Chevy Camaro Sales Decrease 20 Percent To 2,867 Units In January 2018
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Chevrolet Camaro sales decreased in the United States and increased in Canada during January 2018.
Chevrolet Camaro Sales - January 2018 - United States
In the United States, Chevrolet Camaro deliveries totaled 2,867 units in January 2018, a decrease of about 20 percent compared to 3,588 units sold in January 2017. The results represent the model's lowest January sales performance since January 2010.MODEL | JAN 2018 / JAN 2017 | JANUARY 2018 | JANUARY 2017 |
---|---|---|---|
CAMARO | -20.09% | 2,867 | 3,588 |
Chevrolet Camaro Sales - January 2018 - Canada
In Canada, Chevrolet Camaro deliveries totaled 99 units in January 2018, an increase of about 13 percent compared to 88 units sold in January 2017. The results represent the model's best January sales performance since January 2014.MODEL | JAN 2018 / JAN 2017 | JANUARY 2018 | JANUARY 2017 |
---|---|---|---|
CAMARO | +12.50% | 99 | 88 |
The GM Authority Take
The Camaro’s 20 percent January sales drop pushed it down into third and last place in its segment in terms of overall monthly sales volume. By comparison, Ford Mustang sales decreased 6.2 percent to 4,732 units while Dodge Challenger sales increased a slight 0.35 percent to 3,405 units. So, not only did the Camaro post the biggest sales decrease among its two direct pony car rivals, but it was nearly outsold two-fold by the Mustang.
We attribute the Camaro’s dismal January sales performance to 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 to the lower-priced competition from Ford and Dodge. In addition, Camaro incentives were not very attractive in January, consisting of:
- 2018 model year:
- $500 cash allowance on the LT Coupe
- 1.9% APR for 60 months for LT Coupe
- $500 cash allowance on LT Convertible
- $1.9% APR for 60 months for LT Convertible
- 2017 model year:
- $2,017 cash allowance offer on Coupe models
- 3.9% APR for 60 months + $2,017 bonus cash on Coupe models
- $2,017 cash allowance offer on Convertible models
- $3.9% APR for 60 months + $2,017 bonus cash on Convertible models
Chevrolet is widely expected to refresh the Camaro for the 2019 model year, and the update is expected to bring about a revised trim level structure that would enable a more affordable model.
Sales Numbers - Mainstream Two-Door Sports Cars - January 2018 - USA
MODEL | JAN 18 / JAN 17 | JANUARY 18 | JANUARY 17 |
---|---|---|---|
MUSTANG | -6.22% | 4,732 | 5,046 |
CHALLENGER | +0.35% | 3,405 | 3,393 |
CAMARO | -20.09% | 2,867 | 3,588 |
MX-5 MIATA | -53.07% | 436 | 929 |
86 | -33.12% | 317 | 474 |
370Z | -30.86% | 224 | 324 |
124 SPIDER | -23.75% | 183 | 240 |
BRZ | +15.20% | 235 | 204 |
TOTAL | -12.67% | 12,399 | 14,198 |
The mainstream muscle car segment contracted 8.5 percent in January, led by the Camaro’s 20 percent drop.
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.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Camaro January 2017 sales, except as noted
- In the United States, there were 25 selling days in January 2018 and 24 selling days in January 2017
- In Canada, there were 25 selling days in January 2018 and 24 selling days in January 2017
Related News & Info
- GM news
- GM incentives
- Chevrolet incentives
- Chevrolet Camaro incentives
- Chevrolet incentives
- Chevy Camaro information
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Please take the rental sales from each car and see where the sales fall. I know that for all of 2017 Mustang and Challenger were over 30%. Camaro was at 6%. This would give a true picture of the acceptance of each make.
“The Camaro is currently Chevrolet’s most affordable sports car”
Sorry Alex, it still is not competitive as shown in,
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2018/02/chevrolet-camaro-sales-numbers-figures-results-january-2018/
We hear GM understands it needs a lower price point but nothing happens. Seems the bean counters are in control, again.
