According to the results of PPG Industries latest annual automotive color popularity and trend data study, white remains the single most popular color with car buyers around the world. Globally, it was found on 22 percent of 2012 vehicles, followed by silver (20 percent), black (19 percent), gray (12 percent), red (9 percent), natural (8 percent), blue (7 percent), green (2 percent), and other colors (1 percent). Save for black and silver swapping places, the big four preference ranking was identical here in North America.
Despite the continuing predominance of those largely neutral hues, Jane E. Harrington, PPG manager, color styling, automotive OEM noted: “Our consumer research has clearly shown that color is critically important to car buyers.” Results of the survey, conducted annually by the world’s largest manufacturer of transportation coatings, saw 77 percent of respondents claim that exterior color was a factor in their purchase decision and 45 percent said they’d like to see an even wider range of choices in the mix.
To help foster interest in expanding the palette, PPG presented manufacturers with 64 new color alternatives at its Automotive Color Trend Show. Prime among the group being offered for consideration on 2015-2016 models were Al Fresco, a green-tinted silver metallic; Victoria Grey, a classic grey with an iridescent gold highlight of gold metal; Opulence, a refined red pearl with intense jewel tone; Glacier, an icy graphite grey with a tinge of violet blue; Sunshine, a bright high-sparkle intense yellow; and Elixir, a metallic blend of silver and magenta.
According to Harrington, “The palette being developed for the automotive segment continues to be influenced by culture, nature, fashion, interior design, color popularity and new pigment technology.” PPG says gold, bronze and copper are continuing to become more popular as are various metallic flake effects.
