[garagelogic]

Is it just me or does it seem like it has taken forever to bring the Gen 5 Camaro from concept to production? Here is the timeline I was able to piece together, someone let me know if I am incorrect.

December 2004-GM's Warren Advanced Design Studio begin tinkering with the Gen5 idea.

March 2005-WADS received the GM's blessing to create a Camaro concept.

April 2005-The proportions of the Camaro were fixed and a friendly design competition ensued.

July 2005-Internal competition on the Gen5 design was ended and a concept design was chosen.

August 2005-Work began on building the concept Camaro.

January 2006-Concept Camaro is revealed.

August 2006-Production of the fifth-generation Camaro was approved.

March 2009-Production of the Gen5 Camaro begins.

If my information is correct, that means it took GM 39 months from the reveal of the concept to producing a production vehicle. Ford revealed the concept S197 Mustang on it's new platform in January 2003 and production of the actual vehicle began in September 2004, only 21 months later.

The reasons for this long, drawn-out production have been stated many, many times on here, so there is no reason to rehash the "we wanted to make sure we built the absolute best Camaro ever" defenses. Personally, I think GM coming so late to the pony-car game is only going to hurt them in the long-term. In fact, you better get your Camaro now, because I have a feeling they won't be around more than a model-year or two.