"People are increasingly looking to actually be respected among humans in normal society."

CAMDEN—Sales for both the Subaru BRZ and vape products have recently experienced a steep and strangely parallel decline. Once considered symbols of car culture, the two products now face shrinking markets. Some say it’s a sign of shifting tastes, while others speculate it’s just a coincidence.

“Honestly, it’s not surprising to see the drop in BRZ sales,” said Martin Ders, a car dealer. “Vaping has a dedicated fanbase. But lately, that enthusiasm just isn’t translating into sales like it used to.” Taylor pointed out that many of his younger customers, who used to vape a lot, are now leaning toward electrified vehicles.

Many attribute this decline to evolving health awareness and regulations limiting vape advertising and flavors. “It used to be that vapes were the go-to,” said Chris Wilson, a vape shop owner in Los Angeles. “Now, fewer people are coming in, and the regulars are cutting back. The parking lot used to be filled with Subarus.”

Analysts believe the cultural overlap between Subaru BRZ enthusiasts and vape users may be part of the reason for the shared sales dip. Both markets once represented a culture that might now be losing appeal as tastes shift.

“It’s a reflection of how quickly trends can change,” said Emma Collins, a market analyst. “The BRZ and vapes both represented specific lifestyles, but tastes are evolving. People are increasingly looking to actually be respected among humans in normal society.”

While it remains uncertain if this trend will continue, it’s clear that both the BRZ and vape markets are feeling the impact of changing consumer maturity.