There are many ways to measure how many cars, trucks, and SUVs are sold annually. One way to measure those new car sales includes how many oversized bows dealers buy for decorations. Some bow vendors report that sales have plummeted this year, indicating that fewer people are buying new cars or sport utility vehicles with bows on top.
New car sales have dropped from 17 million to 13.7 million in recent years
Cox Automotive, the parent company of Kelley’s Blue Book, estimates that Americans are buying fewer vehicles. The company that sells those oversized bows and ribbons, King Size Bows, agrees with that estimate. Fewer cars pulling out of lots means fewer bows to adorn the hood or roof. Joe Pinsker of the Wall Street Journal said: “Manufacturers and sellers of auto ornaments, the oversized decorations that are attached to hoods and roofs, are reporting a sharp drop in business this holiday season.”
King Size Bows says sales are down 35% this season alone. The Car Bow Store in Pennsylvania is also reporting a drop in sales, but did not put out an exact number. Cox Automotive noted that American drivers would buy more than 13 million cars this year, up from 15 million last year. That number was 17 million before the pandemic.
Complications from the pandemic increased demand and slowed supply, especially with regards to semiconductor chip shortages. Things are slowly getting back to normal, but many people still avoid buying a car, if possible, until prices drop further.
Not all new car sales require a bow, but many will get one.
One tie company, Golden Openings in Iowa, says sales of car straps are up 40% this year alone. Golden Openings owner Kimberly Baeth says sometimes adding a bow can make the sale sweeter. Putting a ribbon on every car that is sold is a great way to get more people to share a photo or acknowledge the sale of the vehicle on social media.
Tom Maoli owns a Lexus dealership in New Jersey and says about 15% of sales during the holiday season are gifts. Most of the time, buyers have had some kind of conversation about buying a car before. A lasso adds to the fun of selling a new car.
Buyers are looking for reliability now more than ever, which means keeping a car longer instead of buying a new vehicle every few years. Some SUVs have a potential lifespan of 200,000 miles or more, and buyers seem more interested than ever in hitting those milestones. These types of buyers probably won’t buy many large bows.
You don’t have to buy a car to get a lasso!
If you want to buy a bow of king size bows For your new car, prices range from $39.99 for a 20-inch seven-row bow to $149.99 for “The King of Big Rew Bows.” However, The Queen of Big Red Bows is only $79.99. Don’t forget to add a suction cup for easy placement. King Size Bows says you can use these bows for “cars, homes, jets, displays, and ribbon cuttings to make any occasion memorable.”
More reliable cars mean fewer new car sales, but hopefully people will need more big red ribbons next year. And hopefully people get permission before gifting someone a new car, but if they don’t, the lasso makes up for it. Otherwise, here are some gift ideas that don’t involve insurance and taxes.