Chevrolet Camaro deliveries in the United States totaled 4,713 units in June 2017, a decrease of 14.62 percent compared to 5,520 units sold in July 2016. Chevy says that sales of the sports car were “up slightly” during the month.
In the first seven months of 2017, Camaro sales decreased 2.54 percent to 41,280 units compared to the first seven months of 2016.
Sales Numbers - Chevrolet Camaro - July 2017 - United States
| MODEL | JUL 17 / JUL 16 | JULY 17 | JULY 16 | YTD 17 / YTD 16 | YTD 17 | YTD 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAMARO | -14.62% | 4,713 | 5,520 | -2.54% | 41,280 | 42,354 |
The GM Authority Take
The 14.6 percent decline in Camaro deliveries continues to sap sales volume from the sports car. By comparison, Dodge Challenger sales decreased 4.56 percent to 5,333 units and Ford Mustang sales fell 35.12 percent to 6,206 units. As such, the sales performance puts Camaro in last place in the pony car sales race for July, behind the Mustang in first and the Challenger in second.
All kinds of reasons have been provided for the declining sales performance of the Camaro, but the most prominent is the higher price of the sixth-gen Camaro, supposedly due to a strategic change within GM to sell fewer models at a higher profit. What’s more, with the exception a bonus cash offers along with specific incentives to lure Mustang owners, Chevrolet has largely refrained from piling incentives onto the sixth-gen Camaro while the competition has not been as disciplined.
Even so, a refresh to the Chevy sports car is coming for the 2019 model year. Perhaps it will help sell this wonderful sports car.
Sales Numbers - Pony Car Segment - July 2017 - USA
| MODEL | JUL 17 / JUL 16 | JULY 17 | JULY 16 | YTD 17 / YTD 16 | YTD 17 | YTD 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUSTANG | -35.12% | 6,206 | 9,565 | -29.94% | 50,814 | 72,530 |
| CHALLENGER | -4.56% | 5,333 | 5,588 | +2.64% | 41,243 | 40,181 |
| CAMARO | -14.62% | 4,713 | 5,520 | -2.54% | 41,280 | 42,354 |
| TOTAL | -21.39% | 16,252 | 20,673 | -14.01% | 133,337 | 155,065 |
Related News & Info
Related Sales Reporting
- Running GM sales results
- Running Chevrolet sales results
- Running Chevrolet Camaro sales numbers
- Running Cadillac sales results
- Running Buick sales results
- Running GMC sales results
- Running Chevrolet sales results
- July 2017 GM sales results
- U.S. GM July 2017 sales results
- U.S. July 2017 Chevrolet sales results
- U.S. July 2017 Cadillac sales results
- U.S. July 2017 Buick sales results
- U.S. July 2017 GMC sales results
- GM Canada July 2017 sales results
- Canada July 2017 Chevrolet sales results
- Canada July 2017 Cadillac sales results
- Canada July 2017 Buick sales results
- Canada July 2017 GMCÂ sales results
- GM China July 2017 sales results
- Global July 2017 Cadillac sales results
- U.S. GM July 2017 sales results
Comments
The sinking ship of the Camaro is only going to get worse as a refreshed 2018 Mustang GT – on paper – greatly closes the performance gap with the SS. Magnetic ride is an equalizer added to the Mustang option list and it will receive a yet undisclosed horsepower boost. Additionally, the Mustang’s already far superior dashboard gets improved.
Meanwhile, a potential Camaro owner such as myself who can’t quite get over the hump in purchasing the car over issues beat to death here in the past must wait until the 2019 for faint hope of some fixes.
Yet, conventional wisdom (rumors) regarding the 2019 refresh and mule spy shots indicate some minor cosmetic exterior front and rear work only. Speculation of a horsepower bump.
What’s clear from the mules is visiblity won’t improve. Nor is their any indication from leaks that the Camaro’s worst in class dash will be fixed. Best I can tell from spy shots – which don’t reveal much of the interior – we’re getting the same lousy, vision blocking instrument cluster. If so, I doubt the cheap looking Sonic grade MyLink panel will be replaced either with something befitting a car I’ll be paying close to $50,000 for.
