Chevy Camaro could end production by 2024, replaced by EV sedan

The Chevy Camaro’s days could be numbered with reports suggesting the legendary muscle car could be replaced by an EV sports sedan as early as 2024.

According to US outlet Automotive News, the model could soon be retired as GM moves towards going fully-electric by 2035.

The future of the current generation Camaro has been up in the air for some time, after development of the seventh-generation version of the muscle car was canned in 2019.

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Camaro ZL1 1LE

The report suggests GM management has elected to make the current sixth-generation Camaro the last for the iconic nameplate, and plans to phase it out – along with the current Chevy Malibu sedan.

The other rumoured alternative on the cards is that the sports EV sedan earmarked to replace the current sixth-generation Camaro could in fact be the new seventh-generation Camaro, according to CarScoops.

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2021 Chevy Malibu

If that were to be the case, it would be the first Camaro sedan in history, but would still mean Chevrolet offering a sports car sitting between the Corvette and the rest of the range.

The Tesla Models S and 3, along with the Mercedes EQS, have also shown there is sales success to be had with EV sports sedans in the US, but neither have the true muscle car image of the Camaro.

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The potential extinction of the Camaro will also have a follow-on effect here in Australia. While HSV ceased converting and selling the Camaro SS2 and ZL1 road cars here last year due to low demand, the current sixth-gen Camaro is set to hit the track in Supercars mid-way through next year when the much anticipated Gen 3 Camaro and Mustang finally make their debuts.

There is a stay of execution for the Gen 3 Camaro race car, however, as Chevrolet has developed a brand new body for the incoming next gen NASCAR which will debut next year. This means the Camaro should remain on track, and therefore in the showrooms, in the US until at least 2023 – so hopefully we won’t have the same scenario Supercars currently faces with the ZB Commodore racing on track long after the road-going car has gone.

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GM has committed $US35billion (AU$48bn) to develop new EV and autonomous models, and plans to launch a staggering 20 new electric cars in the US over the next five years.

The report also claims the Chevy Spark, Trax, Malibu and Buick Encore are all getting the chop as part of the EV transition, with no electric replacements yet identified.

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The Camaro first debuted in 1967

If the Camaro name is to be retired in 2024, it will bring an end to 57 years of one of America’s most iconic muscle cars.