article: Why the New Camaro Will Fail

[DevilsReject97]

Let's see...

Priced to start under 25k? Check
Retro design that most people love? Check
Equal or better performance to the Mustang/Challenger? Check
Quality HP in both V6/V8 models? Check
Insurance companies willing to insure at good rates? Check

Watching someone look like a complete a$$ in the national media? Priceless


If the guy want's to get it right, he should have wrote this article on the new Challenger and not the Camaro...

[E.T.]

Unfortunately, he was right about the gas prices:(

[2010SLVRBULIT]

someone should tell this mis-fortune teller to quit using a bowling ball to predict the future...

[TOMS1SS]

Wow looking back this article alot wrong....albeit using logical facts. The reason the GTO failed wasn't because it was a great car, but the fact it looked like a jelly bean and was poorly marketted from the get go. Further the GTO has a V8 only car was never going to appeal to the wide base of customers any pony car can with an option with a V6 in the low 20s.

Back in 2007 the GTO was one of the three cars I considered purchasing, the other two being a Mustang GT and Solstice GXP. Out of the three the GTO was dynamically the best of the three cars and its errie how similar it drove to the Camaro SS. Had I not decided to buy a house I would have gone with the GTO, I regret my decision to this day.

The Camaro while being a Zeta sedan mutant such an overwhelmingly better car than its competitors when GM brought it back in 2010. While the Zeta platform could not handle like the Mustang it had the sheer power to overwhelm it easily and ultimately forced Ford to abandon the old 4.6L. The Challenger is the real car out of the three Pony Cars that was rushed, being based off the giant sedan LX platform and really can't compete except by how it looks.

The problem that killed the Camaro and the Firebird back in 02 was that GM didn't want to put any money into developing these cars. GM assumed that there was no customer base for a cheap, powerful and affordable RWD coupe.....boy did get that one wrong. The demand for the Camaro was so much more than anyone anticipated the only way GM can fail with this car again is if they repeat paste mistakes and don't spend the R&D dollars on making it better.

[halo8hkk]

i bet you he feals stupid now.

[THATS NO M00N]

Here's a link to a recent article about the Camaro by the same guy. Sounds like he's fighting hard to try to prove he wasn't wrong.

http://epautos.com/?p=2030

[fbodfather]

I am SIMPLY DELIGHTED BEYONE WORDS...............

............that someone dug this thread up!


A word of caution: Let's not all pile on by sending him scathing notes - that does no one any good and makes us all seem like heathens...........

That said: I just sent him a note inviting him to come and meet many of you!



Here's a copy I just sent.............


Dear Mr. Peters -

On June 21 of 2006, you wrote an article entitled "Why The New Camaro Will Fail" --

In light of your thoughts back then, I'd like to cordially invite you to attend one of two events this year . I hope you will see that rather than 'failing' - the Camaro has been a success! It's important to understand WHY it has succeeded - and WHY those who have bought one (we have many who have bought two or three!) -- or desire to buy one -- find the car so captivating.

The first event will be held April 15th and 16th at Firebird International Raceway. The name of the event? The Second Annual Camaro5Fest sponsored by www.camaro5.com. Last year, we had 585 new Camaros show up at the first event in Valdosta, GA. This year? Who knows, but I can assure you that it will surpass 585!

The second event will be held June 10 and 11 -- the "Ontario Nationals" sponsored by the Ontario Camaro Club. The location will be at the GM Assembly Plant in Oshawa, Ontario. (Tours on Friday)

I ask you to consider making a soujorn to one of these trips because I really want you to see the passion and enthusiasm these new Camaros create from their owners. Great design and engineering DOES sell cars - not everyone wants a car that is an "appliance." Moreover, you might find that people from all walks of life are buying new Camaros - and LOVING them. I've been in this business all my life - and I have never seen the level of passion and enthusiasm that these new Camaros create. (..........................did I mention that the Camaro outsold the perennial favorite - the Mustang - easily - and this with only a coupe available - no Convertible!)

So -- I do hope I'll hear from you - and I look forward to spending some time with you should you be able to attend.

Warm regards,

Scott Settlemire

[King Mouse]

Love it!...... and my car!

[DarkneSS]

Ahahahah OWNED

[Revo1]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

I am SIMPLY DELIGHTED BEYONE WORDS...............

............that someone dug this thread up!


A word of caution: Let's not all pile on by sending him scathing notes - that does no one any good and makes us all seem like heathens...........

That said: I just sent him a note inviting him to come and meet many of you!



Here's a copy I just sent.............


Dear Mr. Peters -

On June 21 of 2006, you wrote an article entitled "Why The New Camaro Will Fail" --

In light of your thoughts back then, I'd like to cordially invite you to attend one of two events this year . I hope you will see that rather than 'failing' - the Camaro has been a success! It's important to understand WHY it has succeeded - and WHY those who have bought one (we have many who have bought two or three!) -- or desire to buy one -- find the car so captivating.

The first event will be held April 15th and 16th at Firebird International Raceway. The name of the event? The Second Annual Camaro5Fest sponsored by www.camaro5.com. Last year, we had 585 new Camaros show up at the first event in Valdosta, GA. This year? Who knows, but I can assure you that it will surpass 585!

The second event will be held June 10 and 11 -- the "Ontario Nationals" sponsored by the Ontario Camaro Club. The location will be at the GM Assembly Plant in Oshawa, Ontario. (Tours on Friday)

I ask you to consider making a soujorn to one of these trips because I really want you to see the passion and enthusiasm these new Camaros create from their owners. Great design and engineering DOES sell cars - not everyone wants a car that is an "appliance." Moreover, you might find that people from all walks of life are buying new Camaros - and LOVING them. I've been in this business all my life - and I have never seen the level of passion and enthusiasm that these new Camaros create. (..........................did I mention that the Camaro outsold the perennial favorite - the Mustang - easily - and this with only a coupe available - no Convertible!)

So -- I do hope I'll hear from you - and I look forward to spending some time with you should you be able to attend.

Warm regards,

Scott Settlemire

We'll see if they let his Mustang through the gates

[Tigg]

Originally Posted by THATS NO M00N

Here's a link to a recent article about the Camaro by the same guy. Sounds like he's fighting hard to try to prove he wasn't wrong.

http://epautos.com/?p=2030

Here is the response I posted to that article:


You wrote a similar article to this back in 2006 and I found that article as full of conjecture and opinion if not wishful thinking as this one is.
If I say it is going to rain today eventually I will be right but I look like a fool every day until it does. None the less time is on my side and at some point my predictions will come true. It has been almost five years you have been predicting the demise of the fifth generation Camaro. Don't stop now eventually it will happen. Time is on your side. Don't mind if we chuckle at your expense in the interim and laugh out loud when we see the "see I told you so article"..

[ron10]

very interesting reading this old post.just goes to prove how wrong people can be.you could sure tell he was a stang type of guy.

[67 Convertible]

But the thing that will drive a stake through the new Camaro's hood, deep into its small-block heart, is the polarizing, hyper-macho cod piece styling.
If the production car ends up looking like the show car that's been in every buff magazine and all over the news, it will be the belly flop heard 'round the world.

LOL...............I love this line. Funny how statements from 5 years ago can still come back to bite you....

[FenwickHockey65]

Just another "automotive journalist" who thinks he knows about the industry by reading Wikipedia articles and going to a car show.

What an idiot.