Maybe technical issues prevent GM designers from fixing this mess but I suspect GM sees the buyers as the problem and thinks the Camaro is just fine as it is. At least that’s what I’ve picked up from leaks from other automotive sources.
Well said Steve, when the refreshed mustang drops, the sales decline will accelerate. Coming from an Audi S5, I wanted to get a Camaro so bad but I couldn’t get over that plastic fisher price tacked on touch screen (and it is tilted downwards! just plain stupid). GM has the worst designers among major automakers. The company is retreating and shedding market share all over the world. It’s gonna get worse until they decide to do a 180 from their current interior and exterior design philosophy.
The sad thing is, these are performance cars and the A8 Camaro SS performs much better than the Mustang and comes close to the GT350. That aside, people looking to purchase these cars for dashboards should seriously consider buying something else.
The Mustang sales dropped 35% from the previous year which is quite significant. The overheating issues with the GT350 did not help. I personally do not care for the looks of either the Camaro or Mustang and prefer the looks of the Challenger. That could be why their sales stay steady with a slight bump this year because they are much more appealing to the eyes.
Many of the complaints lobbed at the Camaro from an interior ergonomics standpoint are valid in some ways and just subjective BS in others. That said, ALL who complain about “plasticity” interior quality vs the Mustang are full of sh#t. I have yet to be inside any car with the level of performance and driving refinement at the price the Camaro resides with better interior materials. Maybe, a low end Audi or VW is better, but just barely. And actually only in the sense that they make sure the areas you touch are actually a step or two better than the rest of the craptastic plastics elsewhere in the car.
Fact, ALL cars these days are full of plastic interior parts. That plush dash you pat and feel so smug about….it’s vinyl and foam, not leather. If it looks better than the next guys dash, it’s probably because it’s done in a better texture, or color. A little secret of the industry is, just about all of the cars in a certain price bracket are using the same suppliers.
I’ve done a few hour + commutes in a friends 2016 California Special GT, and next to even a 5th gen Camaro, the interior quality meh at best. Yes even in visibility. You are surrounded in low level plastic and foam padded vinyl, the only difference I see is the more retro twin binnacle design and the fact that most of the bright work in the Stang is plastic. vs metal in the Camaro.
I also have to chuckle to myself as I look around and remember the constant complaints about high door sills and low over-the-shoulder and forward visibility…pure bullsh#t. They are pretty much the same, except for the fact that the Camaro does have a shorter front window due to the roof extending further out ahead of you. That issue is true, and will stop you from seeing the occasional traffic light…for like two blocks, then you will naturally stop shorter and all of a sudden it’s not an issue.
Neither car can accommodate arm-on-the-windowsill driving, and neither car has a usable back seat. And frankly back seats have been an afterthought in both cars since the originals, so stop with the nostalgic kool-aid guzzling people.
And last but not least, THE reason for the sales drop, is that GM is intentionally not going for volume. the Camaro IS 20-30% more expensive than the competition. AND GM is doing next to no advertising. In fact I have never seen a commercial for the Camaro, even when the 6th gen was released. The new Mustang hit the showroom with a bang. And there has been next to no drop off in Mopar ads for the Challenger and Charger; plus with all of the discounts and incentives, it’s a never ending barn sale at Chrysler. Seriously, they are practically giving them away. And they may as Well, those cars have been out for 10 years! 15 if you include the original LX offering.
Now to be sure, the Camaro should have been a major departure from the 5th gen, and yes, the overall green house design is a bit contrived ergonomically, (the Mustang is just as bad) , but alot of that is due to Gov mandated higher belt lines and hoods, for pedestrian safety. Add that to an expected ‘lean and low’ appearance and a squashed low roof is what you get.
Finally I think we are seeing a generational divide. Many younger buyers never experienced the traditional sports car compromises stylistically or ergonomically, and it’s no longer considered a desirable trait. Heck, most “sports cars” now are nothing more than economy sedans with a quick motor and a stick. Or luxury sedans and coupes cashing in on “because sports car” with nothing more than RWD.
Things have changed. And Ford and Chrysler have shown if you want to cash in on the old, the best way is a cheap price and blatant performance silliness (that last one is all you Mopar, you know exactly what I’m talking about).
