Top sellers, May '09...including the Pony cars!

[Payman]

Ford F-Series: 33,381
Chevy Silverado: 31,463
Toyota Camry: 31,325
Toyota Corolla: 23,576
Honda Accord: 22,597
Honda Civic: 20,723
Ford Fusion: 19,786
Chevy Impala: 18,709
Nissan Altima: 18,408
Ford Escape: 16,391

Mustang: 8812
Camaro: 5463
Challenger: 2695

[Byteme]

Considering the Challenger and Camaro are new so there is pent up demand plus the newness factor while the Mustang is an old design, I think the sales numbers show the Mustang, as usual will remain the top seller.

[ifcar]

Considering the Challenger and Camaro are new so there is pent up demand plus the newness factor while the Mustang is an old design, I think the sales numbers show the Mustang, as usual will remain the top seller.

Chevrolet is selling as many Camaros as they're building so far. But yes, for having by far the lowest price, the Mustang will likely continue as the big seller of the three.

[Payman]

Chevrolet is selling as many Camaros as they're building so far. But yes, for having by far the lowest price, the Mustang will likely continue as the big seller of the three.

The dealers can't keep a Camaro for more than a day or two.

[GoCougs]

Considering the Challenger and Camaro are new so there is pent up demand plus the newness factor while the Mustang is an old design, I think the sales numbers show the Mustang, as usual will remain the top seller.

The Camaro sold out in May however, and had 14,000 pre-orders prior.

During the first run of the GM F-body (Camaro/Firebird, '67-'02), it in total outsold the Mustang/Capri.

[r0tor]

seems as if the balance of nature has restored itself to normalcy...

[Vinsanity]

seems as if the balance of nature has restored itself to normalcy...

Indeed.

The Impala's appearance on the top 10, along with the absence of the Malibu, reminds me of a Dan Neil article in the LA Times about how the Impala's relative success compared to the Malibu - in spite of the Malibu being a better car - is going to hamper GM's progress in becoming a competitive carmaker.

[GoCougs]

The Impala however is a fleet queen with 50-55% in such sales.

[SVT32V]

The Camaro sold out in May however, and had 14,000 pre-orders prior.

During the first run of the GM F-body (Camaro/Firebird, '67-'02), it in total outsold the Mustang/Capri.

Any numbers on a yr by yr basis.

[the Teuton]

Indeed.

The Impala's appearance on the top 10, along with the absence of the Malibu, reminds me of a Dan Neil article in the LA Times about how the Impala's relative success compared to the Malibu - in spite of the Malibu being a better car - is going to hamper GM's progress in becoming a competitive carmaker.

The Impala is a really nice, basic large car.  It gets 30 mpg, or more, on the highway, comes with power windows, seats, and all of the basic power things the Malibu doesn't come with, has a standard 3.5L V6, and it costs $22k before incentives.

The Malibu may be better designed, more refined, and more modern, but it's more expensive for the same level of equipment.

GM designed itself into a pickle.  Here's what I would do if I were them:

-Keep the Malibu and make it better.
-Turn the current Impala into the "Impala Classic" and sell it as a fleet special.
-Turn the G8 into the new Impala/Lumina.

Boom, problem solved.

[ifcar]

It's been proven clear that there isn't a market interest in the G8. Car guys like it -- though few would actually buy any full-size sedan -- but sales just aren't there. There is an excellent reason GM is not going to keep building it.

[TBR]

It's been proven clear that there isn't a market interest in the G8. Car guys like it -- though few would actually buy any full-size sedan -- but sales just aren't there. There is an excellent reason GM is not going to keep building it.

+1

When is the next Impala due? Should be pretty soon. I imagine it will be based on the new Lacrosse.

[2o6]

The Impala is a really nice, basic large car.  It gets 30 mpg, or more, on the highway, comes with power windows, seats, and all of the basic power things the Malibu doesn't come with, has a standard 3.5L V6, and it costs $22k before incentives.

The Malibu may be better designed, more refined, and more modern, but it's more expensive for the same level of equipment.