Base model V8 Camaro is NEEDED to compete. No worries, don’t listen, I’ll have your job sooner or later, OR, Ford will.
Too many OLD men trying to comprehend a youthful market that Ford seems to grasp and GM DOESN’T, sad………………….
Not sure why you feel the need to be “sorry” to me. I’m simply reporting on the facts, not grinding an agenda. Let’s see to your comment now, shall we?
1. “The Camaro is currently Chevrolet’s most affordable sports car”
Sorry Alex, it still is not competitive as shown in…
I’m sorry, but is there a Chevrolet sports car that is more affordable than the Camaro? No, there isn’t… so the Camaro still holds that title. No one is talking about its competitiveness in that paragraph.
2. “We hear GM understands it needs a lower price point but nothing happens. Seems the bean counters are in control, again.
Base model V8 Camaro is NEEDED to compete. No worries, don’t listen, I’ll have your job sooner or later, OR, Ford will.”
And who said that a more affordable V8 model isn’t coming? Have you seen what’s in store for 2019 MY? Thought so…
But let us think out of the box a bit: who said that Chevrolet isn’t satisfied with these sales results based on vehicle line profit rather than sales figures, which don’t say tell the whole story?
3. “Too many OLD men trying to comprehend a youthful market that Ford seems to grasp and GM DOESN’T, sad…………………”
Now this right here is a bunch of crock. Since when does age enable or disable someone from understanding something else, or making something to that age group? Since never. By your line of thinking, the creators of Snapchat should all be 15 year old girls with too much time on their hands… and Steve Jobs should have been in his 30s when he made the iPhone.
More to the point: do you have any proof that GM supposedly doesn’t get this market? From the looks of it, they make the best product in the class… and age has nothing to do with it.
Looking forward to hearing your educated reply.
1. No there ISN’T a more affordable chevy in that segment, BUT it falls short in the market in general, FORD doesn’t!
2. Thought so? Well, no 10 spd auto for 2018!!! We’re not even talking 2019 but FORD DOES offer the co-developed 10 spd NOW. Why doesn’t GM Alex???? Will 2019 produce a bare bones V8? We don’t know and we’re supposed to wait with baited breath?? REALLY? Learn from your competition or FAIL.
3. GM has no clue except on the top end where it wants to make it’s $$$. ZL1, ZR1, etc.
Bean counters rule, pal.
What I and many others ask is GM get back to it’s roots and YOU’ll sell more vehicles in this segment. Otherwise Ford own’s GM which honestly KILLS me as I do believe GM has the better product. Get real and put the L83 with the L86 cam in a base Camaro and WATCH how it out sells the Mustang, otherwise, keep lickin’ your wounds. Hope this is educated enough for you but if not, LOOK BACK at ALL the options you had for a ’69 Camaro, you know, EVERYTHING from a small block to a 396 375HP BB. All you get now is BS or big $$. Love the POTENTIAL of the new Camaro but hate the price and no apples to apples relativity to Ford. 5.0 – 460 hp to 6.2 – 455-460 hp for LESS $$$$. Don’t get it yet? Yeah, neither does GM and THAT’s why the youth market buys mustangs over Camaro’s. Do I really need to say more Alex?
1. That’s exactly the point. The article states that the Camaro is the least expensive Chevrolet sports car… a fact based on an objective measure (price). Nothing more, nothing less. Then you came in with your subjective statement that the Camaro is not competitive enough. I’m all for sharing opinions, but you seemed to have taken issue with a single line of the article that states a fact (the Camaro is the least expensive Chevy sports car).
2. Ah, right. Let’s talk about that, and the fact that your surface-level analysis is based on a span of a single model year, which is like a minute in this industry.
