Follow us today...
This is not an April Fool’s Day joke – the Ford Mustang sold more units in March 2016 than the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger combined.
After the Chevrolet Camaro dominated the muscle car sales chart for 5 straight years starting back in 2010 – leading the segment in annual sales every year up to an including 2014 – the folks at Ford were surely ready to see the Mustang back atop the charts. The Motor Company achieved that goal in 2015, when the debut of the then-new 2015 Mustang led to massive sales numbers month after month and by year’s end – the Mustang had claimed the title with a landslide win.
However, that new Mustang was competing with a Chevrolet Camaro which was at the very end of its life cycle, so pretty much everyone expected that the arrival of the next generation Camaro would even the score a bit on the sales chart. However, as we dig through sales numbers for the 5th full month of 2016 Camaro sales, the Chevy has remained relatively flat while the Mustang continues to post gigantic numbers.
Mustang Booms in March
In 2015, the new Ford Mustang had been ramping up the sales numbers from its introduction in late 2014 and by March or 2015, the new model sales boom hit hard – with a whopping 12,663 units sold. This March, sales numbers were down a bit for the Mustang, but with 12,563 new models sold last month, the Mustang continues to sell at a better rate than the Camaro has ever sold since being introduced back in 2009.
For another way of looking at the Mustang’s continued success in the second year of sales for the new model, consider this – Ford sold 9,993 Mustangs in February and 12,563 in March for a two-month total of 22,556. Over the course of the past five years in which I’ve been covering muscle car sales, the Camaro has only sold more than 10,000 units in a month one time – May 2014 – and with 9,043 Camaros sold in April 2014, that was the best two-month sales period for the Chevy in my time covering the segment. In short, in the best two months for the Camaro over the past 5 years, it fell short of the Mustang’s February-March 2016 total by more than 3,100 units. Also, Feb-March 2016 isn’t even the Mustang’s best two-month period in the last five years, having sold 26,760 units in April-May 2015.
In other words, the Ford Mustang has been selling very, very well since the newest generation first went on sale late in 2014 and March 2016 was just the latest beating of the competition, with the Mustang’s total of 12,563 adding up to beat the Camaro and Challenger combined (12,248 total).
Camaro Sales Continue to Surprise
The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro officially introduced the next generation GM muscle car to dealerships and buyers back in October 2015. At that point, pretty much everyone who pays any attention to muscle car sales expected that, like the Mustang, the Camaro would enjoy a big sales spike when the new models hit full force. The next gen Mustang went on sale as a 2015 model in November of 2014 and Ford saw a huge jump in sales. I expected to see that same spike for Chevy, maybe not in the first or second month, but by the time that the new Camaro had reached dealerships across the country. However, with March being the 5th full month of deliveries and a solid inventory of new Camaros at dealerships all over the country, sales have remained inexplicably low.
In March 2016, GM sold 6,879 examples of the Chevrolet Camaro, which includes some “old” 2015 models and a majority of new 2016 models. This marks an improvement of roughly 700 units over February 2016 and, more importantly, it is an improvement of 15.5% over the same month last year. The Camaro is moving in the right direction, but it isnt doing so anywhere near the rate at which the new Mustang sold in its first year.
Frankly, having driven the new Camaro 1LT RS, I truly do not understand why people aren’t buying more of them. The Camaro is better in every way than the version which led the segment in sales for 5 straight years. It blows my mind that more people aren't snatching up the 6th gen models.
The Challenger
The Dodge Challenger was, as it usually is, the third bestselling muscle car in America with 5,369 units sold in March 2016. This marks an improvement of 6% over the March 2016, so as has been the case since the refreshed Challenger was introduced back in 2014 – the Mopar muscle car continues to gradually improve sales numbers.
I still believe that we will see Camaro numbers increase, but it is clear that the popularity of the Ford Mustang isn’t fading in its second full year – so GM is going to have a tough battle to win the muscle car sales race for 2016.
Follow us today...
Comments
The only reason the Mustang
Permalink
The only reason the Mustang is selling better because it's cheaper. That's the facts. The Camaro is better in every way. Including quality. I don't need the backseat.
Well that is your opinion and
Permalink
In reply to The only reason the Mustang by Aprl (not verified)
Well that is your opinion and you are certainly entitled too it. IMO a 2+2 ought to be usable as a 2+2 and I am sure not having a usable back seat is turning away prospective buyers that need or want a functional backseat, it turned me away. I don't think I am the only one as soon as I looked at the back seat the sales guy rolled his eyes because he knew what was coming...
Given the Camaro is a practical 2 seater let's consider your argument in a comparison with a Porsche Cayman? The Porsche is better in every way than a Camaro however it doesn't sell better because it's more expensive. The Camaro is a two seater and it's going to sell like one - low volumes - if it exceeds 4,000 a month next year I'd be shocked.
Fact is expense is what killed the off the Gen 4 Camaro, could well do it again. And BTW the other aspect that turned me off the new Camaro was it just looks too plain, when I first looked at it from where I was standing I thought it was a Honda or a Scion or something. When I drive up on a new Mustang my kids immediately just stare and say "cooooool...."
