Color Me Bored: Silver is Still the Most Popular Color
By: Philip LeBeau | CNBC Auto and Airline Industry Reporter
If our cars are an extension of the image we want to portray, we are boring. Not just a little boring, I mean we are lacking a pulse boring. Why do I say that? Just look at the latest surveyfrom DuPont about the most popular colors for cars and trucks around the world. Warning: don't expect to find this list intriguing.
- 1. Silver – 26 %
- 2. Black/Black Effect – 24 %
- 3. White/White Pearl and Gray – 16% each (tie)
- 5. Red – 6 %
- 6. Blue – 5 %
- 7. Brown/Beige – 3 %
- 8. Green – 2 %
- 9. Yellow/Gold – 1 %
- 10. Others – under 1 %
So according to this latest survey, more than two thirds of the cars and trucks out on the road are silver, black, white, or gray.
I'm not surprised.
People go with neutral colors because it will easier to sell the car down the road, because it's in stock when they are at a dealership buying a particular model, and yes, because some colors don't show the need to be washed (I always hear this from friends who pick black over white).
Listen, these are all perfectly logical reasons, but it still doesn't change the fact we are a society of boring conformity when it comes to our cars.
Last night CNBC's Jane Wellssaid, "Know the Audi ad where everyone has a silver Lexus and the kid is confused? That's me. Just tried to get in someone else's Lexus. Again." Jane, you are not the only person to have that experience.
All of this makes me long for the days in the early and mid 70's when you'd see a wider variety of colors out on the road. Sure, the lime green AMC Pacers were hideous, but at least they made you laugh. A friend of mine had a gold Plymouth Duster with three on the tree. Ahhh, those were the days.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go out and get in my silver SUV.
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