Top 10 car colors: white continues its reign

[Miss Mia]

Top 10 car colors: white continues its reign



What is your mood right now? If it were a color, what would it be? Global automotive color giant DuPont takes more than an academic interest in these questions, and its 2008 Automotive Color Popularity Report paints a picture of how consumers’ car color choices reflect a people's mind-set.

In the report, white reigns at No.1 for the second year in a row after a seven-year run by silver for North America. The experts at DuPont say the color white is a sort of palette cleanser.

“White is a transitional color that signals a pause after a long- running trend and in advance of a new trend.” So says Karen Surcina, color-marketing manager of DuPont Performance coatings.

According to Surcina, the data show the increasing influence of color as a deciding factor in purchase decisions. “This year’s research showed an emerging trend of more people –- nearly 40% -- who are willing to change their choice of vehicle based on the available colors of the car."

The graphic shows how the data stacked up in 2008. Trends that go beyond color are what DuPont calls “conservative differentiation.” That is, taking neutral colors like white, black and silver and tinting, coating or otherwise making them shimmer and shine through color processes. The study includes data for aftermarket customization as well as new car sales.

So, what color is your car and what does it mean? Check out our color gallery to find out more about color choices.

-- Joni Gray

I have a metallic gray car.  My previous car was white and I think I'd go white again, unless someone wants to buy me a new Tiguan (they're bringing it out in a TDI ) then I want the Silvery-White color VW does.

#5 – Grey
A variation or off-shoot of Silver, Grey is gaining in popularity across all car categories in the U.S. – sports cars, SUVs, trucks and sedans. The metallic effects are popular within the varying hues of grey as well.

[BEG]

Mine is black, the one I had before that was white, the one before that was black and the one before that was silver, then black again......

I don't like Blue cars, sorry to those of you who have blue cars.  Actually if it was a really dark midnight blue it wouldn't be bad, it's that primary blue color that I can't stand.

[Chris_]

My first Mazda was silver, second Mazda was metallic grey, and the third (and current one) is a metallic red.  I like most colors though (except for that nasty olive green that Toyota has available for the Highlander... YUCK! )

[Chris_]

Waddya mean white is the most popular.  Dang racists.   

We have one white and one blue.  I would never own a gray car....it's a safety thing with me.  They look nice, but are hard to see in bad weather.  I don't want to drive something that matches the pavement.

[DixieBelle]

silver/grey for me.

[Miss Mia]

Two colours to not have in Arizona...white & black.

My SUV is "Sandstone", mixes in with the dust quite well.

Metallic gray hides the dirt quite well. 

[Miss Mia]

Sandstone is kinda a gold colour.

I see, yes that would hide sand well. 

[NHSparky]

Silver here.  Doesn't hide road salt well at all, which in a way is a good thing.

[SaintLouieWoman]

I have a metallic gray car.  My previous car was white and I think I'd go white again, unless someone wants to buy me a new Tiguan (they're bringing it out in a TDI ) then I want the Silvery-White color VW does.

Our new (to us) car is a graphite grey, a metallic dark grey, almost black. SR really liked that color. The other chice they had was black, but we thought it would be way too hot in the summer.

The previous car was dark green. I noted that the color wasn't popular and was a negative on the car value.

SR's Blazer is white and surprisingly always looks fairly clean.

[Chris_]

SR's Blazer is white and surprisingly always looks fairly clean.

That's the same thing with my mom's white Toyota Highlander.  It, for some reason, always manages to appear very clean, even though it only goes to the car wash every 3 months or so (when she gets an oil change).

[terry]

We buy late model used vehicles and don't really consider color much. 

We have a minivan now that is a color called Magnesium.   Some say green, some say blue, some say grey. 
magnesium van

My favorite car ever was my white toyota camry.   Before that I had black Subaru and before that a red Ford escort.

[debk]

I have a dark sapphire blue Nissan Murano....I would have gotten a green one, except it was an ugly color. First blue car I have ever had, and probably won't get another, provided I can find a green that I like. My lease is up in September, so I guess I will start looking around late this summer.

Last one was a white Grand Cherokee Limited and the GCL before that was dark green.

Had a dark green Mazda 626 and a dark green 735 BMW before that.

I like green cars. Hate the "champagne" colors. When I was getting rid of the BMW (couldn't afford it after divorce)....I was looking at Mazda's and this car salesman told me "a lady like you needs this champagne 4 cylinder 626 and you will be right happy".  Give me a break!!! Told him I wanted dark green and a 6 cylinder.....he told me they didn't come that way. I went to a different dealership and they found me one!
Not long after I got it....I got pulled over by the police for the first time in my life for speeding. (I was 39)....I was 20 miles over the limit when he passed me. I didn't get a ticket though.....y'all know how it is with a new car....Ah jus'  didn't realize how fast I was goin'....<a href="http://plugin.smileycentral.com/http%253A%252F%252Fwww.smileycentral.com%252F%253Fpartner%253DZSzeb008%255FZN%2526i%253D11%252F11%255F4%255F123v%2526feat%253Dprof/page.html" target="_blank">