What high gas prices? Muscle cars segment outsold hybrids in May

2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8

As egmCarTech previously reported, May brought in some considerably low sales numbers for alternative-fuel vehicles, despite steadily climbing gas prices. Not only did conventionally powered cars outsell them, but American muscles cars saw better numbers, as well.

The Chevorlet Camaro, which brought in the highest numbers of all the American muscle in May, the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger together sold over 1,600 more units than all of the fuel-efficient vehicles combined.

Aside from high gas prices, much of these numbers have to do with the disaster in Japan. With the most popular hybrids being produced in the same place that has seen repeated tragedy, sales were much lower than normal.

Additionally, the increasing fuel-efficiency of the American muscle cars can be factored into the odd sales change. Of course, the V-8 versions won’t be stretching your dollar at the pump, but V-6 versions offer an improvement in that respect. Getting 300-hp while also getting 30 mpg defiantly has its appeal, and the Ford Mustang is the first to do it in their V6 version.

So will June sales continue in this fashion? I’m curious to know how many readers would pass up a pump-friendly hybrid for V-6 muscle with a slightly improved mpg?

– By: Alexandra Koken

Source: USAToday