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

The Mustang managed 48,605 gross sales, an increase of two.2% over the earlier 12 months. That determine was possible boosted by the introduction of the redesigned 2024 mannequin final 12 months.

Challenger gross sales, then again, dove 18% to finish the 12 months with 44,960 models moved. Manufacturing of the retro muscle automobile 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 this 12 months.

The Camaro, the perennial second runner-up on this race, additionally ended manufacturing final 12 months, although its gross sales had been up 25.9% to finish the 12 months with 31,028 models moved. Not like Dodge, Chevy hasn’t introduced a successor to the Camaro. Whereas the nameplate gained’t be retired, there could also be an extended wait earlier than any successor arrives.

The Mustang is historically the quickest horse within the gross sales race, and it’s nonetheless forward in the event you depend gross sales of the Mustang Mach-E electrical crossover as a muscle automobile competitor (which we wouldn’t). Mach-E gross sales had been up 3.3% in 2023 as Ford moved 40,771 of them. That’s 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 didn’t happen to the associated Charger whose manufacturing additionally resulted in December. Just like the Challenger, the Charger can also be as a consequence of obtain an electrical successor in 2024, although it nonetheless managed to register 75,920 gross sales in 2023, down simply 5% versus the earlier 12 months.

The previous 12 months turned out to be a bumper 12 months for gross sales for the general market after current declines attributable to the pandemic and the following provide chain points. New car gross sales within the U.S. reached round 15.5 million models in 2023, up 12.4% versus 2022. Common Motors had the very best gross sales of any automaker, registering 2.6 million models, up 14.1% versus the earlier 12 months.

The nice occasions might not final, although, as a result of current rise in rates of interest making month-to-month funds tougher for shoppers. EV demand, whereas nonetheless rising, can also be beginning to gradual.

This text was initially revealed by Motor Authority, an editorial companion of ClassicCars.com