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30 Reasons Car Companies Shouldn’t Kill Classics To Go Electric

Cameron Eittreim August 3, 2021

11: Less Variety

Right now, with gasoline-powered engines, there are a huge variety of different car models to choose from. But as manufacturers limit their product lines to electric vehicles you will see an eventual decline in the variety of models. Cars like the Challenger and the Camaro will go to the chopping block in favor of a more universal model.

Crossover sales are hotter than ever, making muscle cars more of a specialty product. Would you want an automotive market where there is far less variety to choose from? With the rise in electric cars, this could be the case because of the limited range of electric vehicles.

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10: Expensive Computer Systems

Perhaps one of the lesser-known drawbacks to electric cars is the fact that their computer systems are expensive to replace. You’re going to spend not only a lot of time by having to do this but also thousands of dollars. A V8 engine is going to be cheaper in the long run to repair and the parts are readily available.

The Camaro and the Mustang are two cars that have a large following and an even larger aftermarket community. Being able to work on a vehicle by yourself might be a thing of the past in the future, but we’d still like the option to do so for the time being.

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9: Self-Driving Danger

Electric cars like Teslas are pioneering the self-driving revolution, but that technology is still new. There have been plenty of instances that have made the news where self-driving is potentially a dangerous thing. By cutting off classic-style cars right now, the self-driving revolution could be a problem.

Another problem with self-driving cars right now is the fact that teenagers might feel like it’s OK to text and drive, or worse. Automakers need to slow down and take the time to think about what they are doing before it becomes a bigger problem.

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8: The Problem With Crossovers

The entire automotive market is going toward the crossover segment and there are a few problems with this. Not everyone wants a crossover vehicle but consumers are increasingly being forced to choose this type of vehicle. The ability to choose a performance car like a Camaro or a Mustang is a nice choice to have instead of being forced into a decision.

Crossovers are fairly limited in their design and with the move toward electric vehicles, they will become even more limited. Sure, you have the performance aspects of electric vehicles, but what about the potential for tipping over at high speeds and worse.

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7: Storied Nameplates At GM

When you think about GM canceling the Camaro, there are also a number of other well-known nameplates that come to mind. What happens to the future of the Impala, Caprice, and Chevelle? Without these vehicles, the future of the automotive business will be quite dull and lacking personality.

With the move toward electric cars, GM will be less able to revive certain nameplates because it just won’t make sense. You might not think very much about this now but there are points in history where a brand revival is extremely profitable. Take the retro-inspired Mustang in 2005 for instance or even the VW New Beetle in 1998.

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6: The Auto Parts Business

Electric cars clearly don’t require the same type of maintenance that gasoline-powered cars do. Teslas don’t need the internal engine parts lubricated until around 100,000 miles. This would mean that the need for replacement parts or even oil changes will be greatly reduced. What happens when an entire segment of the automotive business is put aside?

Routine maintenance on a vehicle is a very profitable business and one that continues to be an important part of the business. Electric cars are not only going to change the way that we drive but also the way that we perform routine maintenance and do-it-yourself car care.

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5: The SS and Z28 Are Still Strong Brands

Although GM is contemplating the removal of the Camaro brand in favor of a sedan, the SS and Z28 are still strong brand names. When you think of performance cars, two of the first badges that come to mind are the SS and Z28. The Camaro is still one of the most iconic brands in the automotive business today.

With the SS and the Z28 brands, muscle cars have never been the same. Both of these brands were responsible for defining the Camaro brand name and iconic design. If GM goes electric, it will be very hard to badge an electric car as a Z28 or an SS.

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4: The Volt Was A Failure

It’s no secret that GM has had a tough time selling electric cars. The Volt was a failure and the model that the company is pushing now is the Bolt. Time will tell how the new Hummer will do, but when you think about completely changing the Camaro, it isn’t a smart move. The Ford Mustang Mach-E is a prime example of tarnishing a well-known nameplate.

Enthusiasts were extremely disappointed with the Mustang Mach-E and the thought that the original design of the car could potentially be removed. Muscle cars are an integral part of the automotive business and just tarnishing a brand altogether could end up bad for the company.

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3: Alienating A Generation

There are still multiple generations of people who have a love for the muscle car era. Likewise, there is a new generation of car buyers who love the performance of modern pony cars. By removing the segment altogether there are multiple generations of people who will be alienated in the long run.

The unique and iconic designs of the muscle car era are pieces of the automotive industry that will stick with us for generations. By trying to remove these unique memories from the automotive industry, GM and other car companies simply alienate an entire generation of enthusiasts who grew up with these vehicles.

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2: What Will Happen To Chrysler?

Perhaps one of the companies that could be hurt the most by the electric car revolution is Chrysler. The Dodge Challenger and Charger are both hot products for the company and the Jeep brand is even more popular. If Dodge were to get rid of the Challenger or the Charger the brand would lose its unique identity.

The Challenger is a bit long in the tooth as the current platform has been around since 2010, and the brand still resonates with consumers. If Chrysler were to remove the brand altogether in favor of an electric sports car there is no doubt that the original enthusiast base for Mopar products would feel alienated.

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1: The Original Camaro Cancellation

2002 was a bad year for the muscle car market when GM canceled the Camaro and Firebird models. Fast-forward to the current model year and the execs over at GM are considering canceling the Camaro program once again. Why does the company move so fast when it comes to phasing out such an iconic nameplate?

Ford hasn’t been near as reckless with the Mustang brand, other than the Mach-E that everyone hates. Yet, GM continues to dangle a carrot on a stick in front of enthusiasts who have grown up loving the Camaro and everything that it entails. Canceling the Camaro brand would be a mistake for GM as there is still a lot of passion for this line of vehicles.

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