The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, in association with My Plates, recently released a list of the top-selling specialty license plates of 2013. The black “Lone Star” plate — sold to 10,595 Texas motorists — was the best seller of the year.
It has been the No. 1 selling plate for four years in a row, and it is the state's fastest-selling license plate, with more than 46,000 sold in less than five years. The second most popular plate — the black “Texas 1845” — came in a rather distant second, with 4,400 sold. In fact, the black Lone Star plate sold more than the next four plates combined.
The Houston Texans plate took top honors in the sports team category — and No. 6 overall — with more than double the sales of the Dallas Cowboys plate.
Rounding out the top five behind the black Lone Star and Texas 1845 plates are the black “T for Texas,” black “Small Star” and pink “Lone Star” varieties.
No Dallas-specific plates cracked the top 10, and the Dallas Cowboys plate ranked only second among sports teams. The Houston Texans plate took top honors in that category — and No. 6 overall — with more than double the sales of the Cowboys plate. Apparently, Houstonians support their football team even when they place last in the NFL.
As for college license plates, Texas A&M University's plate — No. 9 overall with 850 sold — retained its spot as the No. 1 best-selling college or university plate in the state for the second year in a row. A different variation of the Aggie plate held down the No. 2 spot, followed by Texas Tech and the University of Texas. Just further proof that Aggies love their school more than anyone else.
Speaking of Aggie pride, last fall, Houston attorney and Texas A&M regent Tony Buzbee paid $115,000 to use “12thman” on an A&M license plate. Buzbee then gave the plate to 2003 graduate Dan Moran, a decorated war veteran, for exemplifying the spirit of the 12th Man by living “a life of honor, courage and commitment – all hallmarks of Aggie leadership.”
Personalized license plates have been available in Texas since 1965, but My Plates changed the market since taking over the state's specialty plate program in 2009. In four years, the online retailer has sold more than 173,000 plates to Texas drivers, adding more than $20 million to the state's general revenue fund.
The Houston Texans plate ranked No. 6 overall and No. 1 among sports teams in the top-selling personalized plates of 2013.
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