U.S. muscle car sales fell 15 percent to 62,096 units during the third quarter of 2020. All four models in the segment saw sales decline, though some models fared better than others.
The Dodge Charger remained the best-selling model in the segment, with 23,547 deliveries (down 10 percent). Its two-door brother, the Dodge Challenger, took second place with 16,332 units (down 9 percent). Ford Mustang took third with 13,851 units (down 18 percent) and the Chevy Camaro took fourth with 8,366 deliveries (down 32 percent).
Sales Numbers - Muscle Cars - Q3 2020 - United States
| MODEL | Q3 20 / Q3 19 | Q3 20 | Q3 19 | Q3 20 SHARE | Q3 19 SHARE | YTD 20 / YTD 19 | YTD 20 | YTD 19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DODGE CHARGER | -9.64% | 23,547 | 26,060 | 38% | 36% | -24.58% | 53,631 | 71,106 |
| DODGE CHALLENGER | -9.42% | 16,332 | 18,031 | 26% | 25% | -17.88% | 38,350 | 46,699 |
| FORD MUSTANG | -17.67% | 13,851 | 16,823 | 22% | 23% | -13.96% | 47,637 | 55,365 |
| CHEVROLET CAMARO | -31.85% | 8,366 | 12,275 | 13% | 17% | -39.59% | 22,226 | 36,791 |
| TOTAL | -15.16% | 62,096 | 73,189 | -22.92% | 161,844 | 209,961 |
The Charger led the segment with 38 percent share, followed by the Challenger with 26 percent. The Mustang took 22 percent while the Camaro took 13 percent. The two Dodge muscle cars accounted for a leading 64 percent of the segment. Additionally, the Dodge models were the only two vehicles in the segment to outpace the average segment decline.
The Motrolix Take
Muscle car sales during Q3 2020 were impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, sales showed a substantial recovery when compared to the second quarter of 2020, when volumes fell 41 percent to only 43,728 units.
Sales Numbers - Muscle Cars - Q2 2020 - United States
| MODEL | Q2 20 / Q2 19 | Q2 20 | Q2 19 | Q2 20 SHARE | Q2 19 SHARE | YTD 20 / YTD 19 | YTD 20 | YTD 19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DODGE CHARGER | -53.11% | 11,456 | 24,431 | 26% | 33% | -33.21% | 30,084 | 45,046 |
| DODGE CHALLENGER | -35.16% | 9,880 | 15,237 | 23% | 21% | -23.20% | 22,018 | 28,668 |
| FORD MUSTANG | -27.32% | 15,717 | 21,625 | 36% | 29% | -12.34% | 33,786 | 38,542 |
| CHEVROLET CAMARO | -46.31% | 6,675 | 12,433 | 15% | 17% | -43.47% | 13,860 | 24,516 |
| TOTAL | -40.69% | 43,728 | 73,726 | -27.07% | 99,748 | 136,772 |
Despite the recovery experienced in Q3, it’s clear that the muscle segment is continuing to contract, and rather rapidly. Though the Mustang’s future has been set with a next-generation S650 model, that of the Charger, Challenger seems a bit more murky, while that of the Camaro is outright bleak.
About The Numbers
- Data compiled by Motrolix for United States
- There were 77 selling days for Q3 2020 and 76 selling days for Q3 2019