The fact that the Mustang offers a few features that are objectively superior to those currently offered on the Camaro is true. But I hope you realize that this is a natural turn of events in the industry: this year, the Mustang will leapfrog the Camaro in those few features. Next year, the Camaro will leapfrog the Mustang, and then some… and the trend goes on and on and on, year after year, decade after decade.
The point isn’t about being first to market with a feature by a factor of a few months… it’s about having the proper combination of time to market, quality, reliability, and what is sometimes referred to as the “complete package factor”. One or two features doesn’t make or break a product, though it might attract some attention, albeit in limited quantities.
Now, why doesn’t the Camaro have the 10-speed for 2018? You seem to be asking me as if I’m GM… as if I’m responsible for the 10-speed not being in the car. Well, I’m not, and I can’t answer that with certainty… but I can add some perspective for you.
Let’s start with considering that Chevy has a 9-speed in the Malibu… while Ford doesn’t in the Fusion. That segment is (to my personal dismay) much more volume rich and profitable than the pony car space. Maybe consider that Chevy has the 9-speed in the Cruze, while Ford doesn’t. Or maybe consider that they are working on a complete overhaul of their platforms in favor of four vehicle sets that will let them add the latest features much more quickly and cost effectively than they can currently. I encourage you to consider the bigger picture of prioritization first, before jumping to conclusions on one or two features over a very short period of time.
Moreover, perhaps Ford has the 10-speed in the 2018 Mustang first because they rushed it to market and wanted to be first, but will have some major issues down the road. Perhaps not. We don’t know yet. Meanwhile, GM has the 9-speed in more products. Again, big picture scenario. Over the course of 18 months, every rear-drive GM product will have the 10-speed.
You didn’t mention that the 2017 Camaro ZL1 was technically the first vehicle in its class to use the 10-speed… well ahead of the the Mustang. Also noteworthy is that the 2019 Camaro will be the only vehicle in its class to have a 7-speed manual transmission that is superior to six-speed units used by its competitors.
The point is that we are talking about complex machines with thousands of parts at various levels, including engineering, integration, testing/validation, assembly and post-sale support. It’s not as simple as taking a feature, sticking it into the car and calling it a day. They’re not making pizza here.
As for “waiting with baited” breath… who told you to do so? If you think that the Mustang is truly a better car, then buy it. But even with the 10-speed and with slightly more power for 2018, the Mustang is still not as good as the Camaro from an overall package standpoint.
3. “GM has no clue except on the top end”…
Now that’s as subjective as it gets. And so your assessment that “bean counters rule, pal.”
The reality is that neither you nor I actually know who rules, or whether or not GM has a clue. The more poignant thing to do is to see what Camaro has in store for its refresh, and then make any conclusions based on that. Until then, you’re talking about a product that is about to be updated… so you’re beating a dead horse for no apparent reason.
The rest of your comment are suggestions that exist in no-man’s land: they’re opinions on what you believe will “fix” Camaro sales, but fail to take into account many other, significantly more important factors. Let’s not forget that the goal of the Camaro isn’t to appease every person… it’s to make money. That’s it. That’s all that matters. Call that bean counting… but without that, there is no GM, there is no Chevrolet, there is no Camaro.
So keeping that in mind, sales volume is just one metric that only tells part of the picture. For instance, could it be that the Camaro actually makes more money as a program than the Mustang, despite selling less units overall? We don’t know, but it’s possible. We also don’t know how many Camaros and Mustangs are sold to daily rental fleets, which are huge for the sales volume count, but do nothing for profitability (actually decrease it), while sapping the car’s residual values, making it less desirable for repeat buyers and more costly to sell for the automaker. I have reason to believe that removing daily rental sales from the three pony cars would reveal that retail (to actual personal-use customers) are quite similar for all models. I’m working on getting data for GM Authority on this topic. Stay tuned.
And here’s the thing about enthusiasts: I love them, and am one myself. But our thinking is typically very limited to what we think we know or believe to be true, and what we know or think is possible, without having a broader understanding of what’s really possible or what’s coming.
