http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/05/f...om-the-chevro/

According to sales data released by both Ford and General Motors, the Mustang sold 66,623 units in 2009, with GM coming in close behind at 61,618 Camaros sold for the year.

 

Ah, the pony car wars heat up! This can only mean good things for us enthusiasts. Wonder how the Challenger did (obviously in another ball park, but I hope it holds on until they can redo it on a smaller chassis in a couple years).

To be a little fair to the Camaro, it didn't really come out until March, so the Stang did have a 2-3 month sales head start. That caveat said, I'm glad they are so close as that will put the heat on each marque to better the other guy. The Stang is, as is well known, already rolling out the 5.0, six speed trannies, Brembo brake (option) and (again) updated chassis tuning.

I wonder if the Camaro has any counter attacks in store?

Or even the Dodge (bigger Hemi, tightened up chassis perhaps)?

 

Challenger's sales by the end of November were 23,316. I don't know sales for December.

EDIT: Yes I do. 25,852.

 

True, but keep in mind the pent up demand for years for the Camaro... plus the Transformer movie to add fuel to the fire. Yet GM still couldn't pull off a dominating year.

 

To be fair, Camaro did not go on sale until March.

But even with that I don't think it would outsell Mustang.

 

I'd have bet a ton of cash that with those extra couple months the camaro would have won. Even with all the issues and problems and bad rap the camaro got it still sold a crapload of units. Far more than I'm sure Ford ever thought they would. 2 months could eaily have been 5000 units. That race was just too **** close.
These sales figures can only be a good thing for both companies (competition is good for everyone.)

 

coulda shoulda woulda.

I bet the mustang would have sold more units if people weren't waiting on the 5.0

 

GM had been building desire for how many years it took from talk to actually having units for sale??
Camaro lovers have been saving their money/planning their trades for several years waiting for - THIS YEAR!
Same goes for Chally lovers too.
Whereas Mustang lovers have had their pick for 45 yrs...
Camaro should have smoked Mustang its first year of release - but it lost.

GO FORD!

 

I'm actually glad they're so close, a real horse race that could have gone either way depending on how any number of things played out. That, I think, will spur on the competition even more than if one simply blew the other out of the water. Who wins out in the end? Both the Camaro and Mustang fans.

While the '05'09 Stang was a fine car, I do think that, lacking any direct competition, Ford was rather lackadaisical in improving the Stang and a bit greedy in the pricing, particularly the GT500. But now, with the Camaro breathing hot and heavy down the Stang's neck, all of a sudden we get in very quick succession: '10 redesign, 3.7 V6, completely new 5.0, six speeds all around, uprated (again) suspension and better brakes (including Brembo option).

Coincidence? I think not. Rather, this is a simple example of competition improving the breed. Would any, some or even all of this have happened anyway? Perhaps some or even most, but certainly not nearly as quickly nor to the full level that we're seeing.

The V6 probably would have just been a 270-some HP version found in other FoMoCo products minus the dual exhaust, GT-level suspension and brakes and six speed. The 5.0 probably would have dribbled out in another year or two, or three and Brembos would still be an expensive aftermarket add on. And talking about expense, guaranteed that without the Camaro, all of this would have/be priced much higher than Ford can now get away with.

Of course, Chevy's not going to sit on their hands and I look forward to see what they're counterpunches will be: tightened chassis tuning, more HP, address QC issues, Z28 and verts hitting the showroom. And then, of course, Ford will have to respond with, what, Boss 302, GT500 5.0 TT, IRS...

 

I don't know if that's entirely accurate...
look at the 07 Shelby GT with firmer handling and +19HP...
and the 08 Bullitt with its better suspension & strut tower brace, improved shifter, beefier rear end & 3.73's, CAI and +15HP, adaptive spark ignition, PCM tweaks & 6500 redline, better brakes and 18" wheels... all stock.
And what about Ford rolling out the 3V with VCT technology?
No one was breathing down Ford's neck at the time, yet they kept rolling out solid performance improvements.

 

Yay. Mustang FTW - again. With all the hype surrounding the 2010 Camaro, there should be no excuses.

 

Just a note Zoran.


I wouldn't say Ford Mustang TAKES 2009 Pony car sales crown from Camaro.


I would say its more like, Camaro fails to take 2009 Pony car sales crown from Mustang.


Mustang holds the crown. You can't take what you already own.

 

Good point.

I just copy/pasted that sentence from AutoBlog.com, but you're 100% correct.

 

You sir are exonerated then. I blame AutoBlog.

 

Not to mention they are 2010 camaros, not 2009...

 

I was VERY close with my estimate of 60,000 units. I'll bet that number falls in '10. The Mustangs pepped up powertrains and general fall off demand for the Camaro will make '10 a dominant year for the Mustang.

 

I tend to agree with your assessment...will be interesting to see for sure...now let's hope Ford dealers don't try and hold the 5.0 GT's hostage with ridiculous pricing mark-up's

 

I know my local dealer will (the A-hole). He still has $995 on top of the sticker on his 2010's.

 

What a fool. Guys like that give many a bad name.

 

I was thinking this. They are counting 09 and 10 mustangs in 09 and the 10 Camaro.