50 Shades Of Boring Dull Colours

[MantaRay]

Is there a shortage of colour pigments in the motor industry? The reason I ask is that most new cars are only typically available in one colour or white, silver, grey, titanium, black, etc. i.e. shades rather than colours?

[Zacs-Master]

It's been tha case for at least 15 years.

[bhg481]

I don't think that's true. I've seen lots of different colour cars around as well as the ones you mention - bright red, blue, yellow etc. The colours you quote are the favourites, according to the manufacturers and, of course, the colours you see around have been chosen by the people who buy new cars.

[pixie373]

I've thought that for a long time. Not many "female" colours either.

[Zacs-Master]

The truth of the matter is that boring dull colours lend an air of solidity and status to a vehicle. They also achieve higher resale values.

[bhg481]

Zacs' final sentence sums it up. I've seen cars driving around in a colour that I think should give them a reduced insurance premium, on the grounds that they would be virtually theft-proof in that colour.
The "boring" colours won't put many people off buying them second-hand, many colours will.

[pixie373]

It puts lots of us off- it's just there's often little choice.

[Zacs-Master]

Mini, Fiat (500), Vauxhall (Adam) and Citroen all have bright, customisable colour ranges.

[Retrochic]

pixie - "It puts lots of us off" are you saying that you wouldn't buy a car you really really wanted because you couldn't get it in the colour you want?

[Retrochic]

bhg an interesting point about insurance. If there were two identical makes of car -one silver the other dayglo green I would assume the thief would go for the silver one as it would be less conspicuous.

[pixie373]

Yes. Like a lot of my friends, we aren't "into" cars. We buy them because we need them. Reselling and status are totally irrelevant. Reliable, economical and one we like the look of are the priorities. And yes, stereotypical as it sounds, I know many, many people who don't go to see a car because they don't like the colour.

[EDDIE51]

When someone orders a car they choose the colour,neutral colours are the most popular so that is what gets made.

[Zacs-Master]

And I explained why they're the most popular.

[Retrochic]

pixie in that case buy new and then you can choose whatever colour you want within reason, there are choices but if you are buying second hand then you are buying other people choices.

[pixie373]

No, the prices are ridiculous for new cars .

[EDDIE51]

I have never worried about the colour of a car, price and condition is all I care about. But most new cars are ordered by companies for large fleets and they want cars that blend in with the others. These then get sold on the 2nd hand market.

[pixie373]

Yes. It's just a shame. When someone realises women buy cars too, they'll be very rich.

[bhg481]

I agree with Eddie but, having said that, I might draw the line at buying a "girlie-pink" car.

[Zacs-Master]

Pixie, all the car manufacturers I mentioned are well aware of the allure of female biased colours.

[ummmm]

I had a yellow car. It was great for spotting it in carparks.

[pixie373]

Maybe so. I see very few around, though. Everyone is different, cars should be too.