GM has filed to trademark the name “Panther” for use on automobiles through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Trademarking the name hints that GM could be setting the table for a comeback of the Chevy Camaro. GM also filed to trademark the same name in 2023.
The Panther name has been associated with the Chevy Camaro since before it came out. It was the internal codename for the Camaro program in its early days, developed as a rival to the groundbreaking Ford Mustang. Chevy came up with the name Camaro rather than using an animal name, but “Panther” has still been associated with the Chevy muscle car ever since.
The 2024 Chevy Camaro Collector’s Edition paid homage to the Panther name with unique panther logos on the steering wheel badge and inside the letter “R” on the “Camaro” exterior badging. It also had two paint options named “Panther Black,” one metallic and one matte.
While it’s possible GM has something else in mind for a model named Panther, it’s hard to imagine the name being associated with anything other than the Camaro. However, the storied history of the Camaro also has monikers like SS, Z/28, RS, and ZL1 to draw from, so it’s not like the Camaro needs new variant names.
We’ve reported previously on efforts to make the next-generation Camaro a smaller, more agile sports car like the Toyota GR86 and Nissan Z. Is it possible a small and affordable sports car named Panther could be on the way, and the Camaro name is being saved for something bigger and pricier to continue rivaling the Mustang?
Unfortunately for GM enthusiasts, internal efforts to develop a seventh-generation Chevy Camaro have been “blown apart” by upper management due to a lack of a convincing business case. In essence, the plan’s key business-level performance targets – including sales volume forecast and profitability figures – were not met to green-light the next-gen Camaro. One source tells us that GM is still kicking the project around. “It’s still in play, but the light at the end of the tunnel is now dimmer,” the source tells us.
Do you think GM will incorporate the Panther name into a new Camaro lineup, or will it be a brand-new model?
Comments
It’s be an electric CUV. Would be better off taking the “Cougar” name from Ford (old Mercury) for all the Karenmobiles gm makes.
I thought they were Marymobiles.
SUV, CUV, etc. I just call them all Station Wagons. That’s all they really are, just shorter than the older ones..
Probably just for a blackout trim package for the Blazer SS EV or some other boring vehicle nobody wants. GM loves watering down their heritage.
If it’s electric, don’t bother.
Listen I agree with you to a point I would love it if it came back with a V8 but you can’t deny that the future is electric cars the technology’s getting better and more reliable so I wouldn’t be against it but what they can do is is come out with a V8 along with the electric and let the people choose if the electric comes out more quicker and would be more efficient I’m pretty sure what the people will end up buying
Electric cars are so over rated. Too many environmental issues that are not being addressed. Definitely not enough infrastructure to switch over… only good for local travel.
Amen!
Electric is not the way to go.Electric will die eventually.You’re not gonna rewire the infrastructure in order to handle the charging requirements.
Hopefully that slush box of a “muscle car” dies out. No more Camaro
Username checks out.
And yours doesn’t John. Complain all you want that slush box is gone. Ford actually knows how to keep a car in production like the mustang. Bunch of whiners on here
Slushbox? The Mustang was no comparison to the Alpha Camaro. Sure the GT500 had more power but even it was 20(!) seconds slower at the ‘Ring than the the ZL1 1LE. I wonder what time a $600k (yes GTDs with options will now cost that-see the smoking tire’s post) ZL1 would turn . . The GT is an overpriced pig and the $80k Dark Horse is nothing once its 160 treadwear tires give up after one burnout.
And “GM” didn’t fail to “keep it in production”. One person did that: Mary Barra. She singlehandedly defunded it in November 2019. So actually, they made car for 5 years after development ceasing. Meanwhile the Mustang rots.
Single handedly? You do realize so much goes into that decision, right? It starts with you, the consumer. Sales had been dropping steadily, when sales drop and margins are thin, it doesn’t make the business case for a new model. So start the blame there… Second, there is a whole host of people at different levels doing analysis and pushing program decisions when looking at competitors and industry trends. The final decision comes down to her most likely from recommendations from others. They probably had a discussion on even though it was a passion project, it wasn’t a viable business project and it got scrapped. Because of that, losing money for few thousand sales isn’t smart when it could cost jobs in other areas. In 2021 it was down 70%, so if she made the sole decision as you said in November 2019 (lets call it 2020 at this point), sales weren’t at an all time high but well under 50% from its launch. There is a reason people like you aren’t running businesses, they would be defunct in a decade… As much as I love it (I have a rwd manual V8 at home), it wasn’t a good financial decision to keep and they made the right call. Look at the challenger and mustang, those sales have been TANKING and look how their respective companies are doing financially compared to GM trying to do money dragging passion projects that lose money or skim margins (bronco, wrangler, trx, raptor, etc).
