The sales data is in for Q1 2025. Sports cars hailing from the US of A aren’t doing so hot. A massive sales decline struck Chevrolet’s Corvette–which is nicknamed “America’s sports car.” But the entire muscle car segment is in free fall. At the same time, Japanese sports cars are having an excellent year here in North America.

America’s sports car sales in free fall

In Q1, 2025, Chevrolet’s Corvette sales dropped 21% to 6,794 vehicles. That’s a big drop for a vehicle that already isn’t moving many units. For comparison’s sake, Chevrolet has seen over 40,00 Silverado sales every month of 2025. But the Corvette wasn’t the biggest loser in the sports car category.

Ford’s Mustang sales fell 32% in Q1 2025. Ford sold just 9,377 pony cars. Meanwhile Dodge’s redesigned electric Charger is basically not selling. Dodge moved 1,947 2025 Chargers so far. That may be a supply issue, as production has just begun. Dodge has actually sold more gasoline-powered Chargers leftover on dealership lots from last year’s inventory in Q1 2025, than fresh 2025 Charger EVs.

What about the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger? Those Detroit muscle cars were both canceled ahead of the 2025 model year. This makes the lackluster sales of the remaining American sports cars all the more shocking. But it appears Challenger and Camaro fans are looking beyond American models for their next sports car.

Japanese sports car sales surge as American models struggle

Nissan’s sold 2,154 of its “Z” sports cars thus far in 2025. That might not sound like much, but its and increase of 221% over the same period last year. Toyota GR86 sales are up 36%, its mechanically-identical Subaru BRZ climbed 4.7%. Meanwhile Mazda MX-5 Miata sales are through the roof: up 73%.

What’s going on here? I previously wrote that the “take rate” of manual transmissions has tripled in just a few years. It appears that enthusiasts are seeking out small, “toss able” and cheap sports cars that corner well instead of hunting down straight-line speed. Obviously, the mid-engine Corvette corners very well. But its MSRP is more than twice the Miata’s.