With the discontinuation of the Imperial Blue Metallic (IBM) hue, the world’s best-selling pony car will soon lose a color option.
The decision to abandon the color seems to stem from the fact that the Camaro shares a paint shop with other vehicles (such as the Buick Regal, Chevy Impala and Equinox) at its birthplace at Oshawa Assembly in Ontario, Canada.
According to Fbodfather on Camaro5 forums:
Because Camaro shares a common body and paint shop with several other vehicle lines at Oshawa, we must abide by decisions that affect more than just Camaro – and thus Imperial Blue Metallic will be discontinued very shortly. Offering it for only a week or so on the ZL1 is not practical as it would require paint re-validation for ZL1-unique components such as bumper fascias. Crystal Red Tintcoat will be available to order shortly. We will have further information as to order cut-off dates for LS, LT, and SS models in Imperial Blue Metallic very shortly.
This means that a blue color will not be offered on any Camaro models in 2012, including the ZL1.
The GM Authority Take
The Chevy Camaro is a stunner no matter its color (that rhymes!). But not offering blue on the Camaro is like not offering white on the 2012 Cadillac SRX. We’d understand if a “rare” color got the boot — such as Synergy Green Metallic, which is no longer offered anyway. Still, discontinuing a mainstay color like blue is the equivalent of taking the “meat” or “potatoes” out of the “meat and potatoes” recipe.
Additionally, we’re somewhat perplexed as to why GM can’t accommodate Imperial Blue Metallic on its state-of-the-art Flexible Assembly Line. In other words, we expect more from a world-class engineering, manufacturing, and logistics giant. And while we’re at it, let’s not forget that Ford offers two blues on its Mustang — which is the only Ford vehicle built at The Blue Oval’s Flat Rock plant. Needless to say, we hope that Imperial Blue Metallic will make a return soon enough.
In the meantime, here are Fbodfather’s thoughts on the matter:
A couple of thoughts………
We never like breaking ‘bad news’ – it’s never our intention to upset our faithful. That said, there are times when we must.
Someone said “it’s sad to see Imperial Blue Metallic go” – and they’re correct…….and it was sad to see many colors go away — over the past 100 years! I was one that loved Ash Gold in the 1968 model year. I hated that it was dropped for the 1969 model year (whoops…Fbodfather is showing his age once again…..) — but the sun came up each day in 1969, and 1970, and 1971……..and I found myself ‘taken’ by Fathom Green and Hugger Orange….and Garnet Red in the 1969 model year. I was sad to see Garnet Red go away– but again, the sun came up in 1970 — and I found Shadow Gray and Autumn Gold……………..
It would be so much easier for the Camaro team (and perhaps you, the enthusiast) if we had a dedicated Camaro Plant……….we’d have more say in just about everything within the plant……….and we wouldn’t have to negotiate with other brands that are built in Oshawa……
…………the problem is that we HAD a dedicated Camaro (and Firebird) plant – and THAT didn’t end well, now did it?
The Reality is that this industry continues to ‘fragment’ – meaning that there are more and more ‘segments’ — and more and more ‘nameplates’ – so even if the size of the ‘pie’ (the total number of new cars and trucks sold each year) stayed the same, the slices (each nameplate’s penetration into the market) get smaller. (and the pie got much smaller back in late 2007– and it’s not growing appreciably as of yet) Sooooo……because of this, it’s vital that many assembly plants take on more than one carline…….because it’s the only way we can make money on some cars and trucks. (we can’t afford to build cars and trucks that we lose money on anymore…..that’s one of the reasons why the Camaro — and Firebird – went away for a while….)
In the case of Oshawa – we have two final assembly lines – that share a common paint shop. We build Camaros, Regals, Equini (that’s plural for Equinox) and Impali. We will now be building the XTS at Oshawa as well.
We must preserve the ‘traditional’ Sport Car colors such as Victory Red, IOM, and Rally Yellow for the Camaro. The problem is that those colors would not be appropriate for the Equinox and the Regal and the Impala and the XTS. (altho we DO offer VR on Impala – but it’s not a big seller…) So……we must work with our other Product Teams to negotiate colors that are acceptable — and being that there are only so many paint lines available, we sometimes lose a color — Someone asked ‘well – what’s it going to be replaced with’ — and I cannot answer that question other than to say that eventually it will be replaced. No – we are not getting a ‘brand new’ set of colors for 2013. Rather, as always, you will see a color go away and another come back……….
and when that happens we will upset some of you.
No matter what we do.
As I’ve said before – If I could suddenly wave a magic wand and provide THIRTY colors for the Camaro – we would still have some infuriated that I didn’t include “Palomino Ivory” or “Tripoli Turquoise” or “Sequoia Green” or “Scottish Silver.”
ha! I fooled you – there was no ‘scottish silver’ – I snuck that one in to see if you were paying attention……
The latest news to upset some happens to be Imperial Blue Metallic.
I happen to think it’s stunning with Silver Stripes……and you are correct that the ‘fire’ in the paint on a sunny day is something to behold……..
………but the sun will come up in 2013 (God willin’ and the creek don’t rise – and some of the prophets are wrong about the world ending on 12/12/11…. )
I can tell you this with absolute certainty:
EVENTUALLY all of the colors will go away………one at a time – replaced with something else. And each time one goes away, we will have those who will mourn the loss.Again – none of us at Team Camaro want to upset you – but unfortunately it’s simply in the nature of the Camaro – a nameplate that instills such passion and love…….
No – colors are not what makes a company go Bankrupt………..and no, the Team does not have its collective head up ……..OK – I won’t continue that response to an earlier post………..