Read Larry’s dead on correct comment…dinglberry.
why are you on a GM site if your a Ford fan boy? Are you here just to troll? Do you really need attn. that bad? You poor thing.
Look folks the formula of an Affordable cheap performance car at high volumes is dead.
Today these cars have become low volume performance coupes that are faster and better than every but they are very expensive and make little money.
Chrysler sold a ton of these but they still got sold to the French. It did not save them. The Mustang only lives because Ford has nothing else. It used to sell 600K units a year and struggles to get to 45K a year now.
Even the aftermarket that used to cater to all these cars with performance parts are in major decline. They make a ton of power and few people even modify them anymore.
I make my living in the performance market and made a ton of money on these cars but today it is all trucks and jeeps.
I really want and need these cars but I get it. The money they spend on these can go to a CUV that will make 4 times the money from the same investment.
Mary does not hate performance but it is her job to keep stock prices up and profits up. That often means higher volume boring CUV models.
Right now GM is working hard to make CUV models that are still decent but are more affordable. The Trax is a FWD only model that they have designed to be cheaper and lighter so they can sell it with decent options under $30K. It is working. I expect more of this to appear in larger models.
Profits come before fun.. Sorry to say that but that is the reality as the health of a company comes first.
Yes Ford sells a Raptor line and Mustang but they can even get their stock over $10 a share. Had the Ford family not owned the majority they may not even be an American owned company at this point.
Not tryimg to stir people up but just giving s dose of reality here. We will see more car companies fail soon.
GM will back off the EV models for a while but no one is going to stop working on them. They are here and parts of this country people love them. You can’t sling a dead car in LA and not hit one. I expect they will be a part of the market and they will have to earn their way in. Unless the wrong people get elected and force them again. Mary brought them in because she had to not because she wanted them. We still may need them so they will remain.
Note Mary let us have the Mid Engine Vette and now one with over 1000 HP Also she approved a new 6th gen V8 that is going to arrive soon.. These things were kept somewhat quite but GM is far from done with ICE.
But remember CARB is far from done fighting.
Go outside nerd.
I see you very popular on this website.
If a future Camaro is an EV, it will be a sales disaster like the Dodge Charger EV.
Someone told me the new EV Charger has stopped being built?
The low end trim version, yes, but not the higher end trim. They are also expected to announce new V8 vehicles soon now that the wimp Carlos Tavares is gone.
FYI- Tavares formerly CEO of Stellantis. Not a GM employee.
and soon that wimp mary barra will be gone as well.
EVs in general are sales disasters.
another ugly car ? when GM will built beautiful cars again ´? because its palette is terrible
They need to bring back the ‘80s Caprice Classic. Plush bench seats, AC vents for my private area and library smooth and quiet. Put in airbags, anti-lock brakes and anti skid 4 wheel disc brakes. Keep the 350 V8 but add modern technology and GM will have a humdinger of a ride. Don’t need the bull$hit touch screen. It’s a CAR!
Im 30, I want the ability to purchase a new Camaro thats NOT an EV.
Camaro should be a true 7th gen. A better version of the 5th/6th gen. All ICE, no EVs.
This is an affordable enthusiast product, for performance/daily use. Not a green soulless pile of junk. Its NOT difficult.
Theres a market, when economy gets better. Us young enthusiasts love sports cars, just cant afford them (on average). Previous generation Camaro owners (like I) want an improved car that does everything we need it to. There is also C4-C7 owners who want a front engine RWD sports car and may not like the C8. Then those who cant afford a 60k C8.
What Camaro7 needs:
Alpha 2 – lightweight, great handling on the street and track. Also, R&D is done, save money.
LT2 or next gen V8.
10 speed auto or 6 speed manual.
Turbo or even the LGX V6 again with the 8-10 speed – affordable and efficient.
Keep as much as you can close to the 6th gen (chassis and power-train), to save money.
