The Ford Mustang in 2023 overtook the Dodge Challenger to reclaim the muscle automotive crown within the race for U.S. gross sales.

The Mustang managed 48,605 gross sales, an increase of two.2% on the earlier yr. That determine was possible boosted by the introduction of the redesigned 2024 mannequin final yr.

The Challenger then again noticed its gross sales dive 18% to finish the yr with 44,960 models moved. Manufacturing of the retro muscle automotive got here to an finish in December and a few potential consumers might have held off on their buy to see what Dodge has deliberate for the Challenger’s electrical successor due subsequent yr.

The Camaro, the perennial second runner-up on this race, additionally ended manufacturing final yr, although its gross sales had been up 25.9% to finish the yr with 31,028 models moved. Not like Dodge, Chevy hasn’t introduced a successor to the Camaro. Whereas the nameplate will not be retired, there could also be an extended wait earlier than any successor arrives.

2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E

The Mustang is historically the quickest horse within the gross sales race, and it is nonetheless forward when you depend gross sales of the Mustang Mach-E electrical crossover. Mach-E gross sales had been up 3.3% in 2023, with Ford shifting 40,771 of the them over the interval. That is the closest the Mach-E has been to its gas-powered sibling because the begin of gross sales in 2021.

Whereas the Challenger skilled a pointy drop in gross sales, the identical did not happen to the associated Charger whose manufacturing additionally led to December. Just like the Challenger, the Charger can be because of obtain an electrical successor in 2024, although it nonetheless managed to register 75,920 gross sales in 2023, down simply 5% on the earlier yr.

The previous yr turned out to be a bumper yr for gross sales for the general market after latest declines brought on by the pandemic and the following provide chain points. New automobile gross sales within the U.S. reached round 15.5 million models in 2023, up 12.4% on the earlier yr. Normal Motors had the best gross sales, registering 2.6 million models, up 14.1% on the earlier yr.

The nice occasions might not final although as a result of latest rise in rates of interest making month-to-month funds more durable for customers. EV demand whereas nonetheless rising can be beginning to sluggish.