General Motors announced it will stop production of one of its iconic muscle cars as the automaker shifts to an all-electric lineup. The last Chevrolet Camaro,  the final sixth generation, will roll off the General Motors' Lansing Grand River Assembly plant line in January 2024, bringing a 57 year run to a close. Production of the sixth generation model began in late 2016 and has comprised a small part of Chevrolet’s overall sales. Last year, GM sold 24,652 Camaros, up 12.5% compared to 2021. 

Four distinct generations of the Camaro were developed before production ended in 2002. The nameplate was revived on a concept car that evolved into the fifth-generation Camaro; production started on March 16, 2009 and will end with the current generation. 

GM will release a collector’s edition package on several of its 2024 Camaro models, including the top-end ZL1. The Collector’s Edition will pay "homage to Camaro, resurfacing ties that date back to the development of the first generation Camaro in the 1960s," GM said in a news release.

The first Camaro was a pilot production car assembled before those intended to be sold to the public.

It rolled off the line on May 21, 1966. It was one of 49 pilot prototypes built at General Motors Company’s Norwood plant just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio. The Camaro is the third most popular collector car in the United States, based on insurance stats compiled by Hagerty. The Corvette is at the top of the list followed by the Ford Mustang in second place.

GM has hinted it will follow Ford’s lead and produce a fully electric Camaro that will complete with the Mustang Mach-e and Tesla's Model 3. Scott Bell, vice president of Global Chevrolet, did not say what will replace the muscle car, but said "this is not the end of Camaro’s story." Rumors have been flying around that the automaker will release an electric version for 2025, and that the design will be strongly influenced by the original late 60s Camaro look. 

Last year the company announced it will invest $7 billion in four manufacturing facilities in Michigan, in its quest to be fully electric by 2035, making the state a "hub" of electric vehicle development and manufacturing.  About half a billion dollars of that will be spent to make upgrades to its two existing vehicle assembly plants in Lansing MI., including Grand River Assembly. Mary Berra, GM’s CEO,  called it the "single largest investment in GM history," saying the move will create 4,000 jobs and retain 1,000 others. Economists say that, in turn, will create thousands more ancillary jobs. GM currently employs 50,631 people in Michigan.