Wall Street Journal: Muscle Cars Return - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Apex Paul · 11-12-2009, 05:57 PM

I read an article in the WSJ this morning about how surprised the auto industry is that muscle cars (including the Mustang and Camaro) are selling so well, compared to the general car market.

The article points out that sales of reasonably priced muscle cars like the Challenger and Camaro are up 68% over last October, while most car segments are down double digits.

Marketing manager for Chevrolet's Performance Vehicles, John Fitzpatrick, is surprised that the Camaro has sold so well. WHAT? Their own marketing manager doesn't think his product should be selling so well? That's not a business philosophy I would encourage.

This reminded me of something I saw not long after the whole car industry bailout; someone was interviewing some executive from GM and he was asked if he had any other cars that had the incredible styling of the Camaro and he said... "Have you sen the new Malibu?" And then another where the president of GM North America said with regard to the rebuilding of GM after the bailout; "It's a journey. When the history of GM is written, Malibu will be seen as the first step."

The sports car market is a small part of car sales and it's not going to save anybody from going under, but the reason these cars are selling well is because they are great looking cars that have character and style. I'll be honest, if you took the grills and taillights off of a Malibu and a Ford Fusion I'd have a hard time telling you which one is which. I think if the car industry would put a little more style into their designs that people would respond.

There is a reason that people collect and restore cars like the 1955-57 Belair, the 60's Impala's, the Late 60's Malibu, Camaro and so many others... they have classic good looks. Does anyone really think that 50 years from now they will be at a car show with a frame off restored Malibu?

No offense to the Malibu driver's out there. This is not meant to be a slight toward the quality of the car, and it serves a purpose. But I definitely think that the Malibu of today is stylisticaly nowhere near what it was in 1966.

I'm just sayin'.

SleepWarz · 11-12-2009, 06:04 PM

very few cars made in the last 30 years are worth putting any time and effort into.

I could so someone redoing a 2003 Monte Carlo before a Current Malibu.

68vert · 11-12-2009, 06:07 PM

If car makers build a car that hits high visual, performance, and emotional buttons with buyers, vehicles will sell. Buyers assume that a todays car will have a great crash test performance, a decent interior, modern plugs and ports, etc...but the exterior styling is rule no 1...imho.

Camaro_Custom_Painted · 11-12-2009, 06:15 PM

We Americans have always had a love affair with hot sexy muscle cars. They will always be in our hearts and there will always be a ready supply of buyers of them.

Angrybird 12 · 11-12-2009, 06:15 PM

Was this worth fixing up?
before and after pics

SleepWarz · 11-12-2009, 06:45 PM

Cooper Cobras for the win, I wish they made 20's for my camaro =(

1sickss · 11-12-2009, 06:47 PM

good ad

Angrybird 12 · 11-12-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SleepWarz

Cooper Cobras for the win, I wish they made 20's for my camaro =(

Limited budget...... bought what I could afford...and they serve the purpose...

SleepWarz · 11-12-2009, 06:53 PM

No doubt, I get such a sweet deal on them through my tire guy. I dont even feel guilty when I roast in my tbird. =D

11-12-2009, 05:57 PM	#1
Apex Paul Drives: Wagon Queen Family Truckster Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Louisville, Ky Posts: 1,476	Wall Street Journal: Muscle Cars Return I read an article in the WSJ this morning about how surprised the auto industry is that muscle cars (including the Mustang and Camaro) are selling so well, compared to the general car market. The article points out that sales of reasonably priced muscle cars like the Challenger and Camaro are up 68% over last October, while most car segments are down double digits. Marketing manager for Chevrolet's Performance Vehicles, John Fitzpatrick, is surprised that the Camaro has sold so well. WHAT? Their own marketing manager doesn't think his product should be selling so well? That's not a business philosophy I would encourage. This reminded me of something I saw not long after the whole car industry bailout; someone was interviewing some executive from GM and he was asked if he had any other cars that had the incredible styling of the Camaro and he said... "Have you sen the new Malibu?" And then another where the president of GM North America said with regard to the rebuilding of GM after the bailout; "It's a journey. When the history of GM is written, Malibu will be seen as the first step." The sports car market is a small part of car sales and it's not going to save anybody from going under, but the reason these cars are selling well is because they are great looking cars that have character and style. I'll be honest, if you took the grills and taillights off of a Malibu and a Ford Fusion I'd have a hard time telling you which one is which. I think if the car industry would put a little more style into their designs that people would respond. There is a reason that people collect and restore cars like the 1955-57 Belair, the 60's Impala's, the Late 60's Malibu, Camaro and so many others... they have classic good looks. Does anyone really think that 50 years from now they will be at a car show with a frame off restored Malibu? No offense to the Malibu driver's out there. This is not meant to be a slight toward the quality of the car, and it serves a purpose. But I definitely think that the Malibu of today is stylisticaly nowhere near what it was in 1966. I'm just sayin'.

11-12-2009, 06:15 PM	#5
Angrybird 12 7 year Cancer Survivor! Drives: 17 Cruze RS, 07 G6 GT, 99 Astro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 21,547	Was this worth fixing up? before and after pics __________________ Cancer's a bitch! Enjoy life while you can! LIVE, LOVE, DRIVE... The Bird is the word! Last edited by Angrybird 12; 07-28-2011 at 10:14 AM.

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11-12-2009, 06:04 PM	#2
SleepWarz Banned Drives: 1991 New Yorker, 69 Tbird, ABM2SSRS Join Date: May 2009 Location: BC Canada Posts: 2,248 View My Garage	very few cars made in the last 30 years are worth putting any time and effort into. I could so someone redoing a 2003 Monte Carlo before a Current Malibu.

11-12-2009, 06:07 PM	#3
68vert Drives: 2010 SIM SS/RS, 1968 RS convertible Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 744 View My Garage	If car makers build a car that hits high visual, performance, and emotional buttons with buyers, vehicles will sell. Buyers assume that a todays car will have a great crash test performance, a decent interior, modern plugs and ports, etc...but the exterior styling is rule no 1...imho.

11-12-2009, 06:15 PM	#4
Camaro_Custom_Painted Choke on that causality! Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 645	We Americans have always had a love affair with hot sexy muscle cars. They will always be in our hearts and there will always be a ready supply of buyers of them.

11-12-2009, 06:45 PM	#6
SleepWarz Banned Drives: 1991 New Yorker, 69 Tbird, ABM2SSRS Join Date: May 2009 Location: BC Canada Posts: 2,248 View My Garage	Cooper Cobras for the win, I wish they made 20's for my camaro =(

11-12-2009, 06:47 PM	#7
1sickss Drives: BADDEST SS IN ATL!!!! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Atlanta Posts: 634	good ad

11-12-2009, 06:53 PM	#9
SleepWarz Banned Drives: 1991 New Yorker, 69 Tbird, ABM2SSRS Join Date: May 2009 Location: BC Canada Posts: 2,248 View My Garage	No doubt, I get such a sweet deal on them through my tire guy. I dont even feel guilty when I roast in my tbird. =D