Click above for more high-res spy shots of the "2010" Chevy Camaro
In a case of what appears to be semantics, Chevy has revealed that the Camaro will now be a 2010 model, rather than a 2009 model. The semantic part is that the car will go on sale in the spring of 2009, yet still be called a 2010 Camaro. The reason the car won't go on sale earlier in 2009 is because Chevy says "it would have meant a short model run before changeover to "10 production".
So we aren't sure how the car could go on sale earlier in 2009 unless Chevy began selling it in the rather un-Camaro-like season of winter. We also aren't sure why it matters whether they call it a 2009 or a 2010 -- people just want to take deliveries of their Camaros already. And we aren't sure what sort of apocalyptic upheaval takes places between '09 and '10 production.
Chevy: give us the Camaro. Please. Call it a 5150 or 10,000 B.C. model year car, we're not particular. To paraphrase the Bard, it isn't the model year that will be the death of us, it's the wait for the car. Just so you prospective buyers know, the convertible will go on sale a year later, in the actual year of 2010, and will also be called a 2010 model. Together, Chevy expects to move 100,000 units annually of the revived musclecar, if it ever gets here.
[Source: Ward's Dealer via The Truth About Cars]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Devin @ Mar 12th 2008 3:01PM
Longer for me to save up for it, I guess.
John @ Mar 12th 2008 3:15PM
Longer for me to wait and see if they're going to release a US version of the Holden Coupe 60:
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/28/melbourne-2008-holden-coupe-60-shocks-showgoers/
Craig @ Mar 13th 2008 8:51AM
I still don't get the whole US model year naming of cars. If a car goes on sale in 2008, why the hell is it called 2009 model year vehicle?
You buy it in 2008, your car is a 2008 model year. Simple as that.
Or is it just a stupid marketing thing to make consumers 'feel' like they are buying the future models early? Glad that crap hasn't made it here yet.
Bigbeanz @ Mar 19th 2008 7:48AM
Craig, if you knew anything about cars, you would know the history behind the model year. yes at some point someone put out the model year about a month early to make the customers feel like they were getting the newest thing around christmas time. then it jusst kept getting earlier and earlier. most car companies now release the new model year around march of the preceding year. I.E. the 2009 model year is already out for most car companies now. soon you will be buying your 2020 model year in 2018. thats just how it is.
Tool @ Mar 12th 2008 3:08PM
Wouldn't it have been smart to do a short run of 2009 MY vehicles--this would make them more exclusive and highly desirable--and then shift over to 2010?
If I've read correctly, that's what the new New Chrysler is doing with the Challenger.
Once again, it seems like GM shoots itself in the foot. Just when it seems like they've got their sh*t together, they do something really dumb.
3seriesisking @ Mar 12th 2008 3:13PM
I agree. It seems unlikely that they will be able to hold up the hype they've built up for this car much longer. I mean it seems to me that initially, a lot of people were pretty psyched about the new Camaro, but postponing it until 2010? Seems like a bad move to me.
meshies @ Mar 12th 2008 4:09PM
If GM knew what was really good for them, they would pull a surprise release way ahead of our expectations. Im still thinking they just might pull a fast one on us.
TBlueMax @ Mar 12th 2008 7:09PM
Actually, it is very expensive from a Marketing perspective to generate consumer-focused print media (which already experiences a limited lifespan) for something that is generally considered a huge launch (Camaro), to turn around and have to update that print media for the following model year in just a few months. Same with service manual information, et al.
I would rather see GM do their cost-cutting in ways that do not impact the product or consumer. If they can save a few bucks in marketing by offering a 2010 model for 1.5 yrs, I'm all for it.
Purifoy @ Mar 12th 2008 3:17PM
Watch 'em fool around and eventually end up calling it a 2010-1/2 model.
By that time this thing will be as exciting as watching weeds grow in a vacant lot.
Alex @ Mar 12th 2008 3:23PM
It is a very simple reason why they are doing this. The machines that stamp the VIN on the cars would have to be retooled between '09 and '10 to reflect the proper model year. You jump right into the '10 model year, skipping '09 and you save bucks.
its really quite simple...
PJ @ Mar 12th 2008 3:45PM
But if they're releasing the convertible at the same time of year in 2010 and calling *that* a 2010...
Dunno. Just seems like an awfully dim PR move when people are borderline pissed at the thing for not just getting here already.
Tim @ Mar 12th 2008 3:48PM
There will be no convertible, the car was not engineered for it.
FireStorm @ Mar 12th 2008 3:59PM
no convertable? where are people getting this info?.. the car has been engineered from the start to be viable as a convertable.. the 2007 was a convertable for petes sake.. there will be a convertable
3seriesisking @ Mar 12th 2008 5:57PM
Got any sources there Tim or are you just pulling that out of the air?
Eddie @ Mar 12th 2008 3:23PM
Im a fan, but this is going to be really late. The Challenger will have over a year of production under it's belt, im sure Ford will announce a new mustang by that time and have it in production, also Nissan will have the 370Z by that time.
SayWhat? @ Mar 12th 2008 3:37PM
You're right, Eddie. By the time the Camaro arrives, it'll be like showing up at a party that's already over and everyone has left!
Eric Liberatore @ Mar 12th 2008 3:26PM
Gas should be $5.00 per gallon by the time this hits. What timing.
Jared @ Mar 12th 2008 3:49PM
Exactly. Rich baby-boomer muscle-car fans will buy one. Once those 6,000 folks pay over list price, demand will plummet and GM will be putting $ on the hood to move them off the lots.
It's too bad. Looks like a fun car, but it is about 4 years too late.
FrankTheCrank @ Mar 12th 2008 3:51PM
$5.00? That's a conservative estimate.
Remember, China and India are looking for some of petroleum goodness. And with the sinking dollar, two wars and the housing debacle, who knows what's next?
montoym @ Mar 12th 2008 7:14PM
Why would that be the case? There will be a new president by then. With Bush out of the White House, isn't gas supposed to drop to $0.50/gallon or something? Heck, they might even pay us to use it.
Bush is the cause for all these high gas prices anyhow right???
Most of those gas price predictions have been horribly wrong in the past. Anyone else recall the $5/gal. predictions after Hurricane Katrina that never happened. The list goes on and on.
I wish they'd release this Camaro already, even if it's as a 2009.5 model, just get the damned thing to the dealers.
I honestly think they are stressing about the "retro" interior that is being reworked, but who knows really.