GM designed itself into a pickle.  Here's what I would do if I were them:

-Keep the Malibu and make it better.
-Turn the current Impala into the "Impala Classic" and sell it as a fleet special.
-Turn the G8 into the new Impala/Lumina.

Boom, problem solved.

That's a terrible Idea. All G8's come from Australia. If the Chevy were to sell in any kind of number, it'd stress that Australian Plant and likely the car would be expensive.

[ifcar]

That's a terrible Idea. All G8's come from Australia. If the Chevy were to sell in any kind of number, it'd stress that Australian Plant and likely the car would be expensive.

It wouldn't sell. Boom, problem solved.

[TBR]

That's a terrible Idea. All G8's come from Australia. If the Chevy were to sell in any kind of number, it'd stress that Australian Plant and likely the car would be expensive.

Higher volume wouldn't increase costs. For a heavily automated, assembly line operation, maximum production is a good thing.

[2o6]

It wouldn't sell. Boom, problem solved.

Why is the Charger doing (moderately) well, but this wouldn't?

[ifcar]

Why is the Charger doing (moderately) well, but this wouldn't?

Because Chrysler sells Chargers cheap and to fleets. It's the same reason the Impala sells well. No point in bringing in a new model from Australia to try and sell it cheap when they've already got a car that does that perfectly well.

[Vinsanity]

GM designed itself into a pickle.  Here's what I would do if I were them:

-Keep the Malibu and make it better.
-Turn the current Impala into the "Impala Classic" and sell it as a fleet special.
-Turn the G8 into the new Impala/Lumina.

Boom, problem solved.

This "Classic" naming scheme is getting really old. I wish GM would just be bold for once and rename the current Impala "Biscayne" if/when a new Impala comes out. I don't care if I'm not even sure I know how to pronounce it.

[sandertheshark]

This "Classic" naming scheme is getting really old. I wish GM would just be bold for once and rename the current Impala "Biscayne" if/when a new Impala comes out. I don't care if I'm not even sure I know how to pronounce it.

Yes!  And do this:

[SVT666]

Any numbers on a yr by yr basis.

Mustang Production Numbers:

Year   Numbers
1964 1/2   121,538
1965     559,451
1966     607,568
1967   472,121
1968    317,404
1969     299,824
1970     190,727
1971     149,678
1972     125,093
1973   134,267
1974     385,993
1975     188,575
1976     187,567
1977     153,173
1978     192,410
1979   369,936
1980     271,322
1981     182,552
1982     130,418
1983   120,873
1984   141,480
1985   156,514
1986   224,410
1987   159,145
1988   211,225
1989   209,769
1990   128,189
1991   98,737
1992   79,096
1993   114,228
1994   123,198
1995   165,037
1996   126,483
1997   100,254
1998   170,642
1999   126,067
2000   218,525
2001   155162
2002     143,518

Total   6,723,643 (not including 1964-1966)


Camaro Production Numbers:
1967   220,906
1968   235,147
1969   243,085
1970   124,901
1971   114,630
1972   68,651
1973   96,751
1974   151,008
1975   145,770
1976   182,959
1977   218,853
1978   272,631
1979   282,571
1980   152,005
1981   126,139
1982   189,747
1983   154,381
1984   261,591
1985   180,018
1986   192,219
1987   137,760
1988   96,275
1989   110,850
1990   35,048
1991   101,316
1992   70,712
1993   39,755
1994   119,934
1995   122,844
1996   66,827
1997   95,812
1998   77,198
1999   42,098
2000   45,417
2001   29,009
2002   42,098

Total   4,983,826


Firebird Production Numbers:
1967   82,560
1968   107,112
1969   87,011
1970   42,139
1971   53,124
1972   29,951
1973   46,313
1974   73,729
1975   84,063
1976   110,595
1977   155,736
1978   187,285
1979   211,454
1980   107,340
1981   70,899
1982   116,362
1983   74,884
1984   128,304
1985   95,880
1986   110,463
1987   88,612
1988   62,455
1989   64,404
1990   20,533
1991   50,234
1992   27,567
1993   14,112
1994   45,992
1995   50,986
1996   30,097
1997   30,754
1998   32,155
1999   32,209
2000   31,826
2001   21,436
2002   30,690

Total   2,578,461


Total Mustang: 6,723,643
Total GM Twins: 7,562,287

Difference: 838,644

(I couldn't find any accurate production numbers for the Mercury Capri in the timeframe from 1979-1986 when it was based off the Mustang)

[Sigma Projects]

too bad GM decided they didn't care about the Camaro/Firebird in the late 90's to 02. But at least they got the new one.

