | -32.01% | 6,429 | 9,456 | -9.32% | 87,258 | 96,225 |
| CHALLENGER | +19.43% | 5,698 | 4,771 | -2.08% | 51,141 | 52,228 |
| CAMARO | +25.37% | 6,577 | 5,246 | -11.39% | 54,535 | 61,544 |
| TOTAL | -3.95% | 18,704 | 19,473 | -8.13% | 192,934 | 209,997 |
From a sales perspective, the sixth-gen Camaro has been a far cry from the fifth-gen, which consistently outsold the Ford Mustang month after month. The higher price of the new pony car, overhauled for the 2016 model year, is often believed to be the primary reason for decreased sales volumes for the nameplate.
Indeed, the scenario isn’t exactly bright for either the Camaro or the Mustang. Days supply of the Camaro is currently hovering around the 120 vehicle mark, an improvement from the 139-day supply in August yet still quite high. The Camaro’s sales boost can certainly be attributed to increased incentives for the sports car, as offers grew three-fold to $3,409 per Camaro compared to $2,602 per Mustang in September.
Speaking of the Mustang, things aren’t looking too good for it. September 2016 Mustang sales tumbled 32 percent, causing Ford to idle its Flat Rock Assembly Plant where the sports car is assembled.
In the first nine months of 2016, Ford has sold 87,258 Mustangs while Chevrolet has moved 54,535 units of the Camaro. The figures represent a 9.3 percent decrease for the Mustang and an 11 percent drop for the Camaro, supporting theories from some investors that pony car sales have peaked.
Comments
Gee does this mean the bad sight lines and stale design and horrible interior is not over at Ford? So much for that theory LOL!
Amazing what the price increase did to sales and now incentives have helped. I think we found the real issue.
Beware though that sales are going to stagnate in the market and cars like these are the first to show it. People stop buying the cars they want but don’t need first and then move to other models when the market growth slows.
We have some major economic issues that will be coming and the auto industry is bracing for it. GM has done a good job preparing but it will be tough on all of them. FCA is in real trouble outside of Jeep.
Higher ATP’s, lowering cost of building cars, less fleet sales and less incentives where it can be helped are the key to getting through this.
Price has always been the main problem with this generation, b/c raising the price significantly on a muscle car (where looks are key; this is not a mini-van or a Camry — owners care deeply about the looks) that does not look substantially different (even though it’s insides/performance are a marked upgrade) is a recipe for middling sales.
And beyond the $3400 in incentives, Chevy is getting more aggressive to clear out all that excess inventory. You can now get $5937 back on certain 2016 Camaros. Chevy has had some real successes lately (esp the Colorado & new Volt) but, sales-wise, the new Camaro was not one of them
http://jalopnik.com/brand-new-chevrolet-camaros-are-absurdly-cheap-right-no-1787662886
Scott I wouldn’t call victory just yet, it’s one month better sales to a two year old Mustang with still 120 days inventory. The inventory problem alone shows that GM themselves had higher expectations.
But for now it’s really impressive.
Good deals are coming for the left over 2016s. With profit lost on cars sitting on the lot and added incentives and more to come to move the remainder 2016s. I think profits for this car will also not meet GMs expectations.
I don’t think it’s even met yours?
Either way it’s a good time for consumers, good deals on a good car.
Just where did I call this a victory????
At this point GM won the race in a segment with declining sales that could be a bellwether of the predicted decline in market growth.
This is why GM has done many of the things they are doing as if growth slows and segments decline increasing profits per unit sold with less incentives, stable prices and controlling internal cost.
Mary has done a good job of this and it will matter in the coming years.
The only real growth anyone will see is in China and if they create a segment they own till the others catch up.
I do agree this is a good time to buy one of these cars now for the consumer but in the long run it hurts the segment and it hurts the company. When it comes time to invest in the future it makes making a business case all that much more difficult if given two programs and having to chose the one that makes the most money.
Companies are in this to make money and shareholders are in it for dividends. Cool cars are just a good side effect of making a profit when they do.
Trust me it is no time to break into a happy dance at the big three over this segment right now. Sales should be better all the way around. They have the best models they ever have had at GM and Ford and yet the market declines?
Things may need to change in some radical ways to save this segment in the future. New ways to lower cost and more ways to make the coupe more appealing to a market that really has rejected coupes anymore.
These are no longer cars for the young as many hold little appeal to them as the youth is not as auto focused as they used to be. Also it does not help as few can afford to buy one new let alone insure one even used.
I hold some grave concerns over the auto market in the future. I also fear if the election goes as I expect we may wish for the 1 percent growth we are having now. Note I am an optimistic kind of person and it is hard to find an edge with all the evidence we see going on. Toss in a global conflict and the house of cards could collapse fast.
Scott3, you’re always up here defending the general. Why? GM has made a multitude of bad decisions and are not doing particularly well years after rescue from bankruptcy, even with all the new designs and rave reviews. I think some of us here make good points. For all the amazing reviews of the new CT6, it isn’t selling particularly well. It’s 20k more than an ATS but has the same engine and trans. Compare this with the new volvo xc90 or upcoming s90. The volvo interiors and exteriors are leagues ahead of Cadillac. Driving an s90 would truly feel and look like you’ve “made it”. The new prius crushes the chevy volt on value (and range). Look at the resale values of cadillac ATS’s – rock bottom. And the 6th gen camaro drives like a porsche 911 but has LESS practical functionality. The only car the remotely looks like a success these days is the new malibu, and even it doesn’t come as well-equipped as an accord (extra $ for a sunroof in 2016??). I used to be in love with GM, but they’ve let me and my family down too many times. Why can’t GM just figure it out?
GM, just build good cars!
For example: If the camaro and the ATS share a platform and engine, why is a similarly-equipped V6 ATS coupe $15k more? Why would anyone buy an ATS knowing it’s a pimped out camaro? Why would anyone buy a camaro if it’s the size of a family car, but has no rear seats, barely a trunk and no visibility. These are simple fixes! Just copy directly from the germans and japanese.
Finally some incentives and one month better sales.