It seems that General Motors starts learning from Ford; most exactly from Mustang's success: V6 models are the key to strong sales.

Troy Clarke, president of GM North America, said that the Mustang, launched in 1964, succeeded because it stayed true to its roots as "a very affordable car to a very broad base of people."

High-performance V-8 models, such as the Mustang Cobra and Shelby Mustang, create buzz and draw buyers to showrooms, he said. The Camaro coupe goes on sale in February 2009. The convertible follows about nine months later.

Clarke expects most Camaros will be equipped with a V-6 engine. A Chevrolet source said the car will be offered with a 3.6-liter V-6, producing about 281 hp.

"We know that the mission with the Camaro isn't to create a specialty vehicle with a very narrow appeal that is very much subject to your wallet," Clarke said at the auto show here. "It is going to be a great base car that is going to have a very broad appeal.

"The concept of the car will evolve into a really fun-to-drive, stylish vehicle, as opposed to something that just breathes fire and has more cubic inches than the next guy."

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