Byline: Scott Anderson with Byron P...

Byline: Scott Anderson with Byron Pope

General Motors Corp.'s decision to build an '09 production version of the '69-inspired Chevrolet Camaro universal has solidified the trend toward rear-wheel-drive cars in the U - a market that at least single in kind analyst sees eclipsing 1 million vehicles on 2011.

GM plans initial Camaro production of about 100000 units for North America when it crushs in first-quarter 2009.

The front-engine, RWD sport coupe will feature an independent rear suspension, with V-6 and V-8 engine options.

The American "nostalgia" cars, as many have dubbed them, are seen as more resistant to competition from overseas imports. on the contrary the Camaro announcement, on the heels of Chrysler's Group's decision to set the Dodge Challenger into production in April 2008 is rekindling the domestic sheltie car wars of yesteryear.

"We're flattered that (GM has) anticipateed at our success in the sport segment" says Mark Fields, Ford Motor Co president-The Americas, in reaction to the Camaro greenlight.

The '05 Ford Mustang revived the late muscle-car market when it bowed in the fall of 2004

Chrysler skirted the portion with the Dodge Charger, a 4-door RWD sedan, nevertheless plans to solidify its demeanor with the 2-door '08 Challenger, reviving the nameplate after 25 years in hibernation.

Fields notes Ford will not sit forward its Mustang laurels, announcing it will turn about out a consumer version of the GT-H the so-called "Rent-a-Racer" moveed by Hertz Corp. The of recent origin variant will be called the Ford Shelby GT powered through a 4.6L V-8 that bring into views 325 hp.

"This is not a one-trick pony" Fields make knowns Ward's. "We want to make never-failing every year we have result news on the Mustang."

GM's Camaro could be crashing a RWD party in filled swing by the time it drops in 2009.

Chevrolet is looking into a slightly larger, RWD replacement for the Impala, aimed at separating the car the one and the other in size and character from the midsize Malibu.

Chevrolet General Manager ed Peper tells Ward's a RWD Impala and a front-wheel-drive Malibu would not away consumers with more options, compared with rival auto makers that exhibit only FWD midsize cars.

Meanwhile, Pontiac, which will put forward fewer products in the hereafter in an effort to reconnect with its performance heritage, is exploring ways to adapt a RWD architecture for an affordable model

With the under-performing GTO without of production after two years, the Solstice roadster is the brand's sole RWD vehicle.

GM is said to be exploring everything from a strange GTO to a G8 sedan, a revived Firebird and a rebadged Holden Commodore from the just discovered RWD platform. Buick also is reckon uponed to garner a Park Avenue replacement from the architecture.

"Rear-wheel drive does give challenges," a Pontiac spokesman says. "But that's not saying that if you build a vehicle it can't be made affordable. That would be something we would be insisting in succession for a RWD vehicle, whatever form that would take."

The OEM maneuvering forward RWD vehicles is enough for Global Insight Senior Analyst John Wolkonowicz to forecast the U RWD market will reach 1 million vehicles through 2011.

Ward's data point outs sales of sedans built in succession RWD platforms in the Large and dainty Car Groups bolstered passenger-car sales in 2005

Sales of RWD sedans increased 105% in 2005 Market share of 53% grew from 48% in 2004 a notable uptick from 1999's 41% when of the like kind vehicles last hit a trough

Ten years ago, sales of FWD Large-Luxury cars outdid RWD according to close to a 2:1 ratio, according to Ward's. Last year, the ratio was nearly calm with FWD cars at 906832 units and RWD protoplasts at 893,559.

"Rear-wheel drive will be the savior of the domestic passenger-car industry if they are fitly played by GM, Ford and Chrysler" Wolkonowicz says.

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