- Sports cars have made up about 2.9 percent of all car sales in 2010, down from a high of 3.1 percent in 2002.
- But Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang are selling well.
- Camaro sales are up 39.9 percent so far this year.
SANTA MONICA, California — Sales of sports cars continue to be in low gear, with a few notable exceptions such as the Dodge Challenger, Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang, according to Edmunds.com.
Sports cars have made up about 2.9 percent of all car sales in 2010, down from a high of 3.1 percent in 2002, said Edmunds.
But the domestic pony cars are accelerating past their competitors. Challenger sales have made a 43.5-percent year-to-year gain through November. Camaro sales are up 39.9 percent so far this year. Sales of the Mustang are up 13.6 percent through November compared to the same period last year.
It's not all good news on the domestic sports-car front, however. The Chevrolet Corvette continues to take a pounding, suffering a 9.7-percent drop in sales through November. Last year was Corvette's worst sales year since 1961.
"While the domestic pony cars are bucking the strong downward trend, the other sports cars continue to endure significant declines," said Bill Visnic, senior analyst at Edmunds.com. "The Mazda RX-8 has seen a 50.3-percent drop from 2009, while the Mitsubishi Eclipse is down 52.8 and 60.9 percent for the coupe and Spyder models, respectively. Even the Mazda MX-5 Miata, which many consider the bellwether of the sports-car market, can't regain its footing."
Inside Line says: Even in a recession, some people cannot seem to put off buying that pony car. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
poorjoe says:
03:51 AM, 12/16/2010
Oh, and the Solstice/Sky was the Cruze/Cavalier of roadsters and there are very good mechanical and marketing reasons for their demise.
poorjoe says:
03:46 AM, 12/16/2010
Am I the person who thinks the new Camaro looks more like a mid-80's MonteCarlo than a real Camaro? Especially the bolted on plastic nose.
Challenger all the way.
dvsuton12 says:
11:35 PM, 12/15/2010
I am a fan of all three of those pony cars. I can see why people are buying them. Big HP on tap, useable back seat and trunk. Great styling.
You mentioned the Mazda rx8, Miata, and eclipse. None of those cars would be on my shopping list. Rx8? Goofy style. dismal MPG for the hp rating
Eclipse? Same goofy styling. Dated. Low Hp. No back seat. Would be a good secretary transport
Miata? Never liked it in any itteration. Slow. No back seat. Rather have a Solstice. They are better looking and Mallet can shoehorn a V8 in them.
Heck, I would take a Saturn Sky before a Mazda.
viss1 says:
06:16 PM, 12/15/2010
The article didn't mention it, but Boxster/Cayman sales are up. Wouldn't have expected that with the Vette being down.
jrhoglund1 says:
04:41 PM, 12/15/2010
ZOOM ZOOM LOL
jrhoglund1 says:
04:40 PM, 12/15/2010
Miata Would Be A Great Sports Car If It Had The Mazdaspeed3 Engine. Hello!!! 263hp
carl0ver says:
02:19 PM, 12/15/2010
the eclipse deserves the numbers its getting! lets get back to the drawing board and get it right! as for the rx8. its getting old, the revival of the rx7 should help things there. same thing for the new miata, ive seen some decentlynice renderings of potential replacements. i own a s2000 myself, but I do like the challenger a lot. go pony cars!!
typer_801 says:
02:17 PM, 12/15/2010
I love the RX-8 and MX-5. My biggest gripe is these fantastic cars simply don't have straighline acceleration anywhere near the very affordable Pony cars.
THe RX-8, in particular, was only adequately powered when it was released in 2004. 8 model years later with no increase in outuput, it's simply not competitive almost solely due to it's powerplant. The chassis is spectactular and the car still wins handling awards despite it's age. Add another 100+hp and it starts to enter into a good conversation when you talking about a new Mustang GT or Camaro SS. But Mazda never ante'd up and fixed the lack of power.
I'd argue the same thing is happening to the Rallye cars (EVO & STI). Those are both really not contenders anymore, their straighline performance is so far below that of a new Pony car, why would you even consider them.
06scooby says:
01:58 PM, 12/15/2010
It just goes to show... you make a RWD V8 powered fast car with 2 doors that has style and people will buy it... nobody wants your FWD coupe with a cramped interior or awkward styling.
kingon says:
01:56 PM, 12/15/2010
I have a good idea three ponies cars will AWD All Wheel Drive for winter race will challenge game and if you will have real RWD ponies car race for summer season. if you remember Nissan GT-R is AWD only.