Most Popular Colors in 2004

Silver Retains Lead in Auto-Color Derby, PPG Says in Announcing Global Survey Results

TROY, Mich. - Silver held onto its lead as the most popular automotive color in 2004, continuing a streak of four consecutive years at the top of the color charts, PPG Industries Inc. reported in announcing the results of its annual global color-popularity survey.

With a 27% share, silver topped all other colors among North American vehicles produced in the 2004 model year, moving up from a 24% share in 2003. Silver remained the leading color for all vehicle segments and was highest in the sport/compact category, where it rose to 31%, up from 11% in 2003, for the largest increase in any segment category.

PPG said red and white each held a 14% share of vehicles produced in North America, tying for the second most-popular color. Black finished third at 13%, followed by blue at 12%. The naturals color family - which includes gold, copper, champagne and lighter shades of brown and yellow - captured 11%, while green came in at 5%. Other niche and specialty colors accounted for 4%.

Of the major global auto markets examined by the global survey, silver held a 38% share of 2004 model vehicles. White took second with 15.4%, followed by black with 13.9%, naturals at 9.3%, blue with 8.9%, red at 6.9%, green with 6.3%, and others at just over 1%.

Most Popular Colors in 2007-2009?
PPG Forecasts ‘Brighter, More Dynamic' Auto Colors

TROY, Mich. - The next generation of automotive colors will reflect a "bright and vibrant outlook toward the future," with shades ranging from "techno aquamarine" and rich mahogany to glittering green and delicate yellow, PPG Industries Inc. said in issuing automotive-color forecasts for the 2007-2009 model years. The PPG Global Design and Color Marketing Team unveiled more than 170 colors in the forecast.

"We are seeing that North American consumers are moving away from more traditional shades and moving toward brighter and more dynamic color choices," said Lorene C. Boettcher, PPG manager, Global Design and Color Marketing, Automotive Coatings. Jerry Koenigsmark, PPG manager of Color Design, North America, Automotive Coatings, said effect pigments with strong reflective and angle-dependent color-shifting properties are creating a variety of visual textures that will interest designers and consumers.

PPG forecast the following auto-color trends for North America:

Blue - the trend is toward a range of soft, silvery green-shade blues to "bright techno shades" of aquamarine.

Green - different textural effects and warm undertones range from a new turquoise shade to near gold and will complement new luxury and sport hybrids.

Naturals - new interpretations of gold and beige with fine texture will emerge, as will soft yellow and yellow with red highlights. Russet shades of brown and warm shades inspired by environmental materials such as leather give a new look to tan.

Neutrals - sophisticated and contemporary varieties emerge in medium to dark values with differing hues. Warmer, more dynamic whites will complement the overall palette.

Red - new intense sporty shades, refined yellow-shade reds, mahogany tones with effect highlights and rich, almost purple, tones are being investigated.