Grey car popularity; a self fulfilling prophecy?
Discussion
I've been spending some time on various manufacturer configurators, as you do. The biggest thing that strikes me is the complete lack of colour choice on new cars today, take for example Volvo - they boast about the XC60 being available in 4 colours. Those 4 colours? Black, white, silver, and "Thunder Grey". The V90? Available in 7 colours, of which 6 are various shades of monotone, with one "blue" that's so washed out and conservative, it may as well be grey too.
According to the internet, in 2022, 25.7% of all new cars sold were grey, 20.1% were black, 16.7% were white, 6.1% were silver. That's 68.6% of new cars sold in monotone shades, almost 7/10 cars. Another 16% were blue, usually a token offering by manufacturers to offer something that isn't monotone, but that leaves just 15.5% of cars sold last year being painted something other than either blue, or some shade of grey.
Now I realise that manufacturers only really want to provide colour options that they think will sell, but surely we're at a point now whereby the popularity of monotone grey shades has become a self-fulfilling prophecy, whereby these shades continue to be the most common colours because people can't buy anything else; the available colour palette is dictated to us by the manufacturer.
It's a chicken/egg scenario, but it's just become so depressing. It's got to a point now where I'd actively seek out a brown car, or green, purely so that it wasn't just yet another grey box on the roads. I've even debated the potential for a local bodyshop to respray a car, because I dislike the sea of greyness so much. Grey cars with black interiors... surely those with homes decorated in such a manner are in the minority, why do cars have to be the same...
Rant over..
According to the internet, in 2022, 25.7% of all new cars sold were grey, 20.1% were black, 16.7% were white, 6.1% were silver. That's 68.6% of new cars sold in monotone shades, almost 7/10 cars. Another 16% were blue, usually a token offering by manufacturers to offer something that isn't monotone, but that leaves just 15.5% of cars sold last year being painted something other than either blue, or some shade of grey.
Now I realise that manufacturers only really want to provide colour options that they think will sell, but surely we're at a point now whereby the popularity of monotone grey shades has become a self-fulfilling prophecy, whereby these shades continue to be the most common colours because people can't buy anything else; the available colour palette is dictated to us by the manufacturer.
It's a chicken/egg scenario, but it's just become so depressing. It's got to a point now where I'd actively seek out a brown car, or green, purely so that it wasn't just yet another grey box on the roads. I've even debated the potential for a local bodyshop to respray a car, because I dislike the sea of greyness so much. Grey cars with black interiors... surely those with homes decorated in such a manner are in the minority, why do cars have to be the same...
Rant over..
I had a choice of Grey with black roof, Lighter grey with black roof, and white with my last car purchase. That was all of my colour options. It does have a bit of gold trim, which is nice, but I agree, if I had a vivid colour option I would pick it.
I've always tried to stay away from black cars too, but I've ended up owning 3 over the past 10 years as they've been the best specced for the money.
I do wonder how many people have had all the primary colours in car paints, or how many people have ticked off all the colours of the rainbow.
I've always tried to stay away from black cars too, but I've ended up owning 3 over the past 10 years as they've been the best specced for the money.
I do wonder how many people have had all the primary colours in car paints, or how many people have ticked off all the colours of the rainbow.
I definitely share your preference for a good colour, sadly buying used it's not always possible especially when seeking out a car that's already rare.
However I do think buyers head for boring non-colours even when given more interesting options. McLaren is a really good example of a company that offers a fantastic range of colours; the full spectrum of colours and really exciting shades and finishes. And you'd think that if any buyers would have the courage to go for a proper colour, supercar buyers would. And yet, of the 247 McLarens on AT, the top three colours are White, Grey and Black in that order, between them accounting for almost half the cars on the market.
So for companies which don't have capacity to offer such a wide range of shades, it does make sense that they would base their offering on White, Grey and Black, and then throw in perhaps one or two actual colours alongside, just based on the take-up numbers.
However I do think buyers head for boring non-colours even when given more interesting options. McLaren is a really good example of a company that offers a fantastic range of colours; the full spectrum of colours and really exciting shades and finishes. And you'd think that if any buyers would have the courage to go for a proper colour, supercar buyers would. And yet, of the 247 McLarens on AT, the top three colours are White, Grey and Black in that order, between them accounting for almost half the cars on the market.
So for companies which don't have capacity to offer such a wide range of shades, it does make sense that they would base their offering on White, Grey and Black, and then throw in perhaps one or two actual colours alongside, just based on the take-up numbers.
Timely thread.
I was playing “EyeSpy” with the kids in the car on Saturday but we do colours, because I’m a simple man… however it was something grey. I must have said “That car?” about 20 times in a residential street no more than half a mile long and thought to myself “What a boring choice” before remembering my car is grey… the irony…
I was playing “EyeSpy” with the kids in the car on Saturday but we do colours, because I’m a simple man… however it was something grey. I must have said “That car?” about 20 times in a residential street no more than half a mile long and thought to myself “What a boring choice” before remembering my car is grey… the irony…
I applaud Fiat for ditching primer grey as an available colour, but unfortunately I don’t want a Fiat.
My BMW 440i is Snapper Rocks blue, my Tesla Model 3 is Multi-Coat Red, and my TT v6 is Moro Blue.
I always try to pick a bright colour, but had literally zero choice with the wife’s Passat GTE estate, they were all bloody grey.
