Chevrolet Camaro coupe production ends
The Chevrolet Camaro has been given an unceremonious send-off, with production of the petrol-powered muscle car quietly ending in the US last week.
The last Chevrolet Camaro to be powered by a petrol engine has rolled off the car maker’s US production line, ending the nameplate’s near 50-year run with V8 power – before it is expected to be reborn as an electric car.
Multiple US outlets – including Road & Track – report Chevrolet confirmed production of the petrol-powered Camaro ended last week, with the muscle car unceremoniously being killed off without an official announcement.
It’s not the first time the Camaro name has disappeared, having been in production across four generations from 1967 until 2002, though it was later revived in 2010 for a fifth generation – on a platform largely developed in Australia for the Holden Commodore.
The outgoing sixth-generation Camaro was introduced globally in 2016, later coming to Australia in early 2018, with Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) converting the muscle car from left- to right-hand-drive for the local market – however sales ended in 2020 due to low demand.
It is understood the final petrol Camaro built in Lansing, Michigan was a ‘ZL1 Collector’s Edition’, powered by a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine – capable of producing 485kW and 880Nm.
While production of the Camaro with petrol power has ended, Chevrolet has previously said it is “not the end of Camaro’s story”.
Chevrolet has not officially confirmed plans for the Camaro nameplate, though overseas reports have suggested the badge will be used on an upcoming electric sedan or SUV.
The US car maker has also previously reaffirmed its commitment to the Camaro to continue racing in the Australian Supercars championship, having debuted last year as a part of the sport’s new ‘Gen 3’ regulations against the Ford Mustang.
The Camaro’s Supercars debut came almost three years after it departed Australian showrooms, though it is understood the muscle car is used as a marketing tool for Chevrolet which sells the Silverado pick-up and Corvette sports car locally through General Motors Specialty Vehicles.
Despite Chevrolet’s commitment to Supercars, the Camaro’s global departure leaves the long-term future of the sport in the air, as there has been no public interest from other car makers to enter the championship – while Ford is understood to be disillusioned with the series after year-long political battles throughout the 2023 season.