Had Henry Ford asked transportation enthusiasts back in the early 1900s (before making any cars) what they wanted, they would have replied that they wanted a better, faster horse. He gave them a mass-produced car instead.
In that very same vein, let’s talk about your assessment of what you think will help Camaro sales. First, Camaro sales might actually be healthy and not need any “help” – as I discussed in my fleet vs. retail comments above. But let’s assume that you’re right and that Chevy is not happy with the business performance of the Camaro as a product line. Again, we don’t know whether this is the case or not. But if it is, then Chevy can and should address whatever issues are present in order to improve the car’s market performance.
However, your recommendations can be totally off, as they are based on zero facts. You recommend focusing on the low-end of the high-performance space (an “SS-light model”, if you will)… but perhaps the biggest opportunity lies in the low-end segment (selling more LS/LT models). Or perhaps the opportunity lies in making a less expensive SS model. In that case, a solution could be to continue offering the LT1, albeit with less standard features. Again, with no data, we do not know.
So why don’t we let them show us what’s in store for the 2019 Camaro, which I have a feeling will leap well beyond whatever the 2018 Mustang is offering. Again, we’re talking about a year (possibly less) – an insignificant amount of time in the big picture.
To further expand on your recommendation of introducing an L83 with an L86 cam in the Camaro.
Your recommendation assumes that an opportunity exists to sell more vehicles in the high-performance space (above the base engine(s) but below the extreme performance space). That’s a big assumption to make with no data to back it up. Not saying it’s wrong or right… just saying that we don’t know without any corroborating data.
But for the sake of this conversation, let’s assume it’s true.
1. Why do you think that this is a better solution or one that is more desired by the market, compared to simply lowering the base price of the 1SS trim by removing a few features, and then introducing a range-topping 3SS trim level?
2. Why do you feel that using an L83 as an engine in a 2019 model year product is a good idea and/or competitive, despite the L83 being a mediocre powertrain product that is about to be phased out in favor of newer and more modern engines?
3. How does your recommendation of using the L83 with L86 cams align with the GM manufacturing roadmap, which sees the imminent rumored introduction of LT2, LT3, LT6 and LT7 engines, while likely seeing the phasing out of the L83 and L86 over the next 24 months.
I hope this better demonstrates why this topic is much more than just about a single engine, transmission, or trim level. It’s about the entire product, from start to finish… while pulling the resources of GM as a whole, from development and engineering to production and support.
I still think people would pay whatever Chevrolet/GM wanted (within reason) if the car looked different. The Buick Avista concept was IMO exactly what the Gen 6 Camaro should have been. It was sleek, sporty, modern yet still tough/mean looking. It was much like the Gen 2… I still look at the pictures of that thing and just imagine it with a Bowtie. We’d have one in the garage if Chevrolet made it look like the Avista that’s for sure.
Right, because having a “different” design really helped a car like the Hyundai Genesis Coupe become an overnight sales success… so much so that it was discontinued 4 years after launch. Worth noting that a car’s dynamics were excellent and it was sold at a really attainable price point.
GM/Chevrolet blew it with the body on this generation Camaro–can’t see out of it–plus the dash is embarrassing–shame–because performance and handling are great.
So true. That dash is horrible. Does the mustang’s dash look like a first gen? No….
The Camaro’s looks like $hit and for that kind of $$, that sucks. As a matter of fact, the entire dash looks worse than my 90′ Vette, seriously. That should not be for what you pay, so forget retro first gen design nostalgia, period.
Let’s not let fiction get in the way of fact: the Mustang has as much nostalgic design elements as the Camaro… the shift knob,the font on the gauges, even on the digital cluster… there are more, but those are the first that come to mind.
Could the dash in the Camaro be improved? Definitely. Should it be? Yes. But is it so bad so as to turn off thousands of buyers every month from buying the car? No.
