For many years, white has been the most popular colour choice for cars but a new study of sales, over the last year, shows a change – favouring black, over white. For the first time in four years, white has been knocked off the top of the list and replaced with its opposite, but is there a reason behind the switch?
In the figures
According to the statistics, there were 515,970 new black cars registered last year followed by 500,714 grey cars and 482,099 white cars. The figures come from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders who released a table of the ten most popular car colours this week.
- 1. Black
- 2. Grey
- 3. White
- 4. Blue
- 5. Silver
- 6. Red
- 7. Green
- 8. Orange
- 9. Bronze
- 10. Yellow
According to colour psychologists, one of the most captivating trends is the rise of the colour grey. With all the uncertainty and insecurity, we are facing; such as Brexit and last year’s US Elections, grey is an unconscious move towards something safe.
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Changing trends
In fact, some areas of the country see grey being the most popular colour. In the East Midlands, grey is the most popular and a primary colour has not made the top three in seven years. Monochrome cars (black, grey and white) now account for 60% of all vehicles sold and silver covers a further 10%.
White remains top of the list for many areas of the country including northern England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, densely populated areas such as the south of England are showing a preference to black, this being shown in the overall figures.
But for colour fans, there are plenty to choose from. Green, yellow and orange now have a market share of 2.3%, and bronze has re-entered the roster replacing dull brown. The fastest increasing colour is gold which has increased by 19.1% in the last twelve months – although there are still only 1 in 500 cars requested in this shade.
There are other more practical reasons as to why black is a favoured colour for new cars. For example, company fleets tend to lean towards black, with cab companies topping the list. With sales to private customers dipping by nearly 7% in 2017, there’s a significant influence from the commercial buyer in these figures.
Most popular car
While the number of new vehicles is dropping compared to previous years, the models that are most popular remain consistent. The Ford Fiesta still tops the list for the 9th successive year with over 94,500 new registrations. New models launched in the year also offer an excellent choice for drivers.
Second place went to the VW Golf with over 74,600 registrations, a rise from 4th place in 2016. This choice shows that concerns over the diesel emissions scandal haven’t impacted people’s decision to buy a VW car.
The Ford Focus is in third place, retaining its position from the previous year with nearly 70,000 new models sold in 2017. Despite a higher than average price for the vehicle, compared to similar models from other manufacturers, it remains in a strong position.
The fourth was the Nissan Qashqai, a rise of one place from the previous year. The UK built car had just over 64,000 new vehicles registered last year. It moved ahead of the Vauxhall Corsa which fell from 2nd to 5th place in 2017, a drop of some 25,000 sales on the previous year.
Cost of colour
Interestingly, of the three most popular models, the Ford Fiesta and Focus were sold mostly in blue over any other colour. While the VW Golf was most popular in grey. Costs for different types of paint also vary, with Indium Grey Metallic on the Golf costing an extra £575 while Blue Wave on the Fiesta cost an extra £745. So, there may be an additional charge for the colour you want, and this might factor into why people are opting for free primary shades.
Would you pay extra to have a certain colour of car? Is colour an important criteria when choosing a car? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
I always get the basic colour, I can see no reason to be ripped off to the tune of £500 – £800, a can of automotive paint costs very nearly the same whether you get it in blue red green or any other colour.
my last car was black… never again, been there done that, its a sod to keep clean, and shows every mark… this time went for base colour £0 (white)… didn’t feel paying extra £650 for a colour was worth it…
I agree with you James, I don’t know why people buy black cars, the
first time may be, but to get a black replacement to me is ludicrous, especially when we get some hot weather.
Colour is important but the price has to be sensible, so if a different colour becomes more popular then the price should come down, I repeat SHOULD.
Why should the price come down if the colour becomes more popular?
The manufacturer already buys huge amounts of paint so he is unlikely to get a discount for increasing the quantity.
Never would pay a premium for a colour ….rip off!
Yes I love blue cars and our criteria when choosing the car last year was it had to be a certain shade of blue- sparkling blue from Vauxhall .
Colour matters .
Pearlescent and metallic paints have much thicker coats. I would buy a car with these over a basic colour any day. I’ve had my Astra for 10 years now and despite stone chips (touched up) the car has no rust at all unlike many basic coloured cars.
I suppose it depends how long you want to keep your car for.
I have never been able to buy a new car, so mine have all been second hand from a dealer. I have two cars, a 27yr old Peugeot 405 estate in silver, and a Nissan Almera Tino in dark blue. The 405 with thick paint has been the best, it doesnt show the dirt and the paint is thick, therefore there has been no rust in all the years I have owned it. Not even scratch marks along the side, done by a yob who was made to pay me compensation by the court, has resulted in rust. I will never have another like that.
from MR2 to Porsche and now a Fiesta..all been metallic grey and all mostly look clean even when not. only paid extra for the colour on Fiesta! all the cars just look good in the metallic greys. I dont regard the colour as safe…on a 170mph or other sportscar …its practical and smart. Only ever seen grey mx5’s too. black not so practical and silver every 2nd hand merc or company car! so dark grey is the in between choice. Just my lady driver view.
Simple metal – save money – buy car without paint – take it to spray shop – get what you want at half the price, same for sound system etc. All add-ons by main car manufacturer are overpriced, before you get sucked in look at what you can get them for seperately – you would be shocked at the difference and savings, I made a net saving of just over 6k last year on new car and actually got better kit fitted – especially wheels and sound system.