Also:

Some more spy images of the preproduction Camaro convertible have hit the web today. The vehicles, two of them in total, were spotted in Canada out in some nasty weather for test drives. Hopefully we'll be able to get some glimpses of them with their tops down soon, too! As it was though, the drop-tops were there as protection from the elements (which was much needed on the day in mention!). The drop-tops look fantastic up though, and show the commitment to the Camaro Convertible that GM currently has. Expect to see the Camaro Convertible hitting show rooms early next year!

Click the thumbnails for full-size images:

Click the thumbs below for full size images of the C&D cover and page with blurb:

Camaro races ahead of GM's profit expectations

Retro muscle car far more lucrative than automaker had originally forecast


Jan 13, 2010

Tony Van Alphen
Business reporter

DETROIT–The Chevrolet Camaro muscle car, which General Motors builds in Oshawa, has become far more profitable to the automaker than original forecasts, says company vice-chairman Bob Lutz.

Lutz, GM's product guru, said the iconic car is beating internal sales projections, easily surpassing estimates for average transaction prices and the combination is leading to big profits.

He said GM is making an average of $8,000 to $9,000 (U.S.) more per sale than it anticipated on models with transaction prices in the $35,000 to $40,000 range.

"What is especially remarkable is the average transaction price," Lutz told reporters at the North American International Auto Show.

"It's way, way higher than we expected it to be and the profitability of the vehicle has turned out to be far better than our expectations."

Lutz said one of the reasons for the strong profitability is, ironically, fuel economy. GM promoted the V-6, 300-horsepower, more fuel-efficient model with lower pricing and less profit to encourage sales.
The company then overpriced the V-8, more powerful, less fuel-efficient model to keep its sales down.
In Canada, the manufacturer's suggested price is almost $27,000 (Canadian) for the V-6 model and $37,000 for the V-8 version. But V-8 sales still outpaced the V-6s by a wide margin in both countries.

"End result: 80 per cent of sales, V-8s," Lutz said.

The Camaro ceased production at GM's plant in Ste. Thérèse, Que., in 2002 after 35 years, but was revived in March last year in Oshawa after a concept at the show generated a huge positive response. Production on one shift with some overtime totalled more than 83,000 in less than 10 months last year.

Waiting times for delivery for the Camaro in Canada vary, but could be up to 90 days.

The Canadian Auto Workers pressed GM to add another shift to meet demand but the company has rejected that idea.

Muscle cars normally have a strong sales start for 18 months to two years before gradually losing their momentum.

Automakers add special edition models to boost interest after the initial surge. GM is adding a Camaro convertible model in the first quarter of next year.

The Camaro, which uses ads with such tag lines as "lust conquers all," is up against Ford's Mustang and the Dodge Challenger and Charger, which have posted some good sales numbers in recent years.

Lutz attributed the success of the Camaro to designing more than just a retro car, but one with modern styling cues.

He said original clay models of the Camaro looked a lot like versions from the late 1960s, but then-chief executive officer Rick Wagoner told designers they should do more work.

GM showed Camaro buffs and collectors the second version and they criticized it sharply because the car didn't look like the early models.

"Not looking too much like a '67 turned out to be a good thing," Lutz said.

2010 Camaro Drop-Top looks nice

With a factory-built Chevrolet Camaro convertible at least 18 months away (the program is still officially on hold at General Motors), Convertible Builders owner Jeff Moran says, "I do not believe it would be a sound business move for GM to take on a project that has greater potential to lose money than to be profitable."

On the other hand, the low-volume soft-top business has been good for the Florida-based conversion company, which was established in 1976 as Coachbuilders Limited.

Looks great top up or down!

The shop currently offers convertible conversions of the Challenger , which was displayed at the 2008 SEMA Auto Show, as well as the Cadillac CTS and the Chrysler 300C.

Moran says his company is already taking orders for the Camaro convertible, which will cost an additional $18,000 over the price of the stock hardtop.

Man, this Camaro is gorgeous. Of course, that being said, all Camaros are gorgeous!

You can follow the car's development progress on Drop Top Customs' Facebook page or at its Web site.

Inside Line says: If money is burning a hole in your pocket, Moran and his crew also do Ferraris and BMWs. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent

Source: Edmunds:InsideLine