And so, you’re an expert because you rode in someone’s Mustang. Try owning the cars. I’ve owned all three “new generation” pony cars. Trust me, Camaro comes in last in quality, design and engineering. My best overall ownership experience is the Challenger. Chevrolet still builds the cars they want and don’t listen to the customers. Why would the customers know what they want?
jzEkkis obviously you’re not talking about me complaining about plastic in cars. But to be clear, the amount and even grade of plastic isn’t why I say Camaro has a worst in class dashboard.
I’m 5-9. I consider that an average height. Apparently, GM designers disagree. To get an unobstructed view over the crazy high gauge cluster I have to raise the power seat to near or at its maximum height. An artifact of going to such an extreme is obviously it adversely affects overall ergonomics.
I’ve seen some reviewers complain about this but they just put up with it. Maybe I’m unreasonable but I see no reason for such a high gauge cluster and certainly haven’t witnessed such poor design in other pony cars, the C7 Corvette (which I’ve test driven) or any other vehicle including my current rides: a full size GMC Sierra or Honda S2000.
I get asthetics are personal taste but I defy you or anyone to claim the odd shaped and positioned (facing down) MyLink console looks sporty whatsoever, contributes to the attractiveness of the Camaro’s appearance, or has enough of premium look suitable for even a mid $20,000 base model.
As a GM stockholder, I find it hard to believe sales laggard Camaro is at a point on an elasticity of demand curve where a drop in price isn’t more than made up in an increase in profitable volume. As proof look at how far volume has fallen over the years versus the C5. It’s shocking.
Finally, Chevy did include the Camaro in a TV campaign though it shared the stage with other models as part of a JD Powers pitch.
The embarrassment of abysmal Camaro sales and now falling to 3rd place in pony car sales 2 months in a row should be a wake up call. Thus far, 2019 mules indicate GM designers are clueless. I hope I’m wrong.
I feel all of your complaints against the Camaro are valid…for you. And frankly I have no problem with that.
I’m 5’11”. Nothing about the gauge cluster bothers me, yes the infotainment screen is at an odd angle. I noticed it the 1st time i tried to use one. But for me, it was no big deal. I found it no harder to use or view. My major complaint with the Camaro interior is the relative blandness of the dash (no colors, or alcantera, and the infotainmet cove should have been wrapped in aluminum like the gauge cluster). My opinion, nothing more. All easily fixed with the aftermarket.
What can’t be fixed is the sitting in a bunker/bathtub affect of the high belt line and door sills. Personnaly it’s no deal breaker. It’s just the side affect of the design that I’d get used to and maybe even learn to love. For others not ao much.
That said EVERY supercar short of the NSX suck a## when it comes to interior ergonomics and being able to see out of. Yet EVERYONE somehow finds a way to consider those traits positive features of the experience.
You say you have a S2000. I love those. Yet have passed on buying 5 of them. And honsestly the only reason why is I hate how the interior feels with the roof up. Does that mean the S2000 is a terrible car? Nope. Just means the S2000 isn’t for me, at least not as a daily driver. If and when I finally buy one, it will be my sunny day, or perfect night only car.
The same applies to the Camaro. I firmly believe that we in the car and enthusiest community love to harp on things that frankly ‘john q’ could give a damn about or never noticed.
I’ve been thinking about it long and hard, asking people on the street, doing lots of reading, and riding and driving all three. The reason the Camaro sales are where they are at, in MY opinion, is the price. It has issues yes, like every other car on the market, but being THE most expensive car in a catagory built on the back of affordable performance, and next to no non-enthusiest presence socially is certain to doom your foothold in that market.
EVERYONE knows what a Hellcat is, and chrysler made sure EVERYONE knew what a Demon was too. Dodge has commercails with Chargers and Challenegers doing burnouts till the car disappears in smoke. They make sure everyone knows thier cars are about rebellion and snorting gasoline like it’s cocain. They openly brag about 1/4 mile times, and ETs. They brag about being so fast you’ll get kicked off the dragstrip. Whats the Camaro about?!
Nurburgring times? High style over function? Hp, torque? Handling prowess? Refinement? Now you and I know that yes, those are 6th gen hallmarks. Does the public know? To ask is to answer the question. How could they, when most enthusuiest barely know.
