How sweet it is to trounce Mustang.
Chevrolet Camaro extended its lead in the U.S. sports car segment in February, posting 6,482 total sales.
This is a 21% increase when compared to January results and easily outpaces the original pony car, the fading Ford Mustang at 5,115.
Year-to date, it’s Camaro, 11,853 in sales and Mustang at 9,862.
More importantly from a trend line point of view, Chevrolet Camaro has now outsold the Ford Mustang for nine consecutive months – while being production constrained all the way.
Ford seems to be taking a “wait until next year” attitude?
GM’s Oshawa, Canada, Assembly Plant has been running Saturday overtime since June 2009 to keep up with demand for Camaro.
Where, oh where, is now retired Ford sales executive Bob Rewey, when Ford needs him, Mustang aficionados might ask?
Overshadowed by an upstart from a bankrupt company? "Rewey" the day...
With this ongoing rout, there is no doubt that Rewey, who arguably moved more metal than any other Ford sales executive since Lido Anthony Iacocca, would be on the phone with key dealers and pushing through the packages and promotions that would — at the very least – let Alan Batey, the new vice president, sales and service at Chevrolet, know that this ball game is going into extra innings.
Ford did not respond to our requests for clarification and comment, basically the same approach it’s taking in the marketplace.
Moreover, it’s not only the Mustang in Camaro’s rearview mirror. Such formidable competitors as the Nissan 370Z, at 1,372 sales YTD and Dodge Challenger, 3,828 YTD, are eating Camaro dust as well.
All told, customers have bought about 75,000 Camaro models since it was launched in early 2009. Chevrolet says demand continues to hold steady even in winter months, traditionally, a trough for rear-drive sporty cars of any flavor.
Moreover, of course, the long delayed Camaro Convertible has not yet appeared.
Synergy Special Edition, starting at $26,790, is based on a Camaro 1LT, with a 3.6-liter direct injection V6 engine.
What is just coming into dealer showrooms is a Camaro Synergy Special Edition in “limited quantities,” which will continue through May — limited no doubt by the number they can build for one of the hottest cars on the market.
Synergy Special Edition, starting at $26,790, is based on a Camaro 1LT, with a 3.6-liter direct injection V6 engine and either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
The V6 delivers 304 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque, and returns up to 29 mpg on the highway, but only 17 mpg in the city. (Click Here.) The equivalent Mustang arrives next year.
In addition, following Synergy Camaro, a Camaro SS will pace the Indianapolis 500 at the end of May. (Click Here.)
“Traditionally, we expect to see a dip in sales for rear-wheel-drive performance cars over the winter,” says John Fitzpatrick, Chevrolet Performance Cars marketing manager. “But, demand for Camaro shows no sign of slowing down, particularly in the Sun Belt”
Texas, California and Florida account for, oh, 25 % of all Camaro retail sales and six of the top ten U.S. dealers for Camaro are located in Texas, which in spite of lingering sentiment is actually part of the union.
Chevrolet claims that Camaro continues to attract new buyers, with 50% of them trading in brands X.
“We’re beginning to see owners of performance cars like Mustang and 350Z trading in their cars in to get behind the wheel of a Camaro,” says Fitzpatrick. “To me, that’s an incredible testament of the appeal, and performance, of Camaro.”