Can Muscle Cars Return?
The Chicago Auto Show was abuzz about the Challenger, and people, like us at GoOnTheRoad.com, have been awaiting the new Camaro for a long time now. The Mustang stands waiting, having been the only American muscle car around for several years.
It’s unclear at this point whether high gas costs and an economy at the beginning of a recession are the best situational factors for re-introducing this kind of a car. Ford has declared its enthusiasm for the return of competitors. A competitive market place is one that is more successful for everyone. The Mustang has been alone in the muscle car field for a time now, and is certain that the return of competition will have a drastically positive effect on the Mustang’s already excellent sales.The only chance of these cars making it in the poor economy is the passion that people have for them. Most of the people who are passionate about cars today became that way after owning their first muscle car when they were young. For others, it was their first ride in their parent’s restored Mustang, or glancing at pictures of restored Mustangs and Challengers in magazines. These are the people who truly love cars, and they will buy these cars again.
It’s a different demographic that are worrying about gas prices. The gas prices rise and sales in the muscle cars don’t drop the way other cars do. People drive these cars because they enjoy driving them. The new SRT8 Challenger doesn’t have a mileage rating yet, but the SRT8 Charger which has the same drive train costs 18 mpg to run on the highway, and you have to run it on premium fuel. Thee Mustangs come in a variety of engine options, and in 2010 are introducing and engine that still outputs high HP, but that will get much better fuel economy. That middle ground may be the saving grace of the muscle car.
The new Challenger will sell cars, but people don’t expect it to start challenging the Mustang any time soon. The Mustang sold around 135,000 models in 2007, compared to the 20000 the Challenger is expected to move.
Ford has publicly stated that they are happy about the new additions to the muscle car lineup. If muscle car completion resumes, it will benefit all manufacturers. The Mustang with an established customer base in this generation already will lead in sales.
The only thing which remains to be seen at this point is what will actually happen to the market share once the Challenger and Camaro are both on the roads. There are two possible outcomes. One is that they each steal sales away from the Mustang. The other could be that their presence will signal a re-growth of the muscle car in general and all three manufacturers will benefit. Business analysts who have had a look at the situation predict that it could be a bit of both.
Having those two new cars out there is going to give people more options when they’re going to buy. However, the increase in the number of these cars on the road will increase public awareness of them all again. That could lead to the entire market expanding once again.