Slightly better visibility. (doesnt have to ruin the look with a fishbowl, keep the styling just improve it where it counts).
Better practicality than Camaro6 (larger trunk opening, more interior space, and storage).
Technology upgrades – Camaro6 and C7 are very outdated and prone to being stolen. A new gen Camaro with GlobalB or whatever is next would fix this issue.
Lastly, actually build them! Many didnt get a gen6 (2020-2023) because GM wasnt giving allocations.
6 speed do it yourself trans.ission??
I thought ZEN-Zers don’t know how to shift manual?
…..and don’t forget to actually advertise!
I hope GM is bringing back the Camaro! I have a 2018 Camaro 2SS vert and I love this car. I would definitely buy a new one.
Would rather GM bring back the Malibu as an SS!
Why not both!
REAR WHEEL DRIVE!!!!!!
Likely a perfect fit for George Jetson.
Surprise! GM does something stupid AGAIN!
Going be ev probably
Why would you stop building a car (Camaro) that you could sell every flippin one you ever built? Great business move… I’m sure there will be a lot more smooth moves by GM. GOOFY MOTORS
Or Junior Motors the way they’re losing market share
Panther, that would be interesting. If they do make it smaller it could be like the Soltice was. Power it with a 4 cyl. version of the 5.5 liter Z06 engine. While the V8 is Corvette only, a 4 cylinder with the same bore and stroke would be a blast to drive.
BUILD IT CHEVROLET…..
Forget the 4 and build it with a V6. Turbo or super charged. Camaro is Supercharged.
As an owner of a 2nd Gen and a 5th Gen Camaro, I speak from personal taste alone. EVERYONE I’ve ever spoke to says they LOVE the front end of my, or anybody else’s, 70 Z/RS. I’m quite partial but I agree. The single best styling feature of any Camaro, ever built, hands down. I’m NOT a fan of unnecessary tech in vehicles. Build a well styled (hint, hint) stripped down car with seat belts, ABS and Air bags. Modern suspension underneath with no sensors. Leave the driving up to the driver. For fuel economy I would, somewhat begrudgingly, be willing to accept a Turbo or Supercharged V6. No 4s, ever. Get to ~ 350HP and you’d have a winner. Nobody needs 500+hp in a street car. 350hp can get you into all the trouble you could handle. 350hp, 3200lbs and you can have tons of fun. Forget building street cars for the track. That’s for racers to build and pay for. They’re good at it.
Agreed!
They could offer the COPO for the racers.
Did anyone see where it says this name would be used for Chevrolet?
When GM does something right again it will something right in a long time , haven’t seen anything right under Mary ///
Mary is in charge of mistakes. She will take her bonus and stock options and fly off into the Sunset with her buddy Zuckerberg and Billy Boy gates. Of course because the girls are running the show, nobody can complain or they will be accused of something terrible. Glad I’m retired. What a mess.
I noticed that an huge emergency amount of money is going to Tonawanda to produce small blocks now that the EV fad has flopped. Way late. They we’re preparing to throw those employees into Lake Erie. Flint won’t be able to keep up with small blocks now that they the writing is on the factory wall. EV flop.
You know the EV flop is in full force. They are encouraging employees and retirees to tag electric vehicles. Before, they wouldn’t give you a discount. Now they’re begging.
When I hear Panther, I think of the Panther platform Fords, Crown Vic, Grand Marquis, Town Car, etc.
If only it was the size of the Solstice w/ basically 1/2 the ZR1 engine plus the E-Ray Electric motor…
And if I had the $ for it
I could never afford a Corvette. When I learned the Camaro was being canceled, I wasn’t ready financially, but I bit the bullet and ordered a Panther. I am not bragging, but the metallic paint is stunning. I got a 3lt and my 330 horses are ready to carry me anywhere and get great mileage doing so. The great pushrod engine will never quit. It’s a beautiful car and I’m so happy driving it.
Maybe it was at the dealership I worked at, but never did see very many V-6 cars, just pricier hot rods and such. Several factory hot rods with the summer tires that went “:pop” when they were moved after sitting overnight.
Because they went all out on the Gen I car for the last Camaro styling, I always wondered what might come next?