In YOUR opinion which is NOT general consensus. Could I live with it, yeah. Do I WANT to live with it? NO. Best question is , Is it better than the mustang’s, NOOOOOO! And there in lies your caveat, Alex.
Have I driven the newest Camaro? Yes, and it’s dash sucks, period.
Go back and make it the SAME as 1st gen and it would be even better.
In my opinion? Sure. In my opinion. Let’s talk about what my opinion is made of. To be frank, over a decade’s worth of direct experience in the automotive industry at all tiers, including Tier 1 (working for and at GM), Tier 2 (suppliers) and Tier 3 (retail). So as far as opinions go, mine is a very good one to take into consideration. Meanwhile, “general consensus” has led us to such things as the Salem witch trials. In other words, general consensus can be worthless.
Again, the argument here isn’t whether Chevy should improve the dash in the Camaro. The answer to that question is yes – the dash is a weak point of the car and should be addressed. But again, that’s missing the point. So, what’s the point? The point is whether or not the dash on the current car is costing the gen six Camaro sales to the tune of 3-5 thousands per month. And my experience tells me that it is not.
There is significantly more to a vehicle purchase than the product attributes. The gen five Camaro had an even worse dash, and Mustang’s was still better. That didn’t inhibit the Camaro from outselling the Mustang, despite the gen five Camaro being a big, huge, gargantuan slob compared to the current model.
So, if you want to think that a dash makes the difference of THOUSANDS of sales per month, month after month, I advise you to spend some quality time in a Chevy dealership and listen to customers shopping the Camaro. Very few bring up the dash. So I’ll wait for you to report back while you do that. Until then, your argument is like Swiss cheese – it holds no water. The recommendation to make it like the first gen is even worse. Back to the drawing board for you, eh?
Lol….Ok so we agree to disagree? Yes, I do agree on one point and that is that a dash doesn’t make the car. Does it still need to be changed? Yes, and you agree to that. I’m a GM man and have been all my life. Noticed that your more comfortable replying to aspects of a dash rather than the whole picture as to why the mustang outsells the Camaro. Yes, an inferior product outsells the superior product, right? Or is it when it’s less $$$ with a 10 spd auto and a 460hp 5.0l versus a 6.2l with the lame 8spd no one seems to like? Seriously, why can’t GM compete when it’s the larger, more diverse corporation. If YOU have the ear of GM then LISTEN to what people want! Like the Avista and an entry level V8 Camaro. As I’ve stated before, a 400+HP L83 would be a good place to start. No buzzer’s, no bell’s, no whistle’s. Just a good base hot rod. Not the V6 and not the 2.0t. Certainly not the overpriced 1SS young people can’t afford but many desire and GM can’t sell to. Which leads to the build and price configurator. WHY is it so convoluted to use where options are auto added? GM, cut the BS, please!
First of all the visibility in the Camaro sucks. Secondly, why does the 2018 Mustang offer a 10 speed automatic, while the Camaro has an 8 speed automatic? I thought G.M. and Ford co-partnered in the 10 speed automatic tranny.
G.M. should pay more attention to the customers needs. That’s why G.M. filed Bankpruptcy a while back because they didn’t listen.
Scott, you are absolutely right! Your point has been mine all along. WHY NO 10 SPD auto??????????????????? Maybe ask Alex???? Maybe not……….And we hear about a lower price point yet no L83 5.3l AKA 327 pkg? What I want answered yet NEVER happens is, what is the cost difference between the LGX V6 and the L83 V8? GM doesn’t listen and deserves to choke. If I were buying a car today, it would be…..blasphemy…..a 2018 MUSTANG! And I hate fords…..
Sure, sure, ask Alex, as if Alex is GM… right? Even though I’m not 😉
You’re not going to hear an answer regarding the cost difference between the LGX and the L83. It will never happen, as that information is closely guarded and only a few people have access to it.
