[thePill]

Here is something to think about:

Oshawa can produce 450 Camaro's a day, seeing that the maximum capacity is about 10,700 a month (previously stated to be 18,000) that means the plant operates 23-24 days a month. Even running 31 days a month, Oshawa can only push 13,950 using that same formula.

If 30% is the target production rate for the convertibles, that would leave room for 7,490 coupes to be produced a month. Out of those coupes, 40% or 2996 are V6 equipped (I think V6 sales are closer to 50/50 now) leaving 4494 1SS/2SS production a month. That totals 53,928 V8s coupes, 35,952 V6 coupes and 38,520 V6/V8 convertibles can be produced.

Grand total production is 128,400 at maximum capacity all year long (hard to do)... Generally, GM sells only 70% of what was produced meaning CY11 sales would be 89,600... 8,301 Camaro's more than 2010. Vert sales would contribute to a 10% total sales increase from 2010, a 30% sales volume at 26,880 sold which is a a HUGE 23% of the entire US convertible market... and that is very, very good and probably some what unrealistic .

But... If coupe sales continue to hold steady at an 11% decrease year over year for CY11 and not fall more than 11% (not likely), it will bring the total sales number down by 9886 units in total sales or 79,714 total sold in 2011.

This number is without the Z28 of course but if the coupe sales continue to decrease, it will mitigate any increase the convertible has on total sales. On the other hand, if all of the 38,520 2011 convertibles are sold, it would raise the count up to 91,354, 43% of Camaro sales volume and 33% of the US convertible market (again, its some what unrealistic) but I highly doubt every convertible will sell, especially after the initial release has died down and seasonal market patterns interfere with sales of that type of vehicle.

I guess it could be done, the 2005 Mustang sold 44,065 convertibles (a 26% production volume) to claim the number one spot with 14.8% of the vert market in '05. Although, total production and sales were 160,000 Mustangs and convertible sales back then were alittle over 300k opposed to the current 115k (or 2% of 5.77 million car sales) from last year.

Edit: Something I found while poking around google, only 41,000 new convertibles were sold and registered in 2009... Now I understand why GM chose to hold off on the convertible, I was told it was because of a rag top distributor went under. Hopefully total sales increase on drop tops this year...