Car Throttle

You know you're a big name in the car industry when you have a car concept by a big manufacturer named after you. That is exactly the case with one of General Motors' Camaro concepts at SEMA, dubbed simply the Jay Leno Camaro. As expected, the Jay Leno Camaro is far more than just an appearance package being powered by the standard 3.6L direct injection V-6. Wait, what? Might have caused a double take there. The car has a pair of Turbonetics T3 turbochargers that provide about seven pounds of boost to the car's engine, making 425 horsepower along the way. To go along with the turbo system, there is a Be-Kool radiator, custom exhaust system, as well as a clutch and pressure plate supplied by Centerforce for

The introduction of the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger at similar times have ensured a battle between them for supremacy. Much like Chrysler's overall fortunes in the sales race, the Challenger has been left in the dust. The real question has been the competition between the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro. Historically, the Mustang has outsold the Camaro overall. The Camaro was GM's answer to the Mustang but it debuted after a lot of the initial pony car craze wore off. Some (including me) have wondered if history would repeat itself this time after Ford's success in 2005 with the Mustang redesign. When the Camaro debuted, it handily outsold the Mustang. Many declared that a victory that the car could beat the Mustang - one

Normally, when a new car comes out it's a given that it will achieve 5-Star safety ratings (at least for the front end collision). In fact, it has become so commonplace that NHSTA is increasing the standard for model year 2011, giving automakers an even higher mark to hit - something I think in the name of safety is a good policy to implement. That's why it comes as a disappointment that the new Chevrolet Camaro only got a 4-star rating in the front end collision. In comparison to it's rival the super-safe 5-star rated Ford Mustang it isn't a good thing to have on your specifications list in a culture that pays attention to these ratings. Of course the rating is not going to matter to

Today brings a lot news about automotive sales figures. Normally, CarThrottle stays away from the boring sales information dumps that a lot of automakers do at the beginning of a month. However, last month we reported on something interesting - the Chevrolet Camaro passing the Ford Mustang up in sales. It's a big deal on one hand, and on the other it isn't. It's big firstly because the Mustang has historically been a higher seller, secondly because Ford has a much better image right now and thirdly the fact that there are a lot more Mustang models (like a convertible) available. On the other hand? The Camaro is a hot and highly-anticipated new product with 10,000 backorders to fill. Two months certainly doesn't a trend make, and

Well this will be fun to watch (from either side of the Atlantic): GM troubled "Car Maker To The World" is going to be selling its latest generation Camaro pony car in Europe. Sure-sure, one could talk about the efficacy of selling a car with a big whompin' stompin' V8 in a land where gas is more expensive than wine. One could also talk about selling a car this big in a land where most roads are smaller than American driveways. But who cares? You want to turn heads is West Bromley or Liege or Turin, then buddy, Chevy's got a ride for you. Look, I'm not that nationalistic of a guy. As a matter of fact, I'm a European sportscar guy that grew up in a

The Camaro is officially back. Yes it's back as in being produced again back, but also back as in capturing the hearts and minds of the motoring public. The Camaro is the car to have on the automotive scene right now, and that must feel really good for General Motors. Bankruptcy, what bankruptcy? Camaro buyers don't seem to care. The Ford Mustang is pretty much a perennial best-seller, doing well for Ford consistently over the years. When the original Camaro came out in the 1960's it sort of missed the initial pony car craze and it wasn't until the late 1970's that the Camaro ever passed the Mustang in yearly sales volume. I feared the same situation could have repeated itself now; once again GM was late to the game

Bankruptcy (and the recession) have impacted General Motor's sales heavily across all brands and model lines. Image is also down as well; there is a negative stigma surrounding the company due to all that it's gone through and current government ownership. There is a flip side; driving a GM is seen as being supportive but I think the bailout outweighs that in the marketplace. At least one vehicle is selling well right now though, and that is the Camaro. The Camaro has been in the public's spotlight for the past few years as GM worked to hype everyone up for it's launch. Some have wished the car could've came sooner even. However, maybe now was just the perfect time for it, right when GM needed it most. In

A glimmer of hope in a downpour of bad news? Maybe. At least there is one vehicle that GM can't build enough of; the new Chevrolet Camaro. The car promised to be a hot-seller judging by it's wide fan base and early expressions of interest, and it's proving to be just that. Plant closures, job cuts, wage reductions. Amid all of that comes one hot selling GM vehicle. GM says it is having a difficult time keeping up with demand for the Camaro, which went on sale last month. Chevrolet dealers sold 614 Camaros last month, and over 15,000 orders have yet to be filled. Pretty strong demand I would say! The car seems to have widespread appeal across market demographics. Who doesn't like the Camaro? The sales