Well my bff has a 2015 v6
Permalink
Well my bff has a 2015 v6 Mustang and we go everywhere. Not once has anyone said nice car. But in my red Camaro everyone compliments it. And if you look at the 2015 fusion inspired front end, a lot will say to you they like the 2014 way better. It just LOOKS like a Mustang. I am sorry but it's the plain Mustang that turns no heads. Of course for a 2 door fusion it really would be a nice car. Ford is behind Chevy for now. But I'm sure in just a few years with a redesign, lighter car. more horsepower. Ford will catch up. The V6 Camaro is amazing. It has got awards. The Camaro is Motor Trends car of the year. What did Mustang get in 2015? Oh and magnetic ride for v8s, Amazing. Its still about price. 4k over a Mustang. But I have and would gladly pay 6k if it meant not getting a carried over v6 engine.
That's your opinion, you're a
Permalink
In reply to Well my bff has a 2015 v6 by April (not verified)
That's your opinion, you're a chick so perhaps they are just trying to get in your pants, thought of that? It's a real thing. While true Ford is going for design unity among all their cars the Mustang is distinctly different, and no one is bashing an M4 because it looks like a 435i, I think your issue that a Mustang resembles a other Ford cars is not widespread. The Camaro did not deserve the COTY award it falls short of the segment it competes in and the origin of the car and sales show that. You believe I am simply biased against a Camaro, I'm not I grew up with them, I loved the 69, I went to see about buying one and found it's too expensive and the back seat is unusable. If you and your boyfriend should have kids probably both cars have to go however while the Mustang could work after a kid gets into a booster, the Camaro never will.
So you your argument is money is no object - which i doubt, so you'll buy the best car - a Porsche Cayman can be had for $6k more than you paid for your Camaro - I promise it'll get a lot more compliments than your Camaro, it drives better it'll have better resale, why didn't you get one of those?
and BTW I optioned up comparable Mustang GT's and Camaro 1SS's and the difference was nearly $6k. For $42 and change you get a Camaro without leather seats. I can get an Audi A4 for less than that with leather seats.
You're welcome
Permalink
You're welcome
yesterday I saw two Camaro's
Permalink
yesterday I saw two Camaro's as I was picking up my 7 year old son to walk home from school; an orange one and a black one. The orange one was a Zeta platform the black one was an Alpha platform. My son really liked the orange car and said dad look a Mustang!! He did not notice the black Camaro at all.
There is only 3 cars that we
Permalink
There is only 3 cars that we compare. Camaro Mustang and Challenger. My bff (best friend forever) is a girl. And she as the Mustang. Go to YouTube and look up Subaruwrxfan. Look up his reviews of 2016 Camaro.He HAS a 2015 Eco boost Mustang. He loves it. He gives non judgmental reviews of 2016 Camaros. It's not just 'Mustang Haters' who say over all its the better car. And the resale value for a v6 2016 Camaro will easily be a lot more than a v6 Mustang. No options.at all. Look it up. Not even satellite radio. Get the Eco Boost if getting one. You get options. But get a 4 turbo Camaro. You get satellite radio. AND can get the RS package. Dual mode exhaust. Upgraded wheels. It is just the better car. BTW saying just because a girl is just wrong.
What's so great about
Permalink
In reply to There is only 3 cars that we by April (not verified)
What's so great about Satellite radio? I have it and let it expire - give Spotify a try, it's better in just about every way. Is Subaruwrxfan a girl or guy? it's not clear, first you're saying "she" then "he". I have a Mustang if you read my posts, the Camaro inspired me to buy a Mustang GT, that is a simple fact. I love the car, it's loaded, what's more everyone that rides it in loves it, whether in the front or back. You can tell me someone loves riding in the back of a Camaro, unless it's a getaway car I wouldn't believe you. I have owned GM and Ford vehicles and have a lot of respect for GM's design studio, am thinking of getting new new CTS, only wishI could get one with a DOHC V8. In my opinion GM when overboard with track focus on the 16 Camaro. I don't track my car, those I know that do track cars eventually ante up and buy off-road only cars. Reason being if you're pushing a car on the track eventually an accident is going to occur, and frankly no car off the showroom floor is going to hold up to repeated tracking, that is reality.
As far as the resale on the Camaro vs. the Mustang, on kbb, a used 16 EB Mustang goes for 21k the Camaro turbo is 23k. New the EB Mustang sells for $28,100 and comparable turbo Camaro goes for $30,300. Let's do basic math of the Mustang starts out $2k less than the Camaro and the Camaro's price drops $7k and the Mustang's price drops $7k. The dollar amount of price drop was the same for both cares. For the Mustang it's a bigger percentage drop, however we are talking 24% vs. 23% here not sure that can be described as "easily a lot more". However if the Mustang owner simply keeps the $2k not spent on the Camaro the Mustang owner comes out ahead as his/her loss is now 16%.
And no the Camaro is not the better car, it simply isn't. This fantasy that everyone cares about how fast their car is or how quick it can turn a lap is just that a fantasy. The reality for most is we're driving about the speed limit and are often in tight traffic, I could not imagine driving a Camaro in DC traffic, that would be an absolute nightmare. What you may find interesting is Ford got feedback on the 2015 Mustang that the hood was too high and caused outward vision issues. Perhaps the alteration of the hood line of the 2018 Mustang was always going to happen after that design decision was made on the GT350, or perhaps Ford actually listens to feedback.
What I believe to be the case is GM doesn't really do marketing for the Camaro, instead they look at what Ford does with the Mustang and attempt to one-up them. However GM lacks the data inputs into why Ford does what they do, so while building a better performing car is easy for them, building a better selling car intentionally is matter of chance.
The Mustang is following
Permalink
The Mustang is following history with styling. Mustangs started as small cars then in the 70's they got bigger and longer. Like those Mach 1 long nosed fastbacks....then the oil embargo...WoW!