What IS true: The Mighty ZL1 will be worth the wait – even if it’s painted scotch plaid……………
Source: Camaro5
Comments
I have a 2010 Camaro SS that is Imperial Blue Metallic with Silver Stripes and it will now be a true classic!
camaro def needs a blue but the imperial blue is very boring. Why not offer a “hot” Blue like the Blue Topaz from the Cruze on it and the Equinox? Or how about Ascot blue or Mulsanne blue from1972, when, btw, Chevy offered 15 colors on Camaro?
I’ve never really understood the obsession some have with knowing when certain car colours are being offered.
I mean colours are added and dropped yearly for nearly every model offered by every manufacturer. What makes Imperial Blue Metalic so important?
I mean I am particually drawn to Victory Red (RPO 74U), but I don’t really get bent out of shape if it isn’t offered on the latest GM product. I know the colour exists in GM’s design studios; I’ll just wait until it becomes “fashonable” again.
Screw that imposter “Torch Red”, it doesn’t hold a candle to Victory Red. 🙂
Certain people like certain cars in certain colors (that’s a hatrick of “certain”)! In other words, I would only drive a Camaro in Yellow, Orange, or Synergy Green… not offering one of these colors would have me reconsidering spending $30,000+ on a car the color of which I won’t “love”. After all, a Camaro purchase is the most passionate purchase of them all!
My understanding was that Synergy Green was only available on V6 Camaros, is that right?
Correct. Here’s our original article about it:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2010/01/camaro-synergy-special-edition-green-is-the-new-black/
Still one of my favorite colors of the Camary 😉
Incorrect. Synergy Green was offered on V6 in 2010, then across the ENTIRE line in 2011.
Sorry @Rob, I thought you were referring to the Synergy Green package, which was only available on 2010 V6-equipped Camaros. Besides the color, it also featured green stitching on the seats and green interior trim.
For 2011, the color was available — as Sarah pointed out, but not the stitching. Also, it wasn’t available on the convertibles. Apologies for the confusion.
Known at dealers as “No Sell Blue”, it’s not surprising. Let’s hope they don’t bring back Laser Blue, that color was awful!
I take it it didn’t sell all that well…
I can’t speak for the country’s sales, but here in Lake Orion MI putting blue on a Camaro was a kiss of death or dealer trade. Think about it, if you had a choice with your own money, you’d likely have that blue as a “fallback” color at best, and there’s no shortage of red, white, silver, orange, and black.
Again, not accurate. Imperial Blue accounted for almost 10% of Camaro sales in just one calendar year… more than several of the other colors, I might add.
Sarah — do you have some statistics? Are you referring to nationwide sales? Would be interesting to see some numbers…
Henry Ford had the right idea, “any color you want , as long as it’s black”
The Cruze has two very nice blues in the lineup…..Ice Blue and the new Blue Granite. Both of these should be made available on the Camaro.
Sad to see any color choice go but I understand when your talking production and sharing I guess some sacrifices have to be made. How about just having a option of just primer then either you can bring it your local painter and get any color you want . Other choice is to have a special dedicated building the factory that painters could paint the color you want for a heavy optional price if you want
The decision to ax the color is another board room classic Fuckup,First it was Blue Chip from Cadillac , THEN THE MAGNETO RIDE//WHO wants a luxury ride ? now its this color from from the Chevrolet line up. And then they the manufactures wonder why the sales aren’t there ? even in the good times let alone bad times as well. DOPES
This wasn’t a board room decision, but a production line constraint. A color rarely makes or breaks a vehicle, although to your point, the more colors offered, the better (wider its market appeal).
The blue color was replaced by Xenon Blue Metallic, which is better and “more rich” than the outgoing blue. And Magnetic ride control is on the XTS:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2011/11/la-2011-2013-cadillac-xts-is-not-a-dts/
Don’t worry, GM knows what it’s doing… for the most part, anyway 🙂
Sales are quite brisk around here thanks.
Woohoo! I have an Imperial blue 2010 camaro! I love it! The camaro is the best looking car especially with white heritage stripes.
Y
What a sad, sad day when Chevy decided to discontinue the Imperial Blue Metallic. I am looking for one NOW and they are few and far between. This is the ONLY color that really dopes it for me.. the MEtallic in this color rocks! Classy and bitchin’; all at the same time!! PLEASE BRING THIS COLOR BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Note : I stumbled upon DARK Purple Camaro in 1997, which I chose ove the black, which I was so sure I wanted… have only seen 2 others this colors since ’97)… Time for a new one and no colors out there that I Like!!!
Judy how about Blue Ray Metallic? A cousin has a 2013 in that and it’s beautiful.
Thanks for the suggestion, but it just isn;t the same.. I really loved the deep blue, almost black hue to the Imperial blue… Just doesn’t speak the same !!! LOL!!
The Blue Ray Metallic isn’t the same. Less metal flake and more gray than blue. It’s hard to tell its blue. Looks more gray with blue flake. Sad. 🙁
The hot wheels kinetic blue was gorgeous but of course they’re axing that too 🙁
I hate busting your bubble, but I just bought a 2013 Camaro SS in Imperial Blue Metallic. Tradition demands a dark blue Camaro. A very popular color from the ’60s. My vote for a color combo to dump is orange and white. Reminds me of a Cream – Sicle.
Say what?! Imperial Blue Metallic was deleted from 2013 MY Camaros:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/04/rpo-central-2013-chevy-camaro-brings-welcome-changes/
Do you mean Blue Ray Metallic?