There are many ways to measure annual sales of cars, trucks, and SUVs. One way to measure these new car sales is the number of oversized bows dealers buy for decoration. Some bow salespeople report that sales have plummeted this year. This shows that fewer people are buying new cars with bows and sport utility vehicles.
New car sales fell from 17 million to 13.7 million in recent years
Cox Automotive, the parent company of Kelly Blue Book, estimates that Americans are buying fewer cars. King Size Bows, the company that sells these oversized bows and ribbons, agrees with that quote. Fewer cars moving out of the parking lot means fewer ribbons adorning the hood and roof. "Manufacturers and distributors of car bows, oversized ornaments that attach to the hoods and roofs of cars, say business has plummeted this holiday season," said Joe Pinsker of The Wall Street Journal. I am reporting," he said.
According to King Size Bows, sales are down 35% this season alone. A Kerr Bow store in Pennsylvania also reported a decline in sales, but did not provide exact numbers. Cox Automotive predicts that the US driver will buy more than 13 million cars this year, down from 15 million last year. That number was 17 million before the pandemic.
Complicating issues from the pandemic have increased demand and slowed supply, especially with respect to semiconductor chip shortages. Things are slowly getting back to normal, but many people are avoiding car purchases if possible until prices drop further.
Iowa's Golden Openings says its automotive ribbon sales have increased 40% this year alone. Kimberly Baeth, owner of Golden Openings, says the addition of bows can sometimes make sales sweeter. Putting a bow on every car you sell is a great way to get more people to share your photos and get recognition for your car sale on social media.
Tom Maori owns a Lexus dealership in New Jersey and says gifts make up about 15% of sales during the holiday season. In most cases, the buyer has had some conversation about buying a car before. Bows just add to the fun of new car sales.
Buyers want reliability more than ever. That means keeping your car longer rather than buying a new one every few years. The potential lifespan of some of his SUVs he has over 200,000 miles, and buyers seem more interested than ever in reaching those milestones. These types of buyers probably won't buy many large bows.
You don't have to buy a car to get a bow!
Bows on the hoods of recently sold vehicles | Luke Charlett/Bloomberg via Getty Images
If you want to buy bows from King Size Bows for your new car, prices range from $39.99 for a 20 inch 7 loop bow to $149.99 for "The King of Big Rew Bows". However, the Big Red Bows Queen is only $79.99. Don't forget to add suction cups for easy installation. King Size Bows states that these bows can be "used in cars, homes, jets, displays and ribbon cutouts to make any occasion memorable".
More reliable cars means fewer new car sales, but hopefully people will need more big red ribbons next year. Get permission before gifting someone a new car, but if not, bows make up for it.
