GM’s Taking the Camaro to India
With India's economy enjoying sustained growth for more than a decade now, and their automotive industry being amongst the leaders of that growth, it makes sense the sports car market within the country has begun to see a great deal of life and vibrancy. Already, European supercar companies have imported their brands to India for the country's wealthiest businessmen and women to get their hands on (Maserati, Ferrari, and Koenigsegg are just a few of the names) that it made sense that Chevrolet's most prized and well-reviewed vehicle would be joining them. Starting later this year, GM has announced that the Chevrolet Camaro will become available within the Indian market.
The vehicle will be entering in interesting territory. Chevrolet has already built a decent consumer base within the country, and there's a market opening for a more affordable sports car to step in and fill. Currently, for a true sports car feel and appearance, the high-end European automotives are the only real thing available, and their vehicles tend to be priced so highly that they're well outside the range of the average consumer. Even with the importation fees and and taxes (which typically raise the cost of an American automobile entering the Indian market by %110), the Camaro will still be a much more affordable sports car than its competitors within that market. This greater affordability (while still expensive, no doubt) will open up an all new, potential sports car buying client base that has previously been untapped within the Indian market. If this calculated risk pays off, GM could find themselves holding a very strong stake in a very quickly evolving automotive market--a move that will reflect positively upon their future prospects worldwide. Of course, the risk doesn't seem to be too extreme, as the incredible styling and construction of the Camaro have made it an immediate hit anywhere and everywhere it has been made available.
Camaro Officially Outsells The Mustang in 2010- Ends Ford’s 24 Year Reign Atop the Pony Car Market
For close to a quarter-century Ford has maintained a stronghold on the American Pony Car market with its Mustang, but 2010 was the year that all changed. In the first full year of sales for the Camaro revival, the Mustang was unseated from its throne.
In 2010, the Camaro sold 81,299 to the Mustang's 73,716. That, ladies and gentlemen, is not only a victory, but a solid one at that. Of course, neither vehicle was ultimately hurting, as each saw their sales increase from the year prior. The Camaro by an impressive 32%, and the Mustang by 11%. This should not come as any news, however, as the Pony Car race has bolstered, and even been a large part of the revitalization of the American automotive industry. This is surprising, as it comes at a time when lawmakers are trying to push the American public towards the antithesis of the Pony Car-smaller, more fuel efficient, less powerful vehicles, like the Chevy Volt.
Of course, Ford contributes their loss in the sales race to the fact that this was the first full year of sales for the Camaro. This accreditation lacks the foresight of the fact that the Camaro performed this impressive feat with basically only two models on sale. The Mustang, however, had 7 vehicle models in its line-up. With the release of the Camaro and Camaro SS Convertibles this year, as well as the Z28 in the near future, one might speculate (with relative safety) that the Camaro will begin a new reign atop the vehicles sales race in their class. Further proof towards this are the numerous accolades and awards that have been bestowed upon the Camaro since its release. Whatever the case may be, 2010 was a great year not just for the Camaro, but for American Pony Cars in general, and the future only looks like it will be even brighter.
Camaro’s Brazil Launch Short Film
This past week Chevrolet Brazil officially launched the Camaro as part of their vehicle line-up, and to coincide with that they put together a great official Camaro Brazil website, and produced an awesome short film. Now, if you don't read Portuguese, the website may be a little difficult to navigate, but the opening animations are awesome and worth a watch, and the video they produced is absolutely a blast.
The film, titled "Não encoste no meu Camaro" (or, "Don't Touch My Camaro" in English) is a great, very fun, film just over 3 minutes long. The basic translations of the text notes in the film aren't necessary at all to get the feel of it, as it is about a feeling and experience most every teenager knows and most every parent of a teenager fears, but if you're interested I'll provide them below. (Translated, albeit, to the best of my very limited ability). The detail, in short, the story of a child who gets a hold of his parent's Camaro keys when they go out of town (anyone else thinking of Ferris Beuller?).
Translations:
- Good morning son - Kisses, Mom
- Don't touch the car
- On Flight 3551 - Take care of home
- Don't think about it.
- Flight canceled, we're coming home.
Stevenson Camaros Take 1st and 2nd at Final Grand-Am GT Race of Year
The Stevenson Camaro racing team had slowly improved all season. Race by race their performances improved, including a couple top 3 finishes and a pole in early races. All season though, a victory had eluded the premiere Camaro racing team. All season, until Saturday that is. On Saturday, 9/11, Stevenson Camaro showed just how much promise the 5th Generation Camaro has a racing-performance car by taking both 1st and 2nd place at the Grand-Am Rolex Utah Race.
Taking first is always impressive and taking second is never something to scoff at, but for a team to take both first and second with two of the same car, that's simply incredible. A great high-note to end the Grand-Am GT season, and a huge boost for the Stevenson Camaro team looking forward to next year's race season. Congrats Stevenson and congrats Camaro, this is a great sign of things to come.
SpeedTV even posted the last lap of the race online, so you can watch these two Stevenson Camaros in all of their glory:
Camaro Christmas! Happy Holidays to All!
Merry Christmas all of you Camaro owners out there, and if Christmas isn't your thing, then I hope you have very Happy Holidays! I hope everyone out there has a nice time with their family and friends this time of year, and is happy and healthy now and in to the New Year.
Also, who would say no to having this Christmas Present?
