Topic: Camaro Still Outselling Mustang

[Mike]

I don't overly buy the 'pent up demand' argument either.  Although initial sales would have been for that, a lot of Camaro enthusiast dismiss this car as not being a 'real f-body'.  They prefer the older, lighter car that easily takes engine swaps and rear end swaps.

Mustang buyers would have bought Mustangs in those 8 years and Camaro buyers would have kept their 4th gen Camaros or bought something else.  Both would be in the same position lusting after the new versions of their favourite pony cars in 2011.  If anything, I think retention is just as strong of an argument.  A Mustang guy who had a 98 Stang, then a 2005 Stang is probably ready for a 2011 Stang.  A Camaro owner who had a 98 Camaro, but then was forced into something else when it went out of production in the mid-2000's (Impala, CTS, Charger, etc?) may like the trade-offs in their new ride better and is not inclined to get a new Camaro/Coupe/Pony Car.


Another factor I believe in its strong selling is how much the V6 looks like the V8.  We all know at least 2/3 of these cars are V6's.  With the car looking the exact same as the faster/fancier version, it may entice more sales; even the rims are the same.  The Mustang in 2011 has finally done this as well with V6 looking a lot like the GT for the first time in a long, long time.  Take a look at how much more pedestrian the SXT Challenger looks then the R/T or SRT-8.

[TopGun]

^^I know.  But the topic was "why".

Well count me as surprised on first blush...especially given there has been no Camaro Convertible.

I'm of the opinion that the answer is styling.  To the general public, the Mustang hasn't changed much since 2005, despite the huge leaps forward made in interior quality and suspension in 2010, and engines in 2011.

Here's a 2005 vs 2011:

[SaskSpecV]

A Mustang guy who had a 98 Stang, then a 2005 Stang is probably ready for a 2011 Stang. 

True, but what about the 2006, or 2007, or 2008 Mustang buyer?  They probably are not yet ready for a new 2011 Mustang, despite the vastly improved powertrains.  And while I applaud Ford's comprehensive mechanical overhaul for the 2010/2011 Mustang refresh, it really doesn't look all that much different than the 2005 - 2009 body style.  So the 2005 - 2009 Mustang owners may not have quite the visceral desire to buy a new one - at least not yet.  But will they return to to the Mustang?  With the improved performance, I woul think it is likely.  Now with the Camaro, anybody who has wanted a new one since 1998 had no choice but to buy a 2010 or 2011. So yes, there was/is pent up demand there.  But what happens when that demand is then satisfied - will Camaro sales hold up?  The real question should be, what are the sales numbers over the lifetime of the vehicle - not just the first couple years after the model is introduced.  This is especially true for sports coupes (though maybe not pony cars?), which have a significant dropoff in sales after the initial "newness" of the style wears off (Eclipse, RX-8, Tiburon, etc.).  If in 2014 the same-gen Camaro is still outselling the Mustang, then my argument is sunk - it really will have been the more popular/successful vehicle.  But I suspect once the dramatic exterior styling of the Camaro becomes a little older, sales may not hold up as well.

[dr_spock]

Why?  Maybe the Transformers movies. 

[No H2O]

I've hardly seen any Camaros on the road, one a week, if that. So I guess they're not selling many new Mustangs either.

[RunsinLight]

In what planet is this? I've only seen a 3 or 4 of new Camaro on the road, ever. 

[Turbo Bob]

In what planet is this? I've only seen a 3 or 4 of new Camaro on the road, ever. 

I see 2 or 3 in Waterloo every day.  Planet RIM. 

[CatsEye68]

I'm of the opinion that the answer is styling.  To the general public, the Mustang hasn't changed much since 2005, despite the huge leaps forward made in interior quality and suspension in 2010, and engines in 2011.

I think you may be right. The Camaro styling is certainly eye-catching. Of course the rest of the car is poorly designed with zero visibility, an absolutely horrible interior and excessive size and weight. No way could I live with one. The Mustang is a much more useful package with comparable performance that would be far easier to live with in the real world.

[Snowman]

Many Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger sitings in Oakville...in the land of BMW, Audi, and MB.

[Schmengie]

I see far more Mustangs than Camaros on the streets here, Challengers not so often. The Camaros are driven mostly by men in the 60+ age bracket, the Mustangs overwhelmingly by women and the Challenger seems to be the choice of younger men.

[Erik]

See Camaros pretty well ever day now. Just seem to notice them more than Mustangs.