I don't see how turning a G8 into a new Chevy is considered bringing a "new" car into the states, it would be a f'n rebadge, the car is already here. Just needs a new grill change for god's sake. And the G8 is a damn fine car, better than most of the chevy offerings.

[GoCougs]

Any numbers on a yr by yr basis.

Had this kicking on my hard drive. Formatting sucks, and 2002 is not included:                     
                     
Yr           Mustang   Capri         Camaro   Firebird    
1964        121,583                      NA      
1965        559,451            NA      
1966        607,568            NA      
1967        474,121            220,906   82,560   
1968        317,404            235,147   107,112   
1969        299,824            243,065   87,708   
1970        190,727            124,901   48,739   
1971        149,678            114,630   53,124   
1972        125,093            114,630   29,951   
1973        134,867            96,751   46,313   
1974        385,993            151,008   73,729   
1975        188,575            145,770   84,063   
1976        187,567            182,959   110,775   
1977        153,173            218,858   155,736   
1978        192,410            272,631   187,285   
1979        369,936   110,144      282,571   211,455   
1980        271,322   79,984      152,005   191,340   
1981        181,552   58,946      126,139   70,899   
1982        130,418   36,134      189,747   116,362   
1983        120,873   25,376      154,318   74,884   
1984        135,678   20,642      261,591   128,304   
1985        156,514   18,657      180,018   95,880   
1986        224,410   20,869      192,219   110,463   
1987        159,145            137,760   88,612   
1988        211,225            96,275   62,467   
1989        209,769            110,850   64,406   
1990        128,189            35,048   20,553   
1991        98,737            101,316   50,247   
1992        79,280            70,712   27,567   
1993        114,228            39,755   14,313   
1994        123,198            119,934   45,615   
1995        185,986            122,844   51,730   
1996        126,483            66,827   31,023   
1997        100,254            95,812   30,754   
1998        170,642            77,198   32,157   
1999        126,067            42,098   36,219   
2000        218,525            45,417      
2001        155,162            29,009      

Sub          6,597,025   370,752      4,850,719   2,622,345   
Grand      6,967,777                          7,473,06

[Galaxy]

What happened to the Ram?

[ifcar]

What happened to the Ram?

11th place or so.

[SVT666]

Had this kicking on my hard drive. Formatting sucks, and 2002 is not included:                     
                     
Yr           Mustang   Capri         Camaro   Firebird    
1964        121,583                      NA      
1965        559,451            NA      
1966        607,568            NA      
1967        474,121            220,906   82,560   
1968        317,404            235,147   107,112   
1969        299,824            243,065   87,708   
1970        190,727            124,901   48,739   
1971        149,678            114,630   53,124   
1972        125,093            114,630   29,951   
1973        134,867            96,751   46,313   
1974        385,993            151,008   73,729   
1975        188,575            145,770   84,063   
1976        187,567            182,959   110,775   
1977        153,173            218,858   155,736   
1978        192,410            272,631   187,285   
1979        369,936   110,144      282,571   211,455   
1980        271,322   79,984      152,005   191,340   
1981        181,552   58,946      126,139   70,899   
1982        130,418   36,134      189,747   116,362   
1983        120,873   25,376      154,318   74,884   
1984        135,678   20,642      261,591   128,304   
1985        156,514   18,657      180,018   95,880   
1986        224,410   20,869      192,219   110,463   
1987        159,145            137,760   88,612   
1988        211,225            96,275   62,467   
1989        209,769            110,850   64,406   
1990        128,189            35,048   20,553   
1991        98,737            101,316   50,247   
1992        79,280            70,712   27,567   
1993        114,228            39,755   14,313   
1994        123,198            119,934   45,615   
1995        185,986            122,844   51,730   
1996        126,483            66,827   31,023   
1997        100,254            95,812   30,754   
1998        170,642            77,198   32,157   
1999        126,067            42,098   36,219   
2000        218,525            45,417      
2001        155,162            29,009      

Sub          6,597,025   370,752      4,850,719   2,622,345   
Grand      6,967,777                          7,473,06

Could have just used the 2002 numbers that I provided above.

