Publications
Partners
From electric mobility to digitalisation, the automotive sector is experiencing a constant revolution but there is still a special moment at the time of buying a vehicle that has not changed - choosing the colour of their future car.
But what lies behind a choice that thousands of customers make every day all over the world?
Car colours - Global and SA:
White tops the list
According to car colour specialists, Axalta Coating Systems, white is the most popular colour in the world; 39% of car owners prefer this colour, which tops the list for the seventh consecutive year. Its predominance differs according to region. In Asia, for example, this colour is all the rage.
Six out of every ten cars sold in China are white. On the other hand, in Europe and the United States its share amounts to around 25%, according to Axalta.
Image: TheNewsMarket
Black and grey come next
Black is the second most popular colour worldwide, with a 16% share but again the differences by country are quite significant. 22% of all cars in Japan are black, while in India hardly any can be found, partly because people believe the colour concentrates more heat
And on a curious note, it is a colour that is officially forbidden in Turkmenistan as it is associated with bad luck. In the case of grey, 11% of customers worldwide choose it, and it ties with silver, according to Axalta.
Silver is also especially popular in India, with a 30% share, whereas only 6% of Chinese customers have a car this colour.
Image: TheNewsMarket
Mediterranean red
Further down the ranking, the specifics of each region are even more apparent. For example, in Europe and the United States, the colour blue has a prominent place, with a 10% share, while in China it is practically nowhere to be found. Mediterranean countries prefer brighter colours.
Image: TheNewsMarket
By segments:
Geography is not the only influencing factor - another aspect to consider is the type of car.
Jordi Font, from SEAT's Colourr and Trim department said: "A sporty model won't have the same colour palette as an SUV, which requires earthy tones and other shades better suited to nature. Small cars can have single bright colours, while larger vehicles tend towards dark metallic tones."
For example, 34% of luxury SUVs in Europe are black, while the figure goes down by half in the case of compact cars. On the other hand, only 3% of luxury SUV owners choose red, which increases to 10% in the case of compacts.
Image: TheNewsMarket
A multitude of personal preferences but a common sentiment
Choosing the colour that best suits each driver: "Design is a deciding factor when it comes to choosing a model, and this is where colours and materials play an essential role. We can't forget that colour choice is extremely personal and it expresses how people want to be seen by others.
"And I'd even say that the future will be characterised by personalising options even further, as in the case of the Arona, which is available in 68 different colour combinations."