Rumblings for about a year of a return of “Firebird” for NASCAR racing, for GM’s entry. Camaro would work better, to me. In any event, which ever one is used, a certain amount will probably have to be built by GM for them to be used. I know, all NASCAR “cars” are pretty much under the skin . . .
Chevy marketing should have done a BETTER job of getting affordable Camaros on the dealers’ lots, rather than the “halo” pricier stuff! NO turbo 4cyls, either! A 400hp 5.7L LT engine family would work just fine for their hi-volume SS models. A base level car with LITTLE “tech” in it, especially NO AMBIENT LIGHTING!
Would love GM to bring back new version of the Chevelle and the Pontiac brand.
Mo room in the GM budget for a Camaro, gotta prop up the mega losses posted by the various EV cars & Trucks GM is cranking to languish on dealer lots. That is the result of the Government poking its nose into a free market and inducing people to buy what they think you should buy. Even if you’d have never bought it without taxpayer dollars on the hood to make the bad taste go down. Ford has the same problem, a 40k Mustang GT 3 years ago is now 60+. Sure, inflation, but 33% in 3 years? Next time someone buys a Dark Horse the owner should get a thank yon note from the last person that bought a Mach-e or Lightning.
Make a Camaro that is comfortable, has some performance, good visibility, etc etc and it if they keep the price reasonable, it will sell.
If it is a 50k+ car, then it is DOA. Keep it at a starting point of 25k and you will sell so many.
I bought my base camaro for 14.4 in 1994. That’s roll up windows, 5 speed manual with no power locks. Its still fun to drive with only 160 hp. Adjusted for inflation that would be 31k now. 25k is a pipe dream.
Helped my grandson get a 24 with the LGX and the 10 speed, it has been rock solid, sounds great climbing through the R’s, and is averaging 21.5 with it so I know he isn’t constantly smashing the skinny pedal through the floorboard. He loves that thing and paid it off in just over a year, it is a great car that I enjoy driving too!
Please, just let the Camaro die and let it be over with. It will never return in the form that we lusted for and loved. GM killed Oldsmobile…they killed Pontiac…Saturn & Hummer…Buick has pretty much been turned over to the Chinese…they’ve killed everything that isn’t a truck or SUV (thanks, Corvette for hanging in there and Cadillac CTx have another year or so).
Damn, it sucks getting old.
Make it an updated modern refresh of the John DeLorean designed 1970 to 1981 Camaro / Firebird and that’ll be a looker… (one of the most attractive cars of the modern era)
Nobody’s ever gonna win which car is better, your either Mustang or Camaro both have had good and bad years, Fox body mustang and the iroc-z both 1992 models and I’m happy
The fate of the Camaro should be customer driven and not by an individual at the corporate level. I bought the last year 2024 Camaro because I had purchased two previously (1967 and 2010).
Put a muscle car guy on the Camaro Team, and let’s build the next generation with power.
’67 SS 396 4 speed
’73 Z28 auto
’98 Z28 auto convertible
’24 2SS auto convertible
With my limited income, I’ve done my part to keep them alive. I still have all except for the ’67 😪
The newer camaros were great. Superb handling, stylish retro looks. BUT GM SCREWED UP THE FRONT GRILL. That killed the sales.
Stupid site —- WHY??? —- because my actual email is “[email protected]” and each time I try to post a comment, I get the response that “you cannot use that email – use another one” WHY !? that’s MY email !!!!!! 🤬
Yes she single-handedly did knock the Camaro out of the park I never seen one commercial neither did anybody else and most people didn’t even know Camaro had a 4-cylinder Turbo they would have purchased if they have known
Wow there are some crazy’s on here, justifying the green new scam on the world was a lucrative hoax on its citizens, so the politician scumbags can continue to extort money from a false narrative.
Has anyone asked people who supports EV’s, How are they gonna charge their vehicle up when they’re blackouts? Were you gonna go to get power? I imagine you’ll be asking your neighbor who drives a gas vehicle and a normal brain for a ride and I think it would be funny if they just said sorry you’re on your own.
EV’s are not high-tech. It’s just electric motors, what makes it high tech is the computer systems that’s installed that will give the government and corporations the ability to track every place you drive, how many people you carry. comments you say in your vehicle and the ability to shut your car down by remote. You think this tech is not already installed in GM vehicles? GM Onstar has battled lawsuits for invasion of privacy, allowing to Feds to Cartap your system to record your conversations. This is no different than what they’re doing in China to their people.