My BMW 440i is Snapper Rocks blue, my Tesla Model 3 is Multi-Coat Red, and my TT v6 is Moro Blue.
I always try to pick a bright colour, but had literally zero choice with the wife’s Passat GTE estate, they were all bloody grey.
Edited by paradigital on Tuesday 11th July 18:29
My last 6 cars have been speed yellow, guards red, white, speed yellow, Carmine red & Miami blue so you can see I like a bright colour (the brighter the better for me!)
Never had a silver car but my wife’s last 4 cars have been white, grey (which was actually nice - Octavia VRS), white & currently a red metallic.
I have no problem with white if it’s the right shade - BMWs really suit white rather than black but that’s my personal choice
Never had a silver car but my wife’s last 4 cars have been white, grey (which was actually nice - Octavia VRS), white & currently a red metallic.
I have no problem with white if it’s the right shade - BMWs really suit white rather than black but that’s my personal choice
My 7 year old likes to play snooker whilst in the car, so red, yellow, green…you get the idea.
Red’s no problem, as of course is black and blue but the others can be a b
h.
I can’t really talk mind, my cars are blue and grey. However, I do love a brighter coloured car and if / when I can get something a little more fun for the summer I.e. Boxster or Elise, it will, ideally, be yellow. I’m also drawn to an alien green Clio RS200 and the similarly hued Octavia VRS.
Red’s no problem, as of course is black and blue but the others can be a b
h.I can’t really talk mind, my cars are blue and grey. However, I do love a brighter coloured car and if / when I can get something a little more fun for the summer I.e. Boxster or Elise, it will, ideally, be yellow. I’m also drawn to an alien green Clio RS200 and the similarly hued Octavia VRS.
I am proud to say 2 of my 3 cars are Oxford Green and Ultraviolet Blue. Both from a time when people had taste and imagination. And whatever I buy next will be in a nice colour combination unless I happen to get smacked in the head with a baseball bat and wake up to decide I need a grey LR on the drive.
These days it seems everyone's in love with with primer grey cars. They are EVERYWHERE. And car manufacturers more than happy to oblige and use that "colour" when promoting their offerings.
The cars used to promote Lotus's presence at Goodwood this year? An Eletre in primer grey, an Emira in... grey.
Thanks for nothing, Audi.
These days it seems everyone's in love with with primer grey cars. They are EVERYWHERE. And car manufacturers more than happy to oblige and use that "colour" when promoting their offerings.
The cars used to promote Lotus's presence at Goodwood this year? An Eletre in primer grey, an Emira in... grey.
Thanks for nothing, Audi.
When on the hunt for our Gen 2 997 it was massivly limited especially as I wanted the S RWD model and manual gear box (rare).
Choice came down to Silver, black or more silver. Ended up going on condition and now have a Black one. I still keep thinking about getting it wrapped in Miami Blue.
Choice came down to Silver, black or more silver. Ended up going on condition and now have a Black one. I still keep thinking about getting it wrapped in Miami Blue.
I know i'll probably get laughed out the door, but our 2020Kona was "Acid Yellow" also named "Lime Green" in the US.
Could see it for a mile off. I absolutely loved it.
The tucson that replaced it this year? Like the OP it was various greys, black/white or a silver (I went with the metallic silver). But I'd have paid good money to have it that Acid Yellow!
Could see it for a mile off. I absolutely loved it.
The tucson that replaced it this year? Like the OP it was various greys, black/white or a silver (I went with the metallic silver). But I'd have paid good money to have it that Acid Yellow!
Edited by Bluemondy on Tuesday 11th July 20:53
Muddle238 said:
I've been spending some time on various manufacturer configurators, as you do. The biggest thing that strikes me is the complete lack of colour choice on new cars today, take for example Volvo - they boast about the XC60 being available in 4 colours. Those 4 colours? Black, white, silver, and "Thunder Grey". The V90? Available in 7 colours, of which 6 are various shades of monotone, with one "blue" that's so washed out and conservative, it may as well be grey too.
There are more than 4 colours for the XC60https://www.volvocars.com/uk/build/xc60?cbv=1&...
Can select a number of colours, Black/Red/Blue/Bluey-grey/browny-greyWhite/Silver/Gold/grey.
Granted no wild/bright colours
but it’s not that type of car. Bright/loud colours are more suited to small cars or the more sportier cars/supercars etc.There is a lack of variations on colours though (apart from grey/silver) so often just one blue/red/green etc., rather then 2/3 shades of each, but little point having them as options if no-one ever opts for them….
Ultimately, if the manufacturer doesn’t has the colour you want (some will have a personalised scheme where anything goes), then have it wrapped or re-sprayed in the colour you do want.
Some manufacturers offer more. Porsche pretty much offer any colour you want for many of their cars (cost more than the standard range of course but there is variation there in std range). Audi do an “exclusive” range, BMW “Individual” range etc…
I guess there's a reason why they call it 'resale grey'. I have a (Carpathian) grey car and a (basalt) black car currently and I do like the colours when they sparkle in the sun, but yeah they are generally a bit dull.
When I was buying the black car I was very tempted by an amaethyst purple one, which looked amazing, but the thought of trying to sell it on scared me off. I have had a red car in the past. As my son says, red is the fastest colour
When I was buying the black car I was very tempted by an amaethyst purple one, which looked amazing, but the thought of trying to sell it on scared me off. I have had a red car in the past. As my son says, red is the fastest colour
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