Panther Next Big GM Move

Panther: GM’s New Secret Weapon?

General Motors just stirred the pot by filing a trademark for the “Panther” name, sending Camaro enthusiasts into a frenzy. For those out of the loop, Panther was the original codename for the Camaro. This adds an interesting twist to the ongoing speculation about the Camaro’s potential comeback. However, a new Camaro revival seems unlikely, leading many to wonder—what’s Panther all about?

Affordable Sports Car?

Word on the street is that GM isn’t planning another big pony car. Rather, Panther might see a smaller, budget-friendly sports car in the vein of the Toyota GR86. It’s a clever approach—as a leaner development than a traditional V8, it cuts costs. But that also means GM must work carefully to keep profit margins. Toyota’s secret is splitting the tab with Subaru for the GR86, and similar partnerships might be how GM could pull this off.

Why Not A New Camaro?

Making a solid business case for sports cars is a tall order these days. The Camaro bid farewell in December 2023, with its last model year logging only 6,000 sold. Compare that to the 70,000 units sold back in 2016, and one sees why GM slammed the brakes on a new Camaro. Even dealerships had unopened Camaros sitting as late as February 2025. Sure, GM’s trademark shenanigans stirred the pot, but that’s about as telling as a trademark application for Pontiac—that storied brand isn’t making a comeback either.

Electric SUV In The Works?

Let’s talk electric—it’s the direction everyone’s headed. Back in 2021, a future electric sedan was Camaro’s hopeful evolution. Fast forward to now, and an electric Panther-branded crossover might be less polarizing than tagging an SUV with Camaro’s legacy. Automakers like Ford have already tread this path with their Mustang Mach-E. Seeing a swanky EV crossover dubbed Panther hitting the streets wouldn’t be surprising—and GM could just be leading the charge with that playbook.