GM is once again letting a lack of marketing fail a great product. Combine that with a blatent attempt at moving the Camaro up market and low sales are gaurenteed.
jzEllis,
I’d agree my S2000 interior is subpar compared to even the worst in class gen 6 Camaro. But it’s 15 years old and its ancient digital gauge cluster is primitive.
More interestingly, the S2000 is illustrative of another point. It’s designed for people my height or less. I have a friend over 6 feet and he’s fine headroom wise only with the top down but his legs are a bit cramped. Similarly, he thinks the headroom in the Camaro a bit confining though to be fair his head doesn’t quite bump into the headliner. So maybe Chevy designers are targeting a small group of people (males?) hovering plus or minus an inch or two of 6′. Who also have a fair amount of extra money to throw at a car purchase for a small couple second track lap time advantage.
Hey, I took graduate level marketing so going after small niches was a lesson learned. Even if I don’t see the wisdom in this case.
I have $3,500 in rewards on my GM card and still can’t negotiate a deal remotely close to a comparable Mustang GT. I can afford to wait because I technically don’t need a new car, just have the bug and the idle cash to buy one. I’ll probably wait to see what the 2018 Mustang GT refresh brings and await further details on the 2019 Camaro SS refresh. Though I’m also cross shopping ‘Vettes. My hesitation in a ‘Vette is surprisingly it’s less engaging of a drive on public roads than my humble, underpowered S2000 but costs a pretty penny.
Marketing? We’ll have to disagree. I don’t see Dodge or Ford marketing their pony cars any more or better than GM. Chevy has received tons of positive press coverage in enthusiast magazines because of its amazing track performance which is best in class.
The best advertising for new cars is seeing them on the road. I won’t run out of fingers counting the gen 6 Camaros I’ve seen in the wild since their introduction. Newer Mustangs are everywhere. Heck, my neighbors own them. My metropolitan area is midsized, about 800,000.
Though I can’t imagine anybody not cross shopping all pony cars. This is anecdotal but the last 2 state auto shows I went to there was more enthusiasm for Mustangs over Camaros. It won’t be a surprise that almost every person I witnessed looking at the Camaro’s sticker expressed shock in one form or another. But the other thing I noticed is people tend to be move in and quickly out of the Camaro whereas you have to wait to sit in a Mustang as people tend to linger.
Anyway, enjoy your Camaro. It seems you are part of the tiny niche GM designed it for.
Very Valid points. However, I don’t own a Camaro. I just “kick tires” at dealerships and have friends that always seem to toss me their car keys. So far, no performance car has come along that bit me quite the way my two 05 Pontiac GTOs did. My second GTO is so perfected to my taste, I really have no desire to buy another road missile. I always end up throwing more money at it.
BUT, If I were to buy any of the three current ponies it would be in this order:
1. Shelby GT350 / 2017 Camaro ZL1 automatic. Yep, it’s a dead tie for me; with a slight preference for the Camaro. It would probably depend on what dealer I walked into first. The Shelby is easily the best Mustang ever made, and looks fantastic, and I’m a sucker for revs, but the ZL1 is lightning in a bottle for me and bursting at the seems with tech.
2. 6th Gen 1LE
3. Dodge Hellcat wide body. Those flares fixed the most annoying thing for me about the new Challenger – big car skinny tires. I also love that Dodge makes no qualms about what it is, it’s not refined, it’s not a track star, it’s a big dumb straight line beast with a big dumb motor at a ‘everyone can have fun’ price. That price angle applies to ALL Challengers.
p.s. my bad on the on all of the spelling errors in the previous response, was replying on a cell phone…dang small buttons!
What about the “Weekly Allocation Restraints” that prevented Camor Buyers from submitting new orders???
If GM would quit trying to control the Market and release ALL YEAR ALLOCATIONS AT ONCE they’d sell more units.
People hate waiting and will buy something less desirable, but available now, vs an unknown that might be released at sometime in the future
Btw, GM really needs to put a stop to all the pigeon-holed COPO (and not being raced) and selling of ZL1 for $10K over MSRP. That’s unacceptable