[newmoon]

Once again we have poor sales for the new generation Camaro. I believe it has nothing to do with the car itself, it's the result of pricing a well equipped SS north of 45k. Most folks I know just think this is simply too much to spend on a non-special SS model, regardless of the performance.

When you look over at Ford for a few thousand more you can buy a GT350, one of Ford's most famous sought after models.

Chevy better rethink the pricing on the 1LE, Z28, and ZL1 models or they could soon be collecting dust on dealers lots as well.

[68fbjjz109]

Originally Posted by ChevyRules

But we shouldn't have expected the Camaro to be cheaper than the Mustang just because there are two other products riding on the same platform. The Camaro is paying for the ATS/CTS. It's not the other way around.

I seriously doubt that is the actual business case for platforms. That is very very unsound, but it may be true to a point.

More than likely GM set a profit target. It's as simply as that. The savings garnered from a flexed vehicle are substantial. However maybe to poor sales of other vehicles, resulted in a higher profit target. Or they just decide not to pass the savings on to the consumer.

Because the only thing the Camaro team is likely paying for is Camaro specific things. Engine is coming from a power train group, they probably really only have serious say on air induction, and exhaust routing.

Transmission is sourced, just a line item. So while those are major expenses for the vehicle. They don't cost near what you would think in the big picture of vehicle components.

From the otherside, I just don't think there was enough of a departure in the styling department. But GM is quick on the refresh side, They did a few in the last couple of years for their trucks. So that is a good thing about keeping alot of hold back on the profit side. You can fund changes for errors.

[merlin803]

Originally Posted by suzook

A lot of people thing the gen6 is ugly, so maybe that is affecting the sales numbers. Its a good possibility.

I haven't ran into any, in fact, I have had more strangers come up to me in the few months that I have had the 6th Gen to tell me how much they like it then in the 4 years that I had a 5th Gen.

There may be some that thinks it is "ugly", it is a subjective thing, but I think it is a very small minority.

[2011shelby]

Originally Posted by ThatRedFirebird

I honestly think a ~$1500 MSRP price cut across the board would make a large difference, but I doubt that would ever happen. All promotional stuff should also be done with the car (and it's LEDs) on to emphasize that, since I think that's the most obvious visual difference.

On second thought, what promotional stuff? Outside MotorTrend I haven't seen any.

They've been discounting them at our local dealer for at least 6 months.
1250-1750 off MSRP.

Still not moving many.

Some part of it is oilfield related work is a majority over in our area, and cheap gas prices tells the tale how work is right now.

[suzook]

Originally Posted by merlin803

I haven't ran into any, in fact, I have had more strangers come up to me in the few months that I have had the 6th Gen to tell me how much they like it then in the 4 years that I had a 5th Gen.

There may be some that thinks it is "ugly", it is a subjective thing, but I think it is a very small minority.

I agree, as I have had random people coming over to me asking about all the time. But if you go on the Gen5 forum, ALOT of them think its ugly.

[Posaune]

Originally Posted by merlin803

"it is indicative of larger problems." Or, they changed their business model and you are comparing apples to oranges.

And the third shift was "announced" in January but according to this article had not been implemented yet as of April -

http://gmauthority.com/blog/2016/04/...t-goes-online/

Also, note the part about:

"However, even with poor numbers from Cadillac, the Camaro has been a saving grace. Since the 2016 Camaro moved to Lansing last summer, the plant was able to rehire the 450 employees it laid off in January of 2015.
“We continue to see the positive effects of General Motors’ continued investment in Lansing,” said Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero. “We knew the Camaro coming to Lansing meant big things, and it does – jobs, jobs, jobs.”

If GM has not indicated that they are worried and they HAVE indicated that they changed their business model for Camaro's......

You should re-read the article and note it was published April 7th.

"GM hired 500 new workers in January to add a third shift to meet increasing sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro demand. Employees were trained over the winter and officially instated this past Monday."

That means third shift has been running since April 4th, just shy of two months ago. A quick, nationwide search of cars.com shows 19,183 2016 Camaros available. Factory has been building and inventory is building...quickly. But GM has changed the business case and expected much lower sales.

[ChevyRules]

Originally Posted by 68fbjjz109

I seriously doubt that is the actual business case for platforms. That is very very unsound, but it may be true to a point.

More than likely GM set a profit target. It's as simply as that. The savings garnered from a flexed vehicle are substantial. However maybe to poor sales of other vehicles, resulted in a higher profit target. Or they just decide not to pass the savings on to the consumer.

Right that is what I meant in terms of what role the Camaro is doing. It will enable GM to hit that set profit target/ROI( return on investment) timeline. If it was just ATS/CTS, ROI would probably take longer and who knows if the bean counters would approve the Alpha platform if it would take too long to get a good ROI of development on it.

While GM probably didn't forecast the sales collapse of the ATS/CTS, the Camaro was meant to be the one pulling in those necessary profits to justify the platform.

[suzook]

I am wondering if all the 1st yr issues are hurting sales? There are ALOT popping up. Maybe people are waiting for the 17's??

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by suzook

I am wondering if all the 1st yr issues are hurting sales? There are ALOT popping up. Maybe people are waiting for the 17's??

I doubt it.

There really aren't that many...and the only way you'd know is to visit a forum like this one. The population of buyers who do that...aren't enough to affect sales one way or another.

[68fbjjz109]

Originally Posted by ChevyRules

Right that is what I meant in terms of what role the Camaro is doing. It will enable GM to hit that set profit target/ROI( return on investment) timeline. If it was just ATS/CTS, ROI would probably take longer and who knows if the bean counters would approve the Alpha platform if it would take too long to get a good ROI of development on it.

While GM probably didn't forecast the sales collapse of the ATS/CTS, the Camaro was meant to be the one pulling in those necessary profits to justify the platform.

It's hard to say for sure. I am not sure how they fund programs. But this is what is personally enticing for me. It's like a game of chess. Between the cars.

[suzook]

Originally Posted by Mr. Wyndham

I doubt it.

There really aren't that many...and the only way you'd know is to visit a forum like this one. The population of buyers who do that...aren't enough to affect sales one way or another.

While i cant argue your point about it possibly hurting sales, I can argue all the issues. There are ALOT. Oil pickup, broken toe links, bad paint, broken NPP,noisy rear ends, headliners peeling back, usb connectors bad, seat recliners stuck, trunk alignment/ chipped paint, rattles in interior.......DO i need to go on??? Thats alot as far as I am concened.

[greg72982]

I must have bad taste in cars or something. Loved the 04-06 GTO and got one. Not a big seller for GM. Love the 6th gen Camaro, same thing.

I like it though because it means you won't see alot of them. People buy Mustangs like crazy and I think the new version is kind of ugly, particularly the back of them. The model before it wasn't bad though.

[andrec10]

Originally Posted by newmoon

Once again we have poor sales for the new generation Camaro. I believe it has nothing to do with the car itself, it's the result of pricing a well equipped SS north of 45k. Most folks I know just think this is simply too much to spend on a non-special SS model, regardless of the performance.

When you look over at Ford for a few thousand more you can buy a GT350, one of Ford's most famous sought after models.

More like 20k more with the ADM fees most dealers are charging.

[SuperSound]

Originally Posted by andrec10

More like 20k more with the ADM fees most dealers are charging.

And the fact the "base GT350" is no more. Now it's a $55k starting point. The defection of sales are in the 1LT and 2LT Camaros if anywhere.