The Auto Writer

GM is reporting that demand for the Camaro is exceeding supply, as customers welcome the return of one of America's iconic muscle cars.

I got news for everyone who thinks that car buyers will happily embrace all of the smaller, lighter cars arriving on the market over the next few years – don’t count on it. Sure, a number of hybrid and pure electric models will change the automobile landscape over the next few years, but when its comes down to paying $45,000 for a Coda sedan or $29,000 for a nicely equipped Camaro LS, the land mower model loses that battle hands down.

Seriously, I understand that pure electric and hybrid models will grow in significance, but their high price tags put most of these cars in Cadillac CTS range (even with a federal $7500 rebate). Honestly, if I had that kind of money to spare, my bucks would be going to buy the Caddy.

The Hot Selling Chevy Camaro

Apparently, I’m not the only one who sees it this way because sales of the hot new Chevy Camaro are strong while overall car sales are still down significantly. Some analysts were worrying that the Camaro’s introduction was ill-timed, given the condition of GM, the economy and gas prices. But, pent up demand for the Camaro is demonstrating that Americans still want cars that are attractive, fun and not your typical hybrid-in-a-box, stylish models with primal appeal.

Right now GM has several models which I think are exactly what customers want, cars that defy the assertions of pointy headed opinion makers who repeat over and over again that GM needs to build cars that customers want. I say that GM is already there as evidenced by the popularity of the Camaro.

Michigan Will Build A Subcompact

Certainly, federal government intervention means that GM will be building a number of smaller, lighter passenger vehicles that they probably wouldn’t have built unless pushed into it by the Obama administration. That Orion Township plant in Michigan is a prime example of a car that GM would have sold only if it had been imported from Korea or China. Thanks to government pressure and a union contract agreement, a subcompact model will be built in the US.

There are still some dogs in GM’s fleet and way too much badge engineering. GMC and Chevy trucks are essentially one and the same while the distinction between Pontiac and Chevy cars is fairly minimal. With Pontiac’s demise that will change, but there is a good chance that Buick will get its own version of the Chevy Cruze, possibly perpetuating bad engineering.

Good Stuff From GM

I still like Chevy trucks and some of its SUVs, but I believe that the Cadillac CTS line, Buick Enclave, the all new Buick LaCrosse and a number of Chevrolet models including the Corvette, Camaro, Malibu and the upcoming Cruze are what customers want today. The Volt is a nice looker, though it will be strictly a low volume model for Chevrolet for at least the first year or two.

Sorry about the rant. This isn’t meant to be a promo for GM per se – I still think they wasted tens of billions of dollars over the years and the federal bailout is over the top – but I get tired of reading stupid stuff online from journalists who parrot worn out and inaccurate phrases about the automotive industry.

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