In my opinion, EV’s are just a fad like Bell bottom blue jeans. One morning you’re gonna wake up and ask yourself. Why the hell did I buy into this crap.
Enjoy your freedom while it lasts patriots.
EVs instead of ICE vehicles is a “concept” being sold to reduce carbon emissions. It’s true at a vehicle level, BUT, the manufacturing processes used to strip the surface of the Earth to get the rare materials to produce the batteries is WAY more destructive to our planet than Gasoline & Diesel production and use.
In the case of blackouts, I doubt anyone with an EV really cares where they are going to charge it. Keeping the refrigerator and furnace working (generator) is a much higher priority.
I’d be happy to help lower Carbon Emissions by riding a 50cc gas powered scooter most places. But only if EVERYONE is doing the same. I once watched a Smart Car almost get toppled into the ditch by the air currents from a tractor trailer passing it at 70mph. I then vowed I’d never drive a vehicle “much” smaller than everyone else’s.
If everyone(anyone) was concerned about privacy 99% of the world would not carry/use a cell phone 24/7. Social Media is the worse plague our world will ever see. Imagine the gazzillions of hours each day wasted on social media instead of doing something that could actually be construed as productive. Talk about brain rot!
I’d like to see another performance sedan come back, like my 2014 and 2017 Chevy SS. A sedan like the SS could fill the void of both the Camero and the Chevelle. Make a 2 door and a 4 door version, put engines in them that range from the 4 banger to a fire breathing V8. There’s so much more versatility in a model like that than there is just a 2 door Camero.
I do love Camaros but I do like Steve’s alternative suggestion. The “Chevy SS” was incredible. Why everyone didn’t want one is beyond me. Weren’t they Holden based? Maybe import restrictions their sales.
I also thought the Cruze should have, or could have, been used as a base for a decent performance car. Maybe not a honkin V-8 but the LGX would have worked outstandingly.
The 2014-77 SS was a fine effort -especially the 2015-17 6 speed manual and the dual mode equipped 2016-17.
IMO, it just looked too much like a Malibu. Gear heads knew that what beneath the skin was not at all similar to the milk toast Malibu, but John Q. Public didn’t.
Back to the topic of the next Camaro, some people here will be very disappointed.
Chevy….look at all the replies; tell me there’s no desire for the camaro !
Talk is cheap. Did enough people buy them? I agree that the advertising was nearly non-existent.
Why can’t the Panther name be used on the Blazer EV, and have the Blazer name become a mid-size off-roader with either a hybrid V6, a V8, or EV?
There is no way that GM would be unintelligent enough to force an EV Camaro on us enthusiasts especially after how we all seen how much the Challenger EV has failed, and major discounts were given just to get rid of the car from dealerships. The idea of making the Camaro smaller and more agile is a great idea. When GM slimmed the Camaro down from 5th gen to 6th gen, it COMPLETELY transformed the car. I drive a 6th gen 2.0L Turbo Camaro, and the way this car handles is unreal. It’s feels so light and nimble, it’s such a joy to drive and throw around corners. The idea of turning the old heavy muscle car into a certified sports car was one of the best moves GM has ever done. I’m holding on to my 6th gen 2.0L Turbo until the 7th gen comes out. By then I would most likely get the V8, unless they give us a 2.7L Turbo… I’ll decide when the day comes. But I would REALLY REALLY love to see the 2.7L Turbo used in the new Camaro. 4.8s 0-60 in the Cadillac CT4 with the 2.7T is just crazy, in a lighter car like the Camaro, it might even get down to as low as 4.5s 0-60. The sub 4s 0-60 from the V8 is amazing, but there’s just something really satisfying about the turbo, especially when you can feel the boost come in.
GET RID OF THE V6 in the 7th gen Camaro. Give us the 2.7L Turbo and the 6.2L V8. That’s all we need. Give us the 10 speed automatic in both engine options. Give us the same suspensions and brakes in both the engine options. Make them both with the same internals with only the engine options being different. It will save money in production and make both engine options very appealing. Those who dont want to daily drive a V8 will be more interested in the turbo if the suspension and braking were exactly the same. Make them both as good as can be, with just a engine preference as the choices!!!!