TROY, MI – According to annual automotive color popularity data released by PPG Industries, Pittsburgh, PA, silver is once again the world’s most popular car color. However, other shades are gaining ground, especially in North America.

 

While silver is still the most popular car color globally - capturing 20 percent in North America, 35 percent in Europe and 37 percent in Asia Pacific – white and black are close on its heels in North America, tying silver in popularity in certain vehicle segments.

 

In North America, silver (20 percent) was followed closely by white (18 percent) and black (17 percent), which was up two percentage points from last year. These were followed by red (13 percent), blue (12 percent), naturals (9 percent), other/niche market colors (7 percent) and green (4 percent).

 

“Although silver is the most popular car color overall, we’re not dealing with the same old silvers anymore,” said Jane E. Harrington, PPG Manager, Color Styling, Automotive Coatings. “With advances in technology and design, silver shades continue to evolve with the incorporation of hue shifts, color tints, aluminum flake size and appearance. Silver, along with black and white, is offered on every vehicle line as part of the core color palette, which also increases its popularity.”

 

Despite the steady popularity of these neutral shades, Harrington said she believes the automotive future is becoming more multicolored.

 

“We’re seeing more abundant color use at major auto shows as consumers start to show increased interest in vivid, intense shades,” Harrington said. “Today’s consumers are in tune with brand images, and they see premium colors on everything from cell phones to washers and dryers. Good color design is not considered a bonus anymore, it’s an expectation.”

 

In Europe, silver (35 percent) was followed by black (24 percent), blue (12 percent), white (11 percent), red (8 percent), naturals (6 percent), green (3 percent) and other/niche colors (1 percent).

 

In the Asia Pacific region, silver (37 percent) was followed by white (14 percent), black (13 percent), blue (11 percent), red (8 percent), naturals (7 percent), other/niche colors (6 percent) and green (4 percent).

 

Blue is being pegged as the most vital color focus for the global automotive industry going forward. “Blue will be the new major color area for the coming years,” said Reiner Mueller-Koerber, PPG Manager, Color Styling, Europe. “Dark blues have the potential to replace traditional dark grays and blacks, while lighter blues can be seen as variations of tinted silvers. Blue has the ability to cover the spectrum, from rich and deep to clean and fresh.”

 

Mi Hwa Lee, Color Stylist, PPG Korea, said, “Although silver, white and black are still overwhelmingly popular, it is obvious that many blue tones are increasing in popularity, especially in China. For that reason, various tones of blue in hues from medium to dark are being developed specifically for the Asia-Pacific region.”