White is the Leading Automotive Colour in India

Silver, Black in Race for World's Most Popular Car Colour

2010 DuPont Global Automotive Colour Popularity Report

Silver and black are in tight competition for the title of "world's most popular car colour," according to the 58lh Global Automotive Colour Popularity Report released by DuPont, which includes automotive colour popularity information and regional trends from 11 leading automotive regions of the world. Each year, the DuPont report reflects data from established and emerging growth markets in the automotive industry; and the 2010 survey, for the first time, includes trends from South Africa. DuPont's study is the original and most comprehensive report on global automotive colour popularity and remains the first of its kind.

Top Ten Global Vehicle Colours 1. Silver - 26 per cent 2. Black/Black Effect - 24 per cent 3. White/White Pearl and Grey - 16 per cent each (tie) 4. Red - 6 per cent 5. Blue - 5 per cent 6. Brown/Beige - 3 per cent 7. Green - 2 per cent 8. Yellow/Gold - 1 per cent 9. Others - 1 per cent

 
Only two percentage points separate silver from black as the leading vehicle colour globally, and black's popularity in key automotive markets outside North America is substantial. White and grey are tied for third place, with grey's popularity increasing three percentage points from the previous year's survey. Red, the only non-neutral colour in the top five, is increasing in popularity, taking the fifth spot on the global colour popularity rankings.

"Our annual global colour analysis allows DuPont to share insights into global colour trends with automakers as they're planning future vehicle designs," said Nancy Lockhart, DuPont Colour- Marketing Manager. "The demand for fresh, high-quality information is more relevant today than ever before, as the industry continues to see increased consumer demand for innovative vehicle design and styling."

Just three years ago, silver led all regions in colour popularity. With the shift towards more globalization in the automotive industry, regional preferences are influencing the global trend. With trends of silver, black and white - all neutrals - vying for the top three spots among most regions, grey has increased in popularity and is gaining in interest among consumers in many regions. Both silver and black/black-effect saw a 1 per cent gain in global popularity in the 2010 report, with white remaining flat compared to 2009. Grey increased in popularity by three percentage points. While regional preferences remain for red and blue, both have fallen three percentage points this year. The company analysts continue to see a trend toward brown and beige increasing in popularity as well.

Differentiated Regional Markets

In North America, 'white/white pearl' retained its lead for the fourth year in a row, with 21 per cent popularity share. DuPont experts say, this largely reflects the preferences of the fleet and light truck and sport utility vehicle (SUV) markets in North America. Black/black effect beat silver by one percentage point, for the No. 2 spot, with 18 per cent popularity. Grey saw a 2 per cent increase over last year, and now has a stronghold, in fourth place for the region. Rounding out the top five is red with 11 per cent popularity.

Black/black effect lead the compact/sport and luxury/luxury SUV categories in North America, while white/white pearl lead the truck/SUV category. Not surprising, silver leads by just one percentage point over black/black effect for the intermediate/crossover utility vehicle (CUV) segment in the North American market.

European trends this year show 'black/black effect' leading overall, across nearly all vehicle categories, with 24 per cent. Grey is five percentage points behind with 19 per cent, and silver has fallen to 17 per cent popularity in Europe.

The exception of black/black effect's lead in Europe is within the intermediate/multi-purpose vehicle segment, which saw grey in the lead by a slight margin. Grey is in the No. 2 spot in the region overall and within all categories except truck/ SUV, where white leads by four percentage points.

"Even though neutrals lead the colour popularity for the European region, we're still seeing consumer willingness and preference to showcase a chromatic hue as a form of personal expression," said Elke Dirks, DuPont Colour Designer for Europe. "The volume of blue hues for vehicles has been constantly decreasing over the years, but it is still the No. 1 chroma colour for all vehicle segments in Europe and will have increasing potential for the future."

In Mexico, there was no change among the top three colours since 2009, but 'black/black effect' increased four percentage points to tie with white (22 per cent) in the market, while silver remained in third place (18 per cent). Grey and red finish the top five colours of choice for the region, with 11 per cent popularity each. Also, brown/ beige saw a significant increase in the region, representing 5 per cent of the Mexican market.

In South America, 'silver' reigns (33 per cent) the market, being 10 percentage points ahead of black in the region. White and grey tie for a distant third, each with just 13 per cent of the region's popularity, while red (9 per cent) completes the top five.

Specific to Brazil, 'silver' leads the country with 34 per cent popularity, garnering the largest percentage in popularity of any of the regions/countries reviewed in the report. Black is 10 per cent behind at 24 percent, and white stands in the third spot with 13 per cent.