[Cobra93]

Had this kicking on my hard drive. Formatting sucks, and 2002 is not included:                     
                     
Yr           Mustang   Capri         Camaro   Firebird    
1964        121,583                      NA      
1965        559,451            NA      
1966        607,568            NA      
1967        474,121            220,906   82,560   
1968        317,404            235,147   107,112   
1969        299,824            243,065   87,708   
1970        190,727            124,901   48,739   
1971        149,678            114,630   53,124   
1972        125,093            114,630   29,951   
1973        134,867            96,751   46,313   
1974        385,993            151,008   73,729   
1975        188,575            145,770   84,063   
1976        187,567            182,959   110,775   
1977        153,173            218,858   155,736   
1978        192,410            272,631   187,285   
1979        369,936   110,144      282,571   211,455   
1980        271,322   79,984      152,005   191,340   
1981        181,552   58,946      126,139   70,899   
1982        130,418   36,134      189,747   116,362   
1983        120,873   25,376      154,318   74,884   
1984        135,678   20,642      261,591   128,304   
1985        156,514   18,657      180,018   95,880   
1986        224,410   20,869      192,219   110,463   
1987        159,145            137,760   88,612   
1988        211,225            96,275   62,467   
1989        209,769            110,850   64,406   
1990        128,189            35,048   20,553   
1991        98,737            101,316   50,247   
1992        79,280            70,712   27,567   
1993        114,228            39,755   14,313   
1994        123,198            119,934   45,615   
1995        185,986            122,844   51,730   
1996        126,483            66,827   31,023   
1997        100,254            95,812   30,754   
1998        170,642            77,198   32,157   
1999        126,067            42,098   36,219   
2000        218,525            45,417      
2001        155,162            29,009      

Sub          6,597,025   370,752      4,850,719   2,622,345   
Grand      6,967,777                          7,473,06

So basically you're saying that through 2001 the Camaro and Firebird COMBINED barely outsold the Mustang by itself. I think most people already knew that.  

[Madman]

The Impala is a really nice, basic large car.  It gets 30 mpg, or more, on the highway, comes with power windows, seats, and all of the basic power things the Malibu doesn't come with, has a standard 3.5L V6, and it costs $22k before incentives.

The Malibu may be better designed, more refined, and more modern, but it's more expensive for the same level of equipment.

GM designed itself into a pickle.  Here's what I would do if I were them:

-Keep the Malibu and make it better.
-Turn the current Impala into the "Impala Classic" and sell it as a fleet special.
-Turn the G8 into the new Impala/Lumina.

Boom, problem solved.

I really don't see the need for Chevy to make a car larger than the Malibu.  Dropping the Impala would also give more breathing room for Buick which, let's face it, could use all the help it can get.  Offer a stripped-out Malibu to fleets if you must, but leave the bigger cars to Buick.  

Speaking of Buick, I still think the G8 should be rebadged as a Buick Wildcat.  Buick's portfolio is very thin and their showrooms are looking pretty empty, what with only three models to sell (Lacrosse, Lucerne and Enclave for those of you keeping score).  Buick's old geezer image desperately needs some sexing-up and the "Wildcat" certainly wouldn't hurt.  Just slap on a chrome grille and call it a day!

Because Chrysler sells Chargers cheap and to fleets. It's the same reason the Impala sells well. No point in bringing in a new model from Australia to try and sell it cheap when they've already got a car that does that perfectly well.