But like I mentioned in my earlier comment, I do not believe the L83 is the solution here.
Ok, we get it. You’re not GM. Yeah, we get it that GM will never disclose cost factors but it’s pretty much understood that DOHC’s are more costly to produce than OHV’s. Specifically, the 3.6 LGX will be more costly than the L83 V8, even with direct injection. I’ll do more research to confirm this but it’s pretty straight forward due to head design with 4 cams and valves per cylinder.
The Camaro is no more harder to see out of than any other Camaro.
If you knew all the facts I suspect in the joint tranny deal GM got Ford to pay a majority on the transmission while they did most of the work. Let’s face it Ford was never a leading transmission mfg.
It is like the deal on the BMW/CTS tranny a few years ago. They paid the bills and GM did the work and got it a year later.
Might note when testing was being done the Ford 10 speed trucks were at the GM Warranty proving grounds.
Well, you’ve either not been in a 1st gen camaro or a 5th/6th gen camaro because there is a WORLD of difference and that is blatantly obvious just from pictures. Yep, the mustang gets the 10spd auto for 2018 and the camaro doesn’t. Not really interested in a bmw/caddy comparison as it’s not the point here, you know, Camaro vs. mustang and all…….
So again, we are talking about one model year that the Mustang will one-up the Camaro in a couple of areas, but not really in terms of performance. And the Camaro had the 10 speed BEFORE the Mustang in the ZL1.
The first gen Camaro was a totally different car. Why are we discussing a vehicle that is five decades old and is not relevant today?
Makes you wonder how much structural integrity might be lost in the GEN 6 Chevrolet Camaro if it featured a liftback instead of the small trunk opening or imagine the Camaro featuring the 2.7L Opposed Piston engine being tested by the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with 270 horsepower and 450 lbs-ft of torque while capable of 37 mpg mileage.
The retro look has gotten old. The car looks like a cartoon. It is past time for the style to evolve into the next generation. Keep making the running gear great but make this car look like it stepped over all of the other cars with some dramatic, beautiful, with high utility styling. IT is past time. Perhaps Chevy should make the car look like what it costs as opposed to trying to make a cheaper model.
Are YOU hearing this Alex? Is GM hearing this?? Please, MAKE WHAT PEOPLE WANT! No, you still don’t get it, and this is YOUR website for public feed back.
C4ce,
I’m afraid you’re barking up the wrong tree.
First: it doesn’t matter if I “hear this” or not. I am not GM. I am not Chevrolet. I am not the Camaro team. Yes, some GM employees read GM Authority… but that’s beside the point, because…
Second: even if I were GM, Chevy, or the Camaro team, what I would see is a few comments by enthusiasts trying to guess (that’s the key word) why a product like the Camaro isn’t selling as well as it should be in the real world. Those guesses would mean very little, as I sure would not bet a multi million product line or investment project on what a few guys are saying… guys who have never done the market research, and are knowledgeable but are probably wrong.
The point is that it’s so easy to sit at home and point to things and say, “the Camaro is not selling well because of the dash or the design or some other factor”. We can all do that and create the perfect product for us, but never actually adress the underlying issue of why the car isn’t selling well to the masses in the first place. So in reality, you need to be certain about those reasons when working on the refresh or on the next gen model. So this is where you launch a comprehensive study, gather the data, analyze it, and use that data and your own experience, knowledge, creativity and intuition to improve the product.
So ultimately, I “get it” more than you seem to realize. On the other hand, you want to base a major business decision on nothing but a hunch, which is why you’re not running a multi million dollar vehicle program at GM or any other automaker.
No offense intended Alex. “which is why you’re not running a multi million dollar vehicle program at GM or any other automaker”
Very true and it’s also why….
“Chevy Camaro Sales Decrease 20 Percent”
And why Mustang’s outsell the Camaro….. Because GM doesn’t listen and IF they did? Well, maybe they wouldn’t be in this position. Maybe, just maybe, an outside perspective is what GM needs. Enough said and I don’t envy your position, peace out.
