Big in Japan: Chevrolet Camaro reportedly already sold out in Nippon
2010 Chevrolet Camaro - Click above for high-res image gallery
Sales of the born-again Chevrolet Camaro have been notably strong in its first few months on the market here in the United States, even beating its longtime crosstown rival from Ford in June and July.
Now, word comes from General Motors Asia Pacific that the Bowtie's latest muscle car is a hit (of sorts) in Japan as well. We must qualify the term "hit," as the car's total number of takers in Japan is very small, at "over 120 orders" – we could see at least that many within eyesight at any given time last weekend at the Woodward Dream Cruise. However, that's reportedly the American automaker's quota for Japan, although it isn't clear if the tiny allotment is part of General Motors' brand strategy or if the volume is limited by local government regulations. Either way, if you live in Japan and you want a new Camaro, you'd better put your name on Chevy's list for next year.
According to Inside Line, the new Camaro is expected to sell in Japan for the equivalent of $45,325 to $56,390, depending on the buyer's choice of either the six-cylinder or muscular V8 powerplant.
Gallery: 2010 Chevy Camaro
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Level 6:45PM (8/18/2009)
I guess the transformers movie did help with Japan sales after all lol....
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Red 8:33PM (8/18/2009)
Not quite as much as one would think. Believe it or not, the Japanese have an affinity to "American muscle". A lot of it has to do with their fascination with the history of muscle cars. They feel the Japanese manufacturers lack a lot of that history in particular models. I met a design student from Osaka who practically drew everything with a muscle car influence. It was really cool.
Tyler 9:09PM (8/18/2009)
People in Japan buying American cars? Since when does that happen?
Ray 9:37PM (8/18/2009)
I lived in Japan for just over a year and saw lots of American cars. I saw a pretty sweet late 60s Trans Am that was in immaculate shape, and a rad lowered Silverado driven by a guy wearing a polo shirt with pot leaves all over it. They like American muscle cars, you'd be surprised if you went there.
Coolio 8:16AM (8/19/2009)
"volume is limited by local government regulations"
We give them tax breaks to set up plants and let them invade our market, and this is the thanks we get.
Jim 10:28PM (8/18/2009)
What really baked my noodle was that the most common american car I saw in Japan was... the Chevy Astro/GMC Safari van.
Bloke 8:49AM (8/19/2009)
"People in Japan buying American cars? Since when does that happen?"
You either understand the realities of this world, or you spend your life listening to the self-obsessed propaganda spewed up by American right-wing fanatics. As someone else has stated, the Japanese have long held a curious affinity with many things American. 1950's rock n roll for example still has a huge following. Driving an American muscle car - especially one in LHD - is popular with Japanese enthusiasts, and the likes of the Ford Mustang have been on sale in Japan for many years.
dukeisduke 9:48AM (8/19/2009)
Jim, I've read before that the styling of the original Scion xB was inspired by the Chevy Astro/GMC Safari, since they were so popular in Japan. So there you go.
Frank 12:30PM (8/19/2009)
Astro/Safari sedans have a cult like following over there. Just goes to show you everyone has different tastes. RHD Jeep Cherokees have been sold there too.
Carlos 6:50PM (8/18/2009)
Peter Sellers, "Being There." Infantile, yes. Retarded, no. You went full retard, man. Never go full retard.
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Venom 6:56PM (8/18/2009)
Dude, seriously.
Ritalin.
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Grand Dayum! 6:57PM (8/18/2009)
Dude, chill out. There are more problems with your comment than I can shake a stick at. First of all, Cadillac makes a great product. Secondly, the XLR is built on the Corvette's platform (two great products there). The Camaro is built off the same platform (Zeta) as the Holden Commodore and the Pontiac G8 IIRC. Not even close to the XLR. Thirdly and finally, the Camaro is a fantastic car in any trim level, and one that performs very well at that.
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artso06 7:05PM (8/18/2009)
Go look at the challenger? are you on crack. The challenger is the cheapest of the bunch with a parts pin interior. Grand Dayum summed up the correct answer. But your ignorant comments are just mind blowing, actually kinda funny/
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M7 7:05PM (8/18/2009)
if it have the holden chasis it must be somthing decent finaly...about the engine...GM still have work to do
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Jim 7:07PM (8/18/2009)
"about the engine...GM still have work to do"
Oh? How's that?
Mez Jr 7:26PM (8/18/2009)
What's so terrible about the engine? The fat torque curve, the smooth power delivery, the easy modability, the light weight?
Ray 9:42PM (8/18/2009)
Not to mention the one of the smallest V-8s in external dimensions, fantastic power output for it's weight, extreme ease of adding better and more powerful parts and really good mileage if you drive it right. Who else makes a V-8 that you can change the cam without removing the heads? What was the last V-8 made by Chevrolet that you've seen? The 265 made back in the 50s?
Jim 7:07PM (8/18/2009)
y'all got trolled by a 12-year-old, guys.
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Jim 7:09PM (8/18/2009)
" However, that's reportedly the American automaker's quota for Japan, although it isn't clear if the tiny allotment is part of General Motors' brand strategy or if the volume is limited by local government regulations."
little from column A, little from column B, and no doubt affected by being wrong-hand-drive for Japan.
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tankd0g 8:11PM (8/18/2009)
and the width of two lanes of traffic in Tokyo....