Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, LA Auto Show, Spy Photos, Coupes
Inside Line: Camaro to see production in 2009
Well, that didn't take long. The din of the marching band has barely died down from today's press conference, and Edmunds Inside Line is already citing anonymous supplier sources as saying that the Camaro will put down long, inky stripes come 2009 on the strength of today's unveiling. But it wasn't just the espresso-soaked press pool's clamoring today that may have made the difference. Concurrently with the concept's unveiling in Detroit, General Motors pulled the sheet on its crimson alter-ego at the Los Angeles Motor Show to similarly good effect.
That this news comes so hard on the heels of the car's debut also likely means one (or more) of the following is true:
- General Motors kept tabs on the torrent of 'build it, already!!' comments that appeared in web forums worldwide when shots of the concept leaked in advance of today's debut.
- GM took note of the similar response afforded DCX's Challenger when its photos hit the internet well in advance of its NAIAS unveiling.
- The General was so sure that they had a hit on their hands during development that they green-lighted it earlier and are just now letting the word eke out.
- General Motors is spawning these rumors itself (or 'allowing' them to happen) in order to gauge America's reaction to the news and base Camaro's production hopes on said feedback.
- By jumpstarting this dialogue among enthusiasts and consumers, suppliers (or Edmund's own scribblers) are looking to wag the dog into birthing a new pony.
Regardless, the rumor mill is officially open for business.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
roadside observer 10:45PM (1/09/2006)
No production until 2009??? Damn, talk about late to the ballgame!! Mustang and Challenger will have LONG been out of the gate by then!!
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Voz 11:01PM (1/09/2006)
Well i just hope it looks as cool as the concept. And there are no major changes from the concept to production model.Besides i am a mopar man so i would have my hands on a challanger by then. But to be honest i love the fact that all 3 american companys put something out there that would take peoples eyes off the japanese cars and to look love drive american again.
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Christian 11:04PM (1/09/2006)
Hehehe...2009 is too funny. Congrats on not having a volume performance car for the BETTER PART OF A DECADE. You bowtie-wearing clowns. I'm so sick of hearing about the vaunted LS1 engine; how the Z/28 always spanked the Mustang GT. Didn't save the F-body did it? Affordable mustang had the right niche and kept on rollin', not minding. They sold 2004s and 2005s concurrently and didn't miss a beat.
Nice one GM. Well, at least you have the unforgettable Aztec to remind you of what you accomplished in the first decade of the 2000s. -C
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russell 11:11PM (1/09/2006)
chevy need's to hire chip fuss, to design the 69 camaro, it need to look like a 69 camaro not something from outer space, GM wake up! hire someone from chrysler , the challenger, is gonna kick major butt in sale's, if i can't get a nice camaro , i will have a hemi in my garage, thank god for the corvette division
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JD 11:20PM (1/09/2006)
2009, I'll lose my hard-on way before then. Out of the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger. I'd buy the Camaro just for the looks. But by 2009 I'll have something else.
NO WONDER GM IS GOING TO FAIL!!!
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Scott 11:20PM (1/09/2006)
Why bother? This is the same scenario as the 60's when the other makes scrambled to match the success of the Mustang, yet which one lasted through it all? The Mustang.
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TargetFaux 11:21PM (1/09/2006)
#4 GM did hire someone from chrysler.. in fact he designed the HHR for chevy.
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hamed mehr 11:34PM (1/09/2006)
Wow...too little way too late. It still looks like you need a mullit to drive the thing. Why are you taking steps backwards GM? I mean with all the debocle that is going on, why not be an innovator and not an immitator? WOW! Ford already beat you to the punch...and the success is already worn out. Hey, here is a crazy idea, why not redesign the dang thing and give it rebirth? Every Camaro model is ugley...EVERYONE of them. Why not create an attractive one...Jesus, you do so well with the Corvette, it is a shame to see how bad you fail with design on the Camaro everytime. Tisk Tisk, Ford wins again. The Mustang was perfect on timing and design. You guys are trying to bring back MC Hammer parachute pants if you intend to launch this thing in 09'.
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hamed mehr 11:35PM (1/09/2006)
Wow...too little way too late. It still looks like you need a mullit to drive the thing. Why are you taking steps backwards GM? I mean with all the debocle that is going on, why not be an innovator and not an immitator? WOW! Ford already beat you to the punch...and the success is already worn out. Hey, here is a crazy idea, why not redesign the dang thing and give it rebirth? Every Camaro model is ugley...EVERYONE of them. Why not create an attractive one...Jesus, you do so well with the Corvette, it is a shame to see how bad you fail with design on the Camaro everytime. Tisk Tisk, Ford wins again. The Mustang was perfect on timing and design. You guys are trying to bring back MC Hammer parachute pants if you intend to launch this thing in 09'.