Again, you’re basing your conclusions on a product that’s about to be heavily updated in a matter of a few months. Once that is released, you’ll be able to say with certainty whether GM does or doesn’t listen. Until then, all you can do is wait.
And as I mentioned in my comment above, a matter of a single model year (or perhaps less) is nothing in this industry. It’s a blink of an eye. You really need to understand how the market at large makes vehicle purchase decisions and the timing associated with them. The overwhelming majority does not buy when something is announced or released. Instead, they buy when the time is right, whether based on financial factors, timing (such as lease termination/expiration), or other conditions.
Let’s keep reality in check here.
“Second: even if I were GM, Chevy, or the Camaro team, what I would see is a few comments by enthusiasts trying to guess (that’s the key word) why a product like the Camaro isn’t selling as well as it should be in the real world. Those guesses would mean very little, as I sure would not bet a multi million product line or investment project on what a few guys are saying… guys who have never done the market research, and are knowledgeable but are probably wrong.”
Wow, you have a lot to say with a very disparaging point of view of many GM fans, seriously? This is the issue, YOUR and GM’s Attitude towards the PEOPLE WHO BUY AND PAY YOUR CHECK, seriously?
“Wow, you have a lot to say with a very disparaging point of view of many GM fans, seriously? This is the issue, YOUR and GM’s Attitude towards the PEOPLE WHO BUY AND PAY YOUR CHECK, seriously?”
1. It’s not a disparaging point of view… it’s a a realistic one.
The rather unfortunate truth is that us enthusiasts (yes, I am one myself) are loud and proud, but we are a small minority that is getting smaller each day thanks to Millennials who like cars less and less. Enthusiasts do not buy most vehicles, nor pay the bills for most products and services, Camaro included.
And while we have an idea of what we would like to see improved in the Camaro, the fact is that we actually don’t know if those recommendations are applicable to the mass scale in which products like the Camaro are sold. So I’m all for discussing and sharing opinions. What I’m not about is presenting those opinions as facts or gospel.
2. The grave reality is that GM Authority’s advertisers pay the bills, my check included. I have yet to have any of our readers reach out and offer to buy me coffee, let alone “pay my check”. I’ll leave it at that.
Ok Alex, no more banter from me and I’ll buy you a cup of coffee, ok? I hear you and value what you have to say, even if I disagree. Your not GM, I get it. BUT GM does need to listen or lose market share and then we all lose when the Camaro is not deemed profitable and terminated. How many cars have we seen go that route?? GM has not listened before and even within it’s ranks, true? Many here and even The reps from GM claim they’re looking at a more value segment for the Camaro based on what they’re losing to Ford. This isn’t just an enthusiast perspective, it’s fact, Alex. The L83 isn’t a more value based perspective? How about this….a real RS, maybe Z/28 with the L83? You know, like with a higher lift cam and 1LE package. It’s what made the Z/28 with the 302 DZ motor. The L83 is already in inventory and a cam swap is a no brainer. How many 2.0t Camaro’s are being sold? Seriously….I’d buy a V6 LGX before a pathetic 4 banger and even there, Ford does it better with more HP. I don’t WANT TO BUY A FORD but how do you argue with what they offer vs. GM and at what price point?? Sorry, I’m just a frustrated GM fan who honestly believes they aren’t listening while missing market share without a value based V8. Want millennial’s in the drivers seat? Make them an offer they CAN’T refuse. Hell, I’ll buy one myself!! Do you remember back in the day when you could buy a stripped down Camaro with a V8? COPO? Crank windows? No air? Just a 4 spd and a V8? You believe no one want’s that anymore but I beg to differ when they see it on the dealership lot for a much lower cost that they actually CAN afford. Seriously Alex, With people like you being the Nay sayer’s, it’s no wonder GM doesn’t listen because why should they? Instead of saying what they SHOULD build, you state why they SHOULDN’T or WON”T. It’s why myself and others give you a harsh rebuttal. Again, peace out…..
