Why is the Camaro no longer being introduced?
3 Answers
Due to poor sales, the Camaro is no longer being introduced. Here are the specific details about the Camaro: Power: The sixth-generation Camaro is equipped with a new 2.0T engine, delivering a maximum power of 275 horsepower and a peak torque of 400 Nm. All models and powertrains will feature a fuel-efficient 6-speed transmission. Features: The sixth-generation Camaro comes with the CarPlay in-car connectivity system, the latest generation OnStar system, and a 4G LTE in-car Wi-Fi hotspot, integrating smart technologies such as wireless networking, communication, navigation, and multimedia.
I've thought about this, and it really boils down to two key points: policy and market. The current China 6 emission standards are too stringent - a big 6.2L V8 like the Camaro simply can't pass the environmental tests. GM even stopped customs clearance for the 2.0T version last year. With heavy import taxes, the base price approaches 600,000 RMB. There were already few buyers for this car, and dealerships suffer from slow inventory turnover - it's considered fast if a showroom model sits for just six months. Add to this the dominance of electric vehicles, with manufacturers focusing entirely on electrification (even the Corvette is getting a hybrid version), so gas-guzzlers like the Camaro naturally get strategically abandoned. Though you can occasionally find them through parallel imports, the price is almost comparable to a Porsche 718.
Our repair shop has dealt with many owners of older-generation Camaros. The main difficulty in maintaining these vehicles lies in the complexity of their rear-wheel-drive, large-displacement architecture. There are very few technicians in China specializing in American performance cars, and parts often need to be ordered from the US—even waiting for spark plugs can take two weeks. The used car market for these vehicles is also sluggish, with five-year-old models losing half their value. GM China is currently focusing on SUVs like the Blazer, allocating performance car resources to Cadillac CT4/CT5 instead. Honestly, young people nowadays either opt for domestic electric vehicles or entry-level BBA models. There are probably only a few thousand hardcore enthusiasts nationwide willing to spend 500,000 RMB on an American muscle car.
