Popular Car Colors
PPG industry just did a survey on the most popular car colors for 2005, and met with consultors to discuss probably color hits for 2008-2009 models. At present, silver is the most popular color "due to its appeal among designers to highlight the form and shape of a vehicle" says Lorene Boettcher of PPG. Among other top colors were white in second place, gold and copper, followed by red and blue. PPG's color marketing team has developed 130 new colors to present to designers which include four major color trends. Blue will be popular with the introduction of liquid metal colors and lilac, green with be reintroduced with added sparkle and possibly in blue-green shades, yellow and brown will grow richer and shimmer, and darker reds like cranberry and wine will be introduced. My questions are: why do people prefer certain colors? Does it have to do with a certain trend or what's "in"? And do people choose cars based more on appearance or performance? What will this sales technique do for the automobile market?
6 comments:
I believe that people choose colors based on "whats in" the cars from the 50's had different pain jobs than todays cars. I'd also say that performance and apperance go hand in hand. usually high performance vehicles come with the designs and colors that are appealing to the consumer. it goes the other way as well. if you are going to buy a new sleek and shiny car with all the bells and whistles the assumption is that it has higher performance than the other cars in its class.
I don't think that the color really has a factor in sales of any vehicle. In almost every type of car, isn't there a variety of colors to choose from. This would make me to believe that color may not have anything to do with the sale, but certainly appearance does. I think appearance applies to two different groups of people. First off, I think that in general, a wealthy person is more likely to pick a car based on appearance than a non wealthy adult. Obviouisly, someone who does not have "all the money in the world" to spend is mainly looking for the best deal and overall car. Also, I think that perhaps teens and young adults often pick a car based on appearance simply because they want to be "in." Anyways, I think that color has an extremely insignificant effect on sales of car.
I agree with the statement that people choose a color based on "whats in," but to add on to that, I feel people choose colors that will stand out or appeal to others more. Silver, white, blue, red, are colors that will be noticed when going down the street. Our society thrives on "proving to others that we own great materials" and with cars, this is a chance to put impressions on people about yourself. I know I am very quick to look at a bright red mustang riding next to me on the highway when I am driving.
I agree that people choose colors based on "whats in", the colors that are popular for cars today weren't the ones that were popular or available a century ago. But I do agree that color does not matter as much to those who are prices sensitive. People with less money tend to take whatever is available for what they can afford. People who can spend however they desire are more choosey and can have cars designed for them with they colors they want.
I think that adding new colors is a good marketing technique. People, though little do we sometimes realize it, can be subconsciously persauded by colors and shades of colors. I think the color red subconsciously makes us hungry, etc. Also referring back to the "what's in" comment, I agree. If a color is a new one in the car industry, the big spenders are going to want to have one of the first cars colored, say, "macaroni and cheese" in town. And some people may think, why buy a boring white car when you can buy shiny liquid lilac?
I think that your car, in some cases, is a representation of your personality. In other cases it is mearly a functionality issue. For me, I've always prefered white because I've lived on a dusty farm my entire life. But now that work is just around the horizon and possibly a nice sports car, I'm really interested in a true red color or a dark red becuase it's flashy and stands out if you've got the right car. It's kind of like a sexy red dress on an already gorgeous babe, you know the red is just hugging the curves and it adds an edge to the individual.
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