I haven’t driven the current ben Camaro, but I think it’s the best looking Camaro ever! Yes everybody loves 1st gen and it looks great, but the look and the way the car is build is outdated. It’s a shame that current ben don’t sell well.
Why isn’t the camaro selling?
– the design–the vast majority of the people who like the retro drop top transformers thing have already bought this car between 2010 and now, at least once if not a couple times. The people who bought the 5th gen while they were in their 20’s are now in their 30’s. They have more money now. But, they’re tired of the design. It looks old. They’ve had that car before. Yes the 6th gen is a good car but its really just a better 5th gen. Fundamentally, design wise, it’s the same car. The same ridiculously high belt line, the same squinty pseudo-retro front end. The 6th gen looks better, no doubt. But deep down it’s basically the same car that came out in 2010. And it looks like a toy you would find in toy’s-r-us.
I think, that there are a LOT of people (me included) just sitting out there waiting on Chevy to do the right thing and shift the design back to the more classy designs of the 2nd generation, designs that were inspired by european/italian sports cars. Designs that had very nice visibility, and driveability. No jarring, passive-aggressive lines everywhere. No square tail lights. Just pure class. The 2nd generation exemplified this design language, and Chevrolet would do well to go back and draw inspiration from there. Because let’s face it, the 2010 attempt at retro-throwback never really succeeded, because they turned it into a toy car for a transformers movie. They never TRULY did retro, never actually did the original designers justice. They soiled that attempt to cop the 1st generation
So, admit your failure and move to round 2. This time give it a try with the 2nd generation except do it right this time. Give us a lean, mean, 2nd generation F-body throwback with improved visibility and classier, more subtle design language.
I guarantee there are a large number of people just sitting out there with money to burn waiting for this car.
I never really liked the new Camaro design until I saw a ZL1 attempting to haul a$$ on a freeway near me (traffic kept the car within site for a while). You wanna talk bad a$$ looks?
Unfortunately those bad a$$ looks are also this design’s greatest weakness–the racecar vibe just isn’t for everyone. And while the top of the line car looks great; the lesser models look like lesser/weaker models.
“And while the top of the line car looks great; the lesser models look like lesser/weaker models.”
Isn’t that the case for all vehicles? The lesser models always look less attractive than the mid- or top-line ones.
I don’t know about less attractive. But I think in this case the vibe a base Camaro gives off vs. a Zl1 is quite different.
Right, the Camaro in base form looks completely different than the ZL1… and even the SS. But add the RS package, and you instantly have a better-looking car. Even so, many don’t really care about those details and are happy with a base Camaro.
Here we go again. The 10 spd is available in ALL Mustangs NOW, THIS MODEL YEAR. No 10 spd available in anything OTHER than the ZL1, Alex, WHY??? The ZL1 is another animal all together, and you of all people know it and it obviously lends itself to the Camaro’s top end but not any other variant, seriously? Even Ford will put it in the base 2.3l if you check the box. Not Chevy…..you only get the maligned, yes on these forums, 8 spd auto. Now, lets look at the 2.0t 275hp vs. 2.3 ecoboost 310hp AND the price jumps to $27.7K for the 1LT package to get the 8 spd while the mustang is $26.83K, almost $1K more?! People on these forums post that the Camaro has horrible rear visibility and while I like the sleeker design, it is worse than a 1st gen Camaro and probably worse than Corvette which no ones seems to complain about but then again, the Camaro is a 4 seater, not a 2 seater. Just a fact. You wrote an article stating sales are down and I’ve given you multiple reasons why. Not to knock the car, I love it, but GM seems to not listen to it’s fans while charging more for even it’s most Base vehicle. Any wonder Ford outsells?? No….