In the Asia/Pacific region, 'light neutrals' lead in popularity, while black/black effects are popular for luxury models in the region. "The concept of Think Blue' has developed industry wide, as OEMs strive for green vehicles and concept designs," said Emily Hung, DuPont Colour Designer for the Asia-Pacific region. "Light blue metallic colours are widely selected for environmentally responsible concept vehicles by many auto manufacturers in the region."

China finds 'silver' in the lead in this year's report, with 33 per cent share in popularity. Meanwhile, black is back, increasing 8 percentage points over last year to garner a close second place spot in the region with 31 per cent share. Grey holds the No. 3 position with 18 per cent, with white (9 per cent) and red (4 per cent) in fourth and fifth places, respectively.

Japan maintained ‘white/white pearl’ as its top colour choice for vehicles, continuing at 28 per cent of total market share. In the region, white pearl is often preferred for the small/compact vehicle segment. Silver held its second place rank with 24 per cent and black was just behind with 22 per cent of the market. Blue increased in popularity in the region by two percentage points, with an overall 10 per cent popularity share for fourth place. Light purple metallic is also new for the region, and is becoming a trendy option for small/compact and intermediate vehicle segments.

'White' is the most popular car colour in India

In India, 'White' is the leading colour choice for vehicles, with 29 per cent share in the market. Silver is just five-percentage points back, at 24 per cent. However, in a first among the regions surveyed, brown/beige (11 per cent) is in third place for the Indian market. Grey and black follow at 9 and 8 per cent, respectively. Black/black effect (8 per cent) is lowest in the ranks in India among all of the regions, with a fifth place finish.

South Korea's affinity for 'silver' (33 per cent) for intermediate vehicles and black/black effect (26 per cent) for luxury vehicles continued this year, ranking one and two, but white (18 per cent) and grey (14 per cent) continue to gain in popularity over the 2009 report.

 
South Africa and Russia - Growth Markets Important for Colour Choice

White was overwhelmingly the most popular vehicle colour choice in South Africa, at 35 per cent, which is the highest percentage of any region covered in the report. Silver (24 per cent) takes second and black/black effect combine for 14 per cent. Another growth region, Russia, maintained 'black/black effect' (21 per cent) as its most popular hue, with silver and grey nearly tied for second place in the region. White vehicles in Russia account for just 16 per cent of the market. Also of interest, the preference for green vehicles in Russia is 11 per cent, the colour's only rank within the top five in this year's report.

DuPont Trend Show "Protection of Colour" Represents the Protective Element of Automobiles

DuPont annually develops a colour trend show to highlight the global collaboration of new styling trends and technologies, while presenting colourful inspiration for automotive designers worldwide. This year's theme is Protection of Colour, which showcases four distinctive themes and is being shared with DuPont automotive industry customers worldwide.

Protective Spirit: This group of colours showcases those that are most suited for luxury brands and SUVs. Dark and rich, these colours evoke high-class appeal. DuPont colours highlighted in this grouping include Treasure Chest, a copper brown with intense sparkle; Soul Mate, a deep blue pearl; and Beauty Care, a burgundy with a strong bluish hue.

Protective Couture: Trendy colours inspired by fashion, animation and specialized products are showcased in this collection. These colours are uniquely suited for a cross-generational audience. Intense chroma and pale muted hues showcase the breadth of this group. Parachute, a pale solid pink; Cloud Cover, a pearl grey tricoat; and Modem Macintosh, a brownish purple are included in this group, among others.

Protective Ambition: This collection represents colours that are most influenced by nature and the trend toward more ecologically friendly vehicles. Two types of colours resonate in this group, including nature-like colours for large trucks and adventurous appeal, such as Turtle Shell, an olive green pearl, as well as more serious colours that are technically savvy, including Cocoon Beige, a soft beige, and Patroness, a soft medium grey.

Protective Vision: High chroma colours are key to this collection, as they are best suited for consumers that want their vehicles to be seen on the road. Antitoxin is a solid bright lime green; Stinger Yellow is a bright shade of yellow with a gold sparkle; and Guardian Angel is a bright white tricoat. Sports cars, brand image vehicles, new model introductions and commercial fleet vehicles are prime candidates for this colour group.

The trend show is styled for global review with customers worldwide. It consists of solid colours, metallics, tricoats, and tintcoat finishes designed for various vehicle types. Although there is a continuing emphasis on global vehicles, there are cultural and regional preferences that will continue to distinguish colour popularity throughout the world.

DuPont supports the global automotive and transportation industries with a vast array of innovations that reduce dependence on fossil fuels, reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel efficiency. This includes paints and coatings for new cars and aftermarket applications such as collision repair, elastomers for hoses, belts and other parts; engineering plastics for moulded components; electronics products for microcircuits and flexible and printed circuits; and a variety of polyester films. The company is working actively to introduce sustainable, bio-based materials into fabrics and engineering polymers and fuels.