Color trend update: Blue gaining on White
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Each year, DuPont does a study on color trends in the automotive industry. As the leader in supplying finishes for both the new and aftermarket auto realms, this is the kind of information that the company needs to know. Thankfully, DuPont's researchers always share their findings with the rest of us, and last year it was reported that white had taken over from silver as the color in which to be seen. This year, the pigment company decided to shake things up with a mid-year check on the multi-hued situation around the world, and it seems that blue, which is also the new green, is making a bit of a run at adding some pizazz that's been missing from simple achromatic white. Interestingly, the masses seem to be reacting just a little bit to the economic downturn that this country has been facing, choosing simple solids instead of more flashy hues. Perhaps those downers are just lacking in self-worth.
Gallery: Pixar CARS Photochops
[Source: DuPont]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tim 10:56AM (6/13/2008)
Blue is and always will be my choice in car color. The only reason my current car is red is because they didn't offer it in blue. I guess they will be now...
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dea911 11:00AM (6/13/2008)
really? what kind of car is that?
Wally 11:38AM (6/13/2008)
it does?
coolremo 3:30PM (6/13/2008)
hehe. this reminds me of the simpsons episode where homer goes: "That guy impressed me and I am not easily impressed. Wow! A blue car!"
Dude 10:21AM (6/13/2008)
Step 1. Announcing that Blue is the new White
Step 2.
Step 3. Profit
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Flashpoint 11:40AM (6/13/2008)
I love silver w/ red tail lamps.
my first car was a 2002 Expedition in that color.
my second was a Chrysler 300 and now I have an S550.
Silver holds down scratches very well. Its very hard to see minor scratches and dings.
My friend got his Blue 300c the same time I got my silver one and his looks SCRATCHED AND TORN UP over the same mileage.
The S550 has mercedes new Nanopaint material where they use nanoparticles to impregnate the pain and thereby reduce even fine scratches to a minimum.
I tried rbbing my keys on the car and it didn't scratch!
http://www.300cforums.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=17422
Duders 1:44PM (6/13/2008)
"The S550 has mercedes new Nanopaint material where they use nanoparticles to impregnate the pain and thereby reduce even fine scratches to a minimum.
I tried rbbing my keys on the car and it didn't scratch!"
......
itguy08 10:22AM (6/13/2008)
I thought silver/gray was the perennial favorite color?
Anyway I'm partial to the dark colors myself.
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Pacman 10:24AM (6/13/2008)
My Mom had a dark blue caravan with woodgrain stickers on it - bad blue.
The VW blue on the R32 - Good Blue!
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B 11:03AM (6/13/2008)
you win
DCragtop 10:34AM (6/13/2008)
I thought chrome was the new white?
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broosewee 10:38AM (6/13/2008)
That's stickin' it to the man!
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Tim 11:06AM (6/13/2008)
'99 Grand Prix. Blue was offered the following year. Just my luck. Looks great in red though...
Seminole 11:10AM (6/13/2008)
"Interestingly, the masses seem to be reacting just a little bit to the economic downturn that this country has been facing, choosing simple solids instead of more flashy hues. Perhaps those downers are just lacking in self-worth. "
Probably has more to do with some manufacturers charging for metallic paint. Ever wonder why so many 3-series are White, Black, or Red. Those are the only colors there isn't a extra charge on. People might just want to save a extra couple hundred dollars and go for their second or third color choice.
I've only owned two cars, and both have been silver. I like light cars so my next one will probably be white or silver as well. I'd go black, but it shows dirt easily and only looks good when it is really clean.
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Itguy08 1:02PM (6/13/2008)
"Probably has more to do with some manufacturers charging for metallic paint. Ever wonder why so many 3-series are White, Black, or Red. Those are the only colors there isn't a extra charge on. People might just want to save a extra couple hundred dollars and go for their second or third color choice."
I remember that when I was car shopping in '03. One of many reasons I got a G35 instead of a 330.
I've not seen a "color premium" on a car since the 80's. The only one I can remember was for Mystic and Mystichrome on the Mustangs....
kazoomaloo 11:18AM (6/13/2008)
Nerds would say the white isn't "achromatic" as you've described it, but rather polychromatic or hyperchromatic or something as it is a combination of all colors. Black is more appropriately described as achromatic since it doesn't reflect any light (and thus produce color)...
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DCragtop 11:24AM (6/13/2008)
Finally, some common sense added to this whole automobile color wheel. Thanks Boo!
Chris 11:29AM (6/13/2008)
Well my new Miata is ICY BLUE, then again my girlfriend claims it was "baby blanket blue", but only if pronounced with a lisp...
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strdust 11:31AM (6/13/2008)
Why would you need a survey to get this kind of information. Around san diego, now you starting to see a lot of tacoma speedway blue, and i do mean a lot. Of course what is also funny is all the people who drive the speedway blue tacoma tend to wave to each other when they see each other on the street.
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JerrySS 11:49AM (6/13/2008)
Forget the color - I like the usage of the "You're the best Around" lyrics from the Karate Kid!
I'm the only one who noticed - Looks like I am the BEST AROUND!
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