TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- General Motors's chief executive said Thursday that the automaker will bring back its Chevrolet Camaro muscle car in 2008.

The car will be similar to a concept vehicle unveiled in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Initial production will begin at the end of 2008, and retail sales will start in the first quarter of 2009.

"The overwhelmingly enthusiastic response to the Camaro concept continues to remind me of the uniquely iconic place our products can have in customers’ hearts," GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said. "Camaro is much more than a car; it symbolizes America's spirit and its love affair with the automobile."

The front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sport coupe will feature an independent rear suspension and will be offered in a variety of models with the choice of manual or automatic transmissions and V-6 and V-8 engines.

"We intend to make the all-new Camaro relevant to younger buyers while retaining its appeal to current fans," said Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper. "The beauty of the best Camaros is that they have always been beautiful to look at with performance that rivals expensive European GTs. Yet they were practical enough to drive every day and priced within the reach of many new-car buyers."

Chevrolet stopped producing the fast and sleek car in the 2002 model year after a run that began in 1967.