Will Mustang Sales Dive Of 45% Influence Camaro Powertrains? V6 May = 27MPG

[Perian]

Link: Edmunds.com

Source: Ford Motor Company
Mustang Sales
May 2008: 9,633
May 2007: 17,478
Percent Change: -44.9

SANTA MONICA, California — Rising fuel prices be damned, GM is not giving up on its plan to launch the much-anticipated 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. What it may continue to fine-tune however, is the Camaro's powertrain options and its approach to marketing the new performance muscle car.

"Everyone thinks we'll be positioning the Camaro as a burn-ass hot rod," said Mark LaNeve, GM's vice president of sales and marketing. "But that's only about 30 percent of the business. The other two-thirds will come from 27-mpg V6 sales, with a significant female share."

LaNeve also said that GM is "not operating under the assumption that fuel prices will go down," and that Chevrolet is "looking at plans for a four-cylinder" for the Camaro, "but we don't have it done yet."

[Perian]

Question to the many Camaro intender's on this site:

Will $4 to $5 gallon gasoline hinder your purchase plans?

[minnfang]

As I posted in another thread...

Mustang sales -44.9%.

Boom!!! $4.00 gas is the atomic bomb that has ended the muscle car war.

[CamaroCrazy]

No it will not. For me, I've accepted the fact that gas is going to be expensive, especially when considering I'll likely have to put premium into a 6 or 6.2 liter V8 engine. I've budgeted for it and compensated for it in other ways; for example, my daily commute is 5 miles one way with few stop lights or thick standstill traffic, and I don't spend a lot of money on things my co-workers have, such as the latest and greatest plasma TV, Playstation 3, or whatever. I've put my priorities on this car.

High gas prices stink, but I'm sorry, I've tried driving small 4cyl. FWD cars. I used to have a 1996 Cavalier. I've test driven the new 4cyl Malibu. Too small, too slow, too dull. I just can't resist V8 RWD cars. Therefore, I have to pay the price, and I accept that. I'll take my 2010 Camaro SS/Z28 in Hugger Orange with dual white stripes, thank you

[osv_alero]

I wonder if it is as much marketing as it is actual gas mileage. Please are not wanting to drive those type of cars now days because of the image they portray.

Funny, the gas guzzling BMWs and Mercedes are still "cool" to drive.

[Bruce_Lee]

Originally Posted by Perian

Question to the many Camaro intender's on this site:

Will $4 to $5 gallon gasoline hinder your purchase plans?

Yes, I will. I am not sure if I'll be happy with the V6. Once the MPG for the V8 is relased, I will decide wether to get the V6 or V8; But buy one I WILL.

(Note: Unless I die before it's released).


BL

[kyvrwc]

No, it will not but I was always planning for my Camaro to be a weekend toy, not my daily driver. If I was planning to have to use it for my daily commute 5 days a week, I'd have to think seriously about getting a V-6. Of course, my current vehicle is a 2003 4.3L V-6 S-10 that gets 19 mpg on the highway if I'm really, really stingy. I'm planning to keep it when I buy the Camaro and would still be using it for my commute. A V-8 Camaro with cylinder deactivation might actual be a lot better since most of my daily commute is on the Interstate. Maybe I'll drive the Camaro more than I've been planning!

[kodos78]

They typically target buyers in a different demographic. A $20k V6 Pony Car is in a different league.

Originally Posted by osv_alero

I wonder if it is as much marketing as it is actual gas mileage. Please are not wanting to drive those type of cars now days because of the image they portray.

Funny, the gas guzzling BMWs and Mercedes are still "cool" to drive.

[kodos78]

I get 25mpg on the highway if I'm stingy with my supercharger! I think your Camaro will get better mpg than the truck .

Enjoy it!

Originally Posted by kyvrwc

No, it will not but I was always planning for my Camaro to be a weekend toy, not my daily driver. If I was planning to have to use it for my daily commute 5 days a week, I'd have to think seriously about getting a V-6. Of course, my current vehicle is a 2003 4.3L V-6 S-10 that gets 19 mpg on the highway if I'm really, really stingy. I'm planning to keep it when I buy the Camaro and would still be using it for my commute. A V-8 Camaro with cylinder deactivation might actual be a lot better since most of my daily commute is on the Interstate. Maybe I'll drive the Camaro more than I've been planning!

