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Apex Paul · 11-12-2009, 06:57 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'.

11-12-2009, 06:57 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'.