I was very excited to read on GM exec Bob Lutz’s FastLane Blog that the sheer volume of comments about resurrecting the Camaro have prompted the company to design an updated version of the ever-popular muscle car.
In the blog, Lutz writes, “If I had a dime for every time I’ve read the word ‘Camaro’ in your comments on this blog in the past year, I could have financed the concept car out of my own pocket! And I would have… I like it that much.”
Unfortunately, GM won’t commit to building the Camaro at this time. But Lutz remains open to commentary from his readers. And he’s sure getting a lot of it - 524 comments since he posted the concept almost a month ago.
In general, commenters are overwhelmingly positive when it comes to the design, though a few can’t decide if the car is “too retro or not retro enough.” But Lutz’s readers are also clamoring to point out that they’ve been waiting for years and that GM needs to put the car into production already.
This is an excellent example of the tremendous power that the blogosphere offers companies. GM has shown consumers that it is capable of listening and responding. But it has done so - and will continue to do so - at its own pace.
That said, I tend to agree with Lutz’s readers that GM needs to follow through on making the concept a reality. Why? Because they have two very valuable assets. One, after all these years the word “Camaro” still carries serious cachet. And two, they have a web-savvy audience of aficionados that not only read Lutz’s blog, but have blogs of their own. The buzz on and off the Web over this car will be so tremendous that advertising may be almost moot. (Although product placement on hip, edgy shows wouldn’t hurt.)
If GM markets the new Camaro as “back by popular demand,” and uses its blog to ensure that the public voice is heard during the development phase, it can’t go wrong. Bloggers will go nuts for it. The Camaro afficionados will love it. And future generations will embrace it.
Hell, I love it. If this car were real, I’d go out and buy one right now.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Ian Maddox 02.15.06 at 7:12 pm
Mr. Lutz,
The rebirth of this machine will be the greatest event in automotives recent history. A new chevy camaro is going to blow away all of the other “re-makes” in performance and style. I have to admit, however, chevrolet is insane if they continue with the planned design of the ‘09 camaro as opposed to the make that this Kris Horton designed. His origonal design is going to offer a more modern more attractive more presentable camaro that still holds everything that its classic ancestors had to show off. Even his second design was far better than the one chevy has chosen to run with. Dont get me wrong, when that car hits the streets ill be there at the dealership with money in hand, (as long as there’s a Z28 option) but chevy’s chosen design is nothing compared to the car this kid Kris Horton has concieved. I think much of the hype over the new car is revolving around his design, and much will fade when buyers see chevys actual decision on this new machine.
-Ian Maddox
Dr. Lorenzo Pacheco 02.25.06 at 5:34 pm
Mr Lutz, with the exception of the cheap looking grill this concept has few qualities that are less than perfect. I will acknowlede that in my line of business I may not be credible as an advisor, however I don’t think GM can afford NOT to build this car, with retro cars already in production like the Mustang, and Charger, everybody was waiting on GM’s response, and we got. It was a modernized old school Camaro that “Might” be produced, well Mr Lutz I’ll keep it simple let’s take that MIGHT Be, and make it a WILL be