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Pure Speculation: Camaro Being Readied to do Battle with Hot-Selling Mustang

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Khatir Soltani

Does GM Need Another Muscle Car Right Now?

Being the pontificating prognosticator that I am, I just can't seem to forget about an off-hand comment General Motors of

I just can't seem to forget about an off-hand comment General Motors of Canada President and CEO Michael Grimaldi made about the possibility of a new Camaro. (Photo: Artist's Rendering)
Canada President and CEO Michael Grimaldi made while traveling in the back seat of a Chevrolet Cobalt that I was piloting during the vehicle's Canadian launch program.

We were discussing the success Ford is having with its new Mustang, and the rumours being bantered about regarding a Chrysler/Dodge LX-based two-door sports coupe that might go by the name of Challenger or 'Cuda (rumours propagated by unscrupulous automotive journalists such as yours truly), when Mr. Grimaldi asked us what we would think of GM bringing back the Camaro.

Pardon?! Yes, my ears were working properly. He wondered if my co-driver and I thought a new Camaro might experience the same

Michael Grimaldi wondered if my co-driver and I thought a new Camaro might experience the same success as the Mustang, or at least similar success. (Photo: Artist's Rendering)
success as the Mustang, or at least similar success. We, of course, couldn't pass up the opportunity to respond with a few nuggets of wisdom... well, maybe more than a few nuggets. Actually, we got so entrenched discussing it that I'm sure he was glad to change cars at the next stop and never bring the subject up again.

Why Mr. Grimaldi brought it up, I'll never know. Possibly he knew something that few others did at the time, or was merely hypothesizing, but nevertheless he was probably smarting at an opportunity missed by GM, that could have easily been ripe for the taking.

Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 8 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada