Walking through a parking lot today, I saw these two lemon and lime Kia Souls parked next to each other and got to thinking about how rare it is to see brightly colored cars like these around town, much less parked right next to one another.
Thanks to a study by iSeeCars.com, we can see this is no anomaly. The most popular car color in every state is either black or white.
As someone who currently drives a black car, I acknowledge that I am only part of this phenomenon, though given a large sum of cash to order exactly what I want vs haggling over something already on the lot, I might just be driving a bright green Mojito! Jeep JLU Wrangler. One can dream right?
Speaking of Mojito! If you want a bright green Wrangler, you better jump on the first one you find as the color has now been officially discontinued after a year of rumors, to be replaced by Sarge green.
As I read through the numbers provided in the research by iSeeCars.com, I wonder how much of this is perpetuated by carmakers, and not necessarily indicative of true shopper desires.
Take a look at the current color offerings for the new 2020 Chevy Silverado:
Aside from Red Hot and Cajun Red, all appear to be on the greyscale continuum. Even Northsky Blue Metallic is on the more neutral palette.
What’s worse, take a look at the offerings on the 2020 Mazda CX-9, the brand’s premium 3-row crossover
Again, only 5 colors to choose from on their top trim and just Soul Red Crystal Metallic to break up the shades of grey. $48,000 and I can’t even get a real COLOR, they don’t even offer blue (nationally the second most common color after red).
There are still some automakers and vehicles bold enough for a splash of color. Bikini, Hellayella, Punk’n, and Ocean Blue Metallic help keep the JLU Wrangler vibrant.
The Chevy Camaro comes in a very bold Shock neon/safety green or an orange named Crush.
These however are vehicles with narrower appeals.
The message to consumers, “if you wish to express yourself with color, you will need to sacrifice some civility for a Wrangler or practicality with a sports car.”
Yes, there is also the Kia Soul that started this whole thought process, but that is an entry level car, by no means a premium offering like the CX-9 referenced earlier. My business mind tells me that automakers are pulling back on these brighter colors because they just aren’t selling... or is it that dealers are fearful to order based on national studies like this? In the case of my dearly departed Mojito! green Jeep, I hardly ever saw any at my local dealer or anywhere near me on car sales sites.
Is this all a self-fulfilling prophecy by automakers and dealers afraid to take risks? Even quirky lifestyle cars like the Mini Cooper have lost their bright personality in favor of the dull tones so prevalent across the current automotive landscape.
As someone with a very bright wardrobe, and in the time of neon coming back into style, I would love to have a car that matches my personal style. Give me options over and above 50 shades of grey, please!
What color car do you drive?
What color would you pick out if you could buy any car right now?
-Cory
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