Of course, if each could be made at a profit, without taking valuable development time and money away from products that
 |
| Even if the new models don't make money, sometimes halo vehicles can be justified, but GM is in no shape to build niche vehicles. (Photo: Artist's Rendering) |
could help dig GM out of its massive financial hole, they have value. Even if the new models don't make money, sometimes halo vehicles can be justified, but GM is in no shape to build niche vehicles on the whim that some trickle-down effect of a new Camaro will somehow help sell more Impalas, as if the Chevy brand didn't already have the Corvette to do that; or by some unforeseen miracle parking a Velite on the showroom floor will bless the Allure with Camry-like sales figures. It's not going to happen.
But there's also internal morale to consider, and the need to satisfy dealers who are asking the question, "Why don't we have something as cool as the Mustang to drive showroom traffic?" In other words, there's an argument for building a Camaro that even Rick Wagner can justify if he really wants to.
Of course, there's another way that GM could look at it. Why does the new Camaro have to be as big a sales hit as the Mustang? Chances are that it won't be anyway, because the
 |
| A Camaro would satisfy bowtie aficionados craving for a four-seat muscle car, delivering power and sporty styling to those who still have the need for a back seat. (Photo: Artist's Rendering) |
bowtie coupe never sold as well as the pony-car despite offering more power, at times, more gadgets and sometimes, more attractive styling. Rather than build a mass-market muscle car, why not come to the game with a premium-level player. Only offer a powerful V8, and why not mix it up with a fully independent suspension system? At least then a new rear-drive platform doesn't need to be developed. If Camaro were to go upmarket, just a bit, it could also offer better interior quality too, a cabin that doesn't punish the 50-something boomer who's giving up his Bimmer in order to relive his teen years and the muscle car era all at once.