I agree.  That's why moving the G8 to the Buick Division makes more sense.  GM can sell it as a "premium" product and command a higher price.  Plus, the G8 was never intended to be a big volume seller anyway, so what's the point of trying to sell a niche product through the typical "pile 'em high and sell 'em cheap" Chevy dealer?  Besides, Chevy showrooms are bursting at the seams already.  They've got Cobalts, Malibus and Impalas plus a bunch of tinbox Aveos.  Then there's all the trucks and SUVs hogging up most of the space.  Throw in all the bare-bones plumber's vans and the occasional Corvette and you've barely enough room left to walk, never mind trying to find space for a truckload of G8s.  The G8 would only get lost among all the offerings at a Chevrolet dealer.  In the end, I still say the G8 if a better fit with Buick than with Chevy.


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[SVT32V]

Total Mustang: 6,723,643
Total GM Twins: 7,562,287

Difference: 838,644

(I couldn't find any accurate production numbers for the Mercury Capri in the timeframe from 1979-1986 when it was based off the Mustang)

Absolutely amazing to sell 600K units of pony car a year in 65 and 66.

1.2 million not boring cars, perhaps one of the few redeeming qualtities of the baby boom generation.

I guess this is another problem with GM, they are reactionary rather than groundbreaking.

A pony car sells 1/6 of its total sales in the years that it takes GM to finally come out with an answer.

Sort of like the G8, a great car but in reaction to the 300C/charger, maybe a better car but too little too late.

Now the camaro comes back to fight for the small mustang niche. All of this instead of making a good car/xuv to actually compete in a high volume market and go after the Japanese market share.

Not that I am complaining, Ford would never make a 400 hp Mustang GT unless the camaro was being made and they still haven't done it yet.

[ifcar]

I really don't see the need for Chevy to make a car larger than the Malibu.  Dropping the Impala would also give more breathing room for Buick which, let's face it, could use all the help it can get.  Offer a stripped-out Malibu to fleets if you must, but leave the bigger cars to Buick. 

Speaking of Buick, I still think the G8 should be rebadged as a Buick Wildcat.  Buick's portfolio is very thin and their showrooms are looking pretty empty, what with only three models to sell (Lacrosse, Lucerne and Enclave for those of you keeping score).  Buick's old geezer image desperately needs some sexing-up and the "Wildcat" certainly wouldn't hurt.  Just slap on a chrome grille and call it a day!


I agree.  That's why moving the G8 to the Buick Division makes more sense.  GM can sell it as a "premium" product and command a higher price.  Plus, the G8 was never intended to be a big volume seller anyway, so what's the point of trying to sell a niche product through the typical "pile 'em high and sell 'em cheap" Chevy dealer?  Besides, Chevy showrooms are bursting at the seams already.  They've got Cobalts, Malibus and Impalas plus a bunch of tinbox Aveos.  Then there's all the trucks and SUVs hogging up most of the space.  Throw in all the bare-bones plumber's vans and the occasional Corvette and you've barely enough room left to walk, never mind trying to find space for a truckload of G8s.  The G8 would only get lost among all the offerings at a Chevrolet dealer.  In the end, I still say the G8 if a better fit with Buick than with Chevy.


Cheers,
Madman of the People

It wouldn't work well as a Buick either. Buicks you pay more for luxury, not for handling. The G8 is far from a luxury product. It's premium in a different way.

[Madman]

It wouldn't work well as a Buick either. Buicks you pay more for luxury, not for handling. The G8 is far from a luxury product. It's premium in a different way.

You're missing my point.  Buick desperately needs a DIFFERENT kind of premium product.  They've already got the "Wallowing Barges for Boring Old Farts" market covered.  And as more of Buick's target demographic market is dying off with each passing day, it's a rapidly declining market at that.  Something DIFFERENT is exactly what Buick needs in order to entice people into the showroom who don't require the assistance of a wheelchair!  It is because most of Buick's customers are already six feet under, GM needs to find a way to make this brand relevant to those of us who don't yet qualify for AARP membership.

I think my Buick Wildcat idea could be the first step in reinventing the Buick brand.  Otherwise, if they keep on doing just more of the same, their few remaining customers will all be dead within five to seven years.  The choice is simple, either reinvent the brand or flog it off to the Chinese.


Cheers,
Madman of the People