The Best Advertising Balloon for a Car Dealership
The best advertising balloon for a car dealership is a 13–18 ft polyurethane helium blimp flown above the lot, a 7–10 ft helium sphere balloon (visible for over a mile depending on terrain), or a cold-air rooftop inflatable kept inflated by an electric fan — no helium at all.
Arizona Balloon Company has manufactured advertising balloons in the USA since 1979 and is the only USA-based polyurethane blimp manufacturer. We are BBB A+ rated, members of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, and our inflatables are trusted by NASA, JPL, the U.S. Navy, and Arizona State University.
Why Our 13 ft Blimp Beats a 20 ft PVC Blimp
Polyurethane material costs 8x more than PVC — and it is worth it. It is far lighter and stronger, so the blimp flies better, flies in more conditions, and sips helium:
| Our polyurethane blimp | Imported PVC blimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Helium loss | ~1% per day | ~3% per day |
| Helium to fill (13 ft) | 170 cu ft | 600+ cu ft for a comparable PVC blimp |
| Weight | Light — flies steady on less lift | Heavy — needs a much bigger envelope to fly |
| Performance | A 13 ft polyurethane blimp outperforms a 20 ft PVC blimp | Sags and dives in wind |
| Arizona summer | Built and tested here | Stiffens, fades, cracks |
Dealership Options and Pricing
| Product | Size | Price | Helium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blimp | 13′ | $975 | 170 cu ft |
| Blimp | 15′ | $1,258 | 255 cu ft |
| Blimp | 18′ | $1,813 | 329 cu ft |
| Helium sphere balloon | 7′ | $445 | 180 cu ft |
| Helium sphere balloon | 10′ | $817 | 524 cu ft |
| Cold-air rooftop inflatable | varies | quote | none — electric fan |
Add lettering ("SALE", "0% APR") or banners; custom orders ship 2–4 weeks from artwork approval with a free art mockup. Call 1-800-791-1445 or see the full price list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a blimp, a sphere, and a rooftop balloon?
A blimp and a sphere are helium-filled and fly on a tether above your lot. A rooftop balloon is a cold-air inflatable that sits on your roof and stays inflated with an electric fan — zero helium cost, runs all month for the price of the electricity.
How much helium does a dealership blimp need?
Our 13 ft blimp fills with just 170 cu ft and loses about 1% per day — so you top off occasionally instead of refilling constantly. Comparable PVC blimps need several times the helium and lose about 3% per day.
How far away can customers see it?
A 7–10 ft helium sphere can be seen for over a mile depending on terrain; blimps at altitude do as well or better.
Do I need a permit?
Many cities regulate tethered balloons; check your local sign code. Tether height under 150 ft avoids FAA requirements in most areas.
Balloon or inflatable tube man?
Tube men grab close-range attention; a blimp or sphere is visible from over a mile. High-volume dealerships often run both.