Apr 2, 2008

Can you Name America's Top Car Color?

Silver’s reign as the top automotive color in North America has ended.  After lording it over other car colors for a lengthy seven years, silver has been supplanted by that non-color color so dear to Apple fans -- white. Following recent global trends in home furnishings, fashion and consumer products, white/white pearl has ascended to number one. But it wasn’t by a landslide.  White narrowly took the top spot, while the erstwhile numero uno -- silver -- came in a close second, and black landed third.

With color trends shifting, other colors are vying for a comeback. Red continues to gain momentum in the past few years, and colors like brown are getting a fresh start. Since the ‘80s, brown has had negative connotations, among them the fact that it is the color of mud. But with the explosion of coffee, that image has begun to change. In fact, Buick’s cocoa-metallic shade makes up more than a third of sales for its Enclave crossover vehicle, according to General Motors.

Overall, metallic colors are on the rise as well. Hue-shifting, iridescent paints and unusual effects are also gaining in popularity. Since many drivers think about a car as a fashion statement, the right combination of color, hue and gloss can make all the difference. And getting color just right requires rigorous testing. Automotive paint is not only tested for the effects of extreme weather, but its adhesion and durability properties as well. To keep up with fast-moving trends, tests for new paint properties are constantly being experimented with and developed.