The Ford Mustang Isn't the Only Sports Car With Slow Sales
Not even the Chevrolet Corvette is immune to a sales slump.
Earlier this month, Ford idled its Mustang plant for a week following a dip in sales because the sports car had sold nine percent less this year compared to last. But Ford isn’t the only automaker seeing a drop in its sports car sales, as Chevrolet is also witnessing the same trend with its Camaro and Corvette. This year, Camaro sales are down 11 percent, while Corvette sales are seeing a 14 percent drop.
Porsche shoppers are turning their attention towards the company’s Macan SUV offering, with sales increasing 30 percent, while Porsche’s passenger car sales are down eight percent. According to Porsche spokesman Christian Koenig, the sales decline is due to replacement of the 911 and Boxster models, which caused shortages of inventory, as well as the anticipation for the new Panamera. The German automaker is confident that its sports car sales will rebound.
SEE ALSO: Ford Halts Mustang Production for a Week After Sales Plunge
Analysts believe that Baby Boomers in the U.S. are starting to age out of sports cars, but performance isn’t something they’re willing to give up. And that’s why sales of BMW’s M models and Mercedes-AMG are up, with M models seeing a two-percent increase this year. What’s more interesting, however, is that Mercedes-AMG notes its sales are up about 60 percent to almost 16,000 vehicles this year once you include its new lineup of SUVs.
So in other words, shoppers are giving up sports cars for high-performance crossovers and SUVs as they look for a different type of sporty driving.
[Source: Automotive News]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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To compare a Mustang with a Corvette in any facet is a sure sign of the writers frustration on Fords sales slump. Evidence to a fan of Fords. Fact is behind the sales. Fords sell more because buyers need less to get one. Less credit and less or no down payment. When buyers get turned down from getting a loan at other dealers they simply go to a Ford dealer and get the loan at unreal high interest rates. The tactics worked but with a downside that Ford fails to mention. The trucks are best selling and that's true but they are also the highest in loan defaults and repossession. I've seen jobless people with 200 credit scores driving around in Fords. Sleeping in them. With temp tags on them, and brand new. So for the mustang having a sales slump it maybe because the sales tactics might be changing. The criteria to buy one may be getting higher. As of late though the Mustang is a great car with looks to kill and decent power. By far the best Mustang all round yet. Corvettes are in another league though. Apples to green beans. The closest contender would be the Camaro and it's sitting high on sales.