Broken Record: Camaro outsells Mustang for third straight month
We'll have our monthly By the Numbers post ready in a jiffy, but one thing that stood out after glancing at the monthly automotive sales figures is that the Chevy Camaro has outsold the Ford Mustang for the third month in a row. While it's still a bit too early to call this an official trend, it's clear that there was a significant backlog of demand for GM's latest muscle car. That much was a given with The General reporting over 10,000 advance orders for the car before it even hit dealer lots.
We're not exactly shocked that the Camaro – with 8,680 total sales vs 6,289 for the Stang – is selling at a healthy clip, but it is a bit surprising to see the Mustang drop over 23 percent over the previous year. After all, Ford's pony car was heavily refreshed for the 2010 model year and has received excellent reviews from the motoring press, ourselves included. Perhaps some Mustang intenders are holding out for the expected 400+ horsepower 5.0-liter, 32-valve DOHC Coyote engine or turbocharged EcoBoost V6? Time will tell...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Patrick 5:35PM (9/01/2009)
Duhhh. Everyone is waiting for Coyote. And there hasn't been a GM offering in the segment in 5 years. Is this so surprising?
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vipercookie 5:54PM (9/01/2009)
"Duhhh. Everyone is waiting for Coyote"
If the car with the engine you want comes out next year, why would you buy something else, and not just wait till next year.
Joe K. 6:00PM (9/01/2009)
@Viper: I think he said they were waiting for next year. Hence why their numbers are low, not why Chevy's are high.
vipercookie 6:10PM (9/01/2009)
Sorry, I didn't think of it like that.
geo.stewart 6:13PM (9/01/2009)
probably has more to do with no competition last year. that its only dropped as little as it has speaks to the improvements.
clearly there was pent up demand but lets see what the numbers look like next year before we declare camaro a 'winner'.
clearly, based on myriad articles, the mustang is the only attempting to keep the pony car flavor rather than move up to the muscle car aura
Tyler 10:36PM (9/01/2009)
The only reason why it's selling so much is because hype from the Transformer series and that it's a brand new car, rather than the Mustang which people don't really care about anymore. And I doubt the average non-gear head knows about a new engine option for 2011, or even cares about the performance as much as their car will turn heads. The Mustang is definitely the better car which makes this ordeal sad and I haven't seen one new 2010 GT on the road yet but plenty of '10 V6 convertibles, while I continue to see Camaro SS's after another.
MikeofLA 5:36PM (9/01/2009)
Is there a break down of what the biggest decrese is? Are less V8 mustangs being sold. Are the V6s suffering as well?
I like to think that V8 buyers know a little more then the run of the mill V6 buyer. Most potential V8 buyers may know about the Coyote and 6 speed, and thus are holding out on their purchase. I for one, am doing the same, unless they have the EcoBoost... I'd be happy saving 5 or 6 grand and still getting a 340+ HP TT coupe with a 6 speed manual.
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Tom 7:26PM (9/01/2009)
Giveeee meeeee ecoboost.... must... have...
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KeatMP 5:37PM (9/01/2009)
Considering most opt for the v6 over the v8, I wouldn't necessarily put all of the blame on the Coyote. I would say the 304hp v6 the Camaro offers is stealing some of the v6 business away from Ford.
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Big Mola 6:36PM (9/01/2009)
Having driven a few rental V6 Mustangs (2010 models), I don't know why anyone would waste his money on one. Get the V8!
merlot066 9:07PM (9/01/2009)
I'm sure some people will also be waiting for the 3.7L V6.
Willie 5:41PM (9/01/2009)
The thing with the Mustang is that it has never went away like the others. There are plenty of them available on lots for sale and it's a cool "common" car. Unlike the other two muscle remakes which are brand new and have a lot of built up consumer demand. Although I love the Mustang (Old and New), I still would buy a Challenger if I had the funds.
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Erik 5:44PM (9/01/2009)
"Although I love the Mustang (Old and New), I still would buy a Challenger if I had the funds. "
I feel the exact same way.
Rboyett 5:43PM (9/01/2009)
My local dealer called me when the first Grabber Blue 'Stang hit his lot. I told him to check back next year. Everyone had already found out about the 2011 'Stang and the 5.0. Why on Earth would anyone want the 2010 model?
I just hope the 2011 doesn't become a fat pig like the Camaro and Challenger are.
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Jim 7:53PM (9/01/2009)
Why would it? They just did a moderate re-design, d'you think it's going to put on 400 lbs just from an engine upgrade? I guess if they were stuffing in the Scorpion diesel, maybe, but the Coyote should be lighter than the blown 5.4 in the Shelby.
Patrick 8:52PM (9/01/2009)
It won't. Trust me. The coyote is prob 50 pounds lighter than the current 3v. Factor in the TR6060 and it will probably weigh about the same as the 2010.
And the 3.7 V6 has been confirmed for 2011. So there will be a much better option for the V6 buyers, and renting a V6 Mustang might actually be fun for once! Lol....
snark mcgee 5:43PM (9/01/2009)
August car sales are disappointing, considering C4C.
News outlets are trying to spin it as good news (best sales month all year!), but the truth is sales were poor.
September is going to be scary, kids.
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ROG30Y 5:48PM (9/01/2009)
I like the mustang better,but like most i have talked am waiting for the 5.0 to come out...
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charles jackson 5:48PM (9/01/2009)
The Mustang in my opinion is the better choice, but I also like the Challenger and Camaro!
I just dont like the back of the new Mustang!!!!!!!!
The back end with its "ducktail" does nothing for the car, the old style 2008 looks alot better!
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Matt 5:49PM (9/01/2009)
Anyone that buys a (2010) Mustang has something wrong with them. The Mustang is lackluster enough...but with the boat anchor, carryover engines and transmissions...the 2010 is nothing more than a reworked body...kinda like the 2009 F-150.
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