White/white
pearl has emerged as the fastest growing color to tie with silver as
the world’s leading automotive color choices, according to the 2011
DuPont Automotive Color Popularity Report, released yesterday.
A substantial increase in the popularity of
white/white pearl globally in 2011 has enabled it to surpass
longstanding rivals black and gray, joining silver at the top of the
world color ranks in this year’s report. The DuPont report, in its 59th
year, is the longest running and largest of its kind in the industry.
It includes automotive color popularity rankings and regional trends
from 11 leading automotive regions of the world.
In 2010, white/white pearl was tied for third with
gray in the world color ranks with just 16% share, but its ongoing
popularity in North America, combined with a surge in popularity in
Europe, China, Korea, South America and South Africa, has helped to
increase its position in 2011 to 22% globally. Black and gray dropped
to third and fourth, respectively, in this year’s report with red and
blue strengthening and holding positions in fifth and sixth place.
The top global vehicle colors in DuPont’s report are as follows:
1. White/White Pearl and Silver – tie, 22%
3. Black/Black Effect – 20%
4. Gray – 13%
5. Red – 7%
6. Blue – 6%
7. Brown/Beige – 5%
8. Green – 2%
9. Yellow/Gold – 1%
10. Others – 2%
3. Black/Black Effect – 20%
4. Gray – 13%
5. Red – 7%
6. Blue – 6%
7. Brown/Beige – 5%
8. Green – 2%
9. Yellow/Gold – 1%
10. Others – 2%
“While
white/white pearl has historically been a popular color for vehicles,
we’ve seen a bigger shift in its popularity this year than DuPont
expected,” said Nancy Lockhart, DuPont color marketing manager.
Silver and black have long been recognized in the
top three for color popularity. However, in the past few years,
white/white pearl has been steadily growing in popularity outside of
North America. In 2011, it jumped by more than four percentage points,
Lockhart said.
“There has been increased consumer acceptance for
white, and our OEM customers are meeting consumer demand for the clean
look it brings to vehicle design,” she said. “Classic white and
pearlescent white effects are inspiring luxury design.”
The report also includes details about automotive color popularity rankings and global regional trends, such as:
- North America: white/white pearl continues its lead, followed by black and silver.
- Europe: luxury segment continues to be dominated by black.
- Silver tops in China, South Korea; Japan led by white/white pearl.
- South America, Brazil: silver tops vehicle color choice.
- White/White pearl tops in South Africa; Russia prefers black.
DuPont 2011 Trend Show “Sense of Color” Showcases Emotions and Dynamics of Color
In addition to its 59th Global
Automotive Color Popularity Report, DuPont develops an annual color
trend show to share with the world’s leading automotive manufacturers as
they seek to develop color palettes for future vehicles. This year’s
trend show, Sense of Color, showcases the emotions and dynamics of
color. The senses play an important role in understanding if a color is
loud or quiet, powerful or somber, exotic or sophisticated. DuPont
Performance Coatings demonstrates the influences of colors by how
tasteful, touching reminiscent or calming a color will react with
consumer preferences and moods. The 2011 DuPont trend show is segmented
into four groups: “Déjà vu,” “Sound of Silence,” “Touch of Blue” and
“Matter of Taste.”
View the news release for complete details.