[MarkSS]

Yes, the current state of the industry will influence my purchase plans. It feels like 1970 right now (even though I wasn't alive then), the peak of muscle cars that took 20 plus years to return. I plan to do what it takes to buy whatever the top line Camaro is, and then plan to keep it for a long, long time while everyone is forced to 3 cylinder hybrid green cars. Plus, the V8 will probably get 24mpg on the highway anyway, my 99 SS Camaro did better than that.

[PontiacBixler]

44% dive?

How about because the Mustang's reputed "retro" styling is indeed its major failing? The Mustang is looking oooooooooooold now. They are all over the roads and the V6 models aren't really the most pleasant on the eyes.

Think about this, which Mustang gets your attention on the road and makes you grab a second look? The base V6 'Stang or a GT/Shelby GT model?

If the V6 Camaro can come out swinging with a MPG highway of 27-30, GM will have a winner no matter what. If I lived in a better climate I would get one as my daily commuter. Now if the V8 can swing for the fences and hit 24MPG, you won't be able to keep enough of them in stock.

I really don't think the "Muscle Car" era is truly dead. It's all in how you drive the cars. If you want to have a lead foot then sure blow through your gas like it's water, but for those of us who appreciate the design and demeanor of the vehicle while having the ability to tear ass down the road every once in a while, then these cars will have a long life.

[Supernoma]

05+ Mustang is old and busted, Camaro and Challanger will be the new hotness. They will probably see the same sales slump 3-5 years after their introductions too.

Same thing happened to PT Cruiser, Solstice, VW Beetle, etc

[kodos78]

If it's any consolation to us Ford guys, the Camaro will look old when it comes out thanks to GM fatiguing us with it for 3 years. There will be a Mustang refresh for 2010 anyhow.

If the G8 GT gets 15mpg/24mpg EPA, then I would think the V8 Camaro could too.

The problem though is perception. You would be amazed by the coworkers over the years who were shocked at the mpg that my V8 cars (Mustang/TransAm/Corvette) got. There is this perception that a "hot rod" is going to get crummy gas mileage. When this is not necessarily true.

Also, if people are inclined to be 'green', then peer pressure alone will keep them from these cars.

I sure hope not, because I think this is a pretty exciting time for these types of vehicles. If things do go sour, I am going to make sure that my GT is in top shape, it may be a future classic!

Originally Posted by PontiacBixler

44% dive?

How about because the Mustang's reputed "retro" styling is indeed its major failing? The Mustang is looking oooooooooooold now. They are all over the roads and the V6 models aren't really the most pleasant on the eyes.

Think about this, which Mustang gets your attention on the road and makes you grab a second look? The base V6 'Stang or a GT/Shelby GT model?

If the V6 Camaro can come out swinging with a MPG highway of 27-30, GM will have a winner no matter what. If I lived in a better climate I would get one as my daily commuter. Now if the V8 can swing for the fences and hit 24MPG, you won't be able to keep enough of them in stock.

I really don't think the "Muscle Car" era is truly dead. It's all in how you drive the cars. If you want to have a lead foot then sure blow through your gas like it's water, but for those of us who appreciate the design and demeanor of the vehicle while having the ability to tear ass down the road every once in a while, then these cars will have a long life.

[mpsrent]

Pony car enthusiasts will buy the Camero, Challenger and Mustang but fuel will certainly impact the masses. I suspect that the longer it takes to introduce a car the samller the potential market will be. All indicators suggest that high fuel costs are hear to stay and the North American car market is undergoing a major change.

As one person noted on another thread, vehicles that even appear to be fuel hungry are no longer in style. As much as I love pony cars (I was only a child first time around), the fact remains that the masses will not share our passion.

[slowinthefastlane]

There was $3500 cash back on the Mustang GT (or $2500 with 1.9% for 3 years) over the Memorial day weekend. I have to admit, I almost bit even though I'm not a Ford guy. $3500 buys a lot of gas.

I'm thinking that if I want to buy a Camaro, it's going to be well into 2011, since I will want to wait until the drop-top comes out and the dealer gouging subsides. I think even with gas prices the way they are, there's a huge pent up demand for the car. Around where I live, 2002 V8 Camaro convertibles are still going for $15-$18k used as long as they have less than 80k miles on the clock.