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Dennis 11:48PM (1/09/2006)
GM hasn't made anything that I would buy in years, and that includes the corvette! Why spend my hard earned money on something that looks sooooo wrong (the new camaro) and likely is of lesser quality? GM continues to blame their workers and unions, but the product decisions rest with management. No wonder GM is in trouble, their management is too arrogant to listen to we mere customers!
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Dodge Challenger Concept 12:15AM (1/10/2006)
The horsepower wars are definetly heating up, and thats a good thing for us consumers who are interested in high horsepower applications.
I'm glad to see GM (and DCX) both targetting the pony car market to compete with Ford. Personally, I think the Challenger is a better looking vehicle, but its also not as 'futuristic' so it may grow "old" quicker, who knows.
http://www.challengertalk.com
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bgdc 12:24AM (1/10/2006)
Bad idea. It'll bomb. GM will never learn...
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AM 12:52AM (1/10/2006)
The car looks fantastic. I'd take it over a Mustang any day. Hopefully they won't tone it down much for mass production (see, e.g., the entire back half of the '05 Mustang).
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kevin 1:26AM (1/10/2006)
haha i think its funny how all these people are already threatened by the camaro and it hasnt even come out yet. oooo the camaro went out of production because it wasnt good enough. or maybe ford did such a good job convincing 16 year old girls and their moms that v6 stangs are the "in" thing that it helped keep them going. like it or not its comming back and will dominate once again. if you have an issue, grab a tissue.
let the lame ass responses begin...
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vehi4me 1:33AM (1/10/2006)
For # 7:
You probably have a Mullet and you had the M.C. pants too.
Now then, as far as the CAMARO goes the only ones that had problems with looks were the gaudy ones in the late 70's. AND THEY STILL LOOKED GOOD!
The new Camaro for 2009 looks great. It combines 60's looks with good handling. GM is also looking for input from the public, not just deciding it'll work like Ford did it. The Mustang deserves its praises agreed, but the Camaro will always remind those of us that grew up in the 70's what real muscle was about. OR DID YOU FORGET ABOUT THE MUSTANG II ?
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vehi4me 1:38AM (1/10/2006)
For # 7:
You probably have a Mullet and you had the M.C. pants too.
Now then, as far as the CAMARO goes the only ones that had problems with looks were the gaudy ones in the late 70's. AND THEY STILL LOOKED GOOD!
The new Camaro for 2009 looks great. It combines 60's looks with good handling. GM is also looking for input from the public, not just deciding it'll work like Ford did it. The Mustang deserves its praises agreed, but the Camaro will always remind those of us that grew up in the 70's what real muscle was about. OR DID YOU FORGET ABOUT THE MUSTANG II ?
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Ron Jordan 2:12AM (1/10/2006)
This ride looks sweet, the first round will go in collector stables. I would love to buy one if ? so some one please tell me that chevy does not donate to the a.c.l.u. or g.l.a.d. please !
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Chris 2:15AM (1/10/2006)
Well from the looks of this concept it finally happened. GM has realized that what this country needs is a new version of, in my opinion, the greatest muscle car ever. Some might say, "well look @ the mustang, it's still around." Yeah it is, so what. Just because it's still here doesn't make it the best. If you look @ GM history, they're always a little late to the party, & it's better to come late than not @ all. The 'vette came out after soliders startted bring their MG's and Triumphs back from the war. Mustang came in 64, Camaro in 67. Cadillac was "never" going to get in the suv business, & now I can't throw a rock & not hit an Esclade. It's not that GM sees the success that everyone else has, it's that they see what they have to do to make the better of it's competitors. From what I have seen, it looks like they've done it again. Well done GM, when this car makes production look forward to seeing my money real soon.
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Jemtec 2:28AM (1/10/2006)
The front end is way too aggressively pointed and out of character.
Needs to be flat like a 67-68.
Hidden headlights maybe?
It doesnt really "feel" like a retro Camaro.
The Challenger does.. The new Mustang does too.
Its alright to copy some design cues, but the front end is really poorly excecuted.
If they build this, I know I wont be able to warm up to it.
Just drop the ugly front facia, and follow suit like the competition and you might get some attention.
Otherwise, dont bother.
Waiting till 2009?
Are you KIDDING me?
Always late to the party.
GM will you EVER learn?
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Jeff 3:01AM (1/10/2006)
I'm a die hard GM fan. And I too believe they dropped the ball. Again. Hire Chip Foose. Get it into production FAST. Too little, too late is right. They didn't learn with the SSR. The Challenger has my vote. At least they haven't screwed up the Corvette...yet.
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