Are Colorful Cars Going Extinct? Top Car Colors for 2024

The automotive industry has seen a significant shift in color preferences over the years, with grays of various shades now dominating the market. According to a recent data analysis by ISeeCars.com, grayscale colors such as white, black, and gray itself now hold a market share of 78.5%, compared to 60% in 2004.

Gray has experienced the most significant increase in popularity, gaining 9.7% in market share over the past 20 years. This trend has been particularly noticeable in the past year, with gray gaining 3.5% of the market share. The rise in popularity of gray may be attributed to automakers offering a wider variety of interesting shades in this color.

White remains the most popular color among consumers, with a 12.5% increase in market share since 2004, followed by black at an 8% gain. However, silver has seen a sharp decline, losing 13.5% of the market share over the same period.

On the other hand, colorful car options such as gold, purple, brown, beige, and yellow have experienced dramatic drops in popularity. Karl Brauer, iSeeCars executive analyst, noted that despite automakers offering a diverse palette of colors, non-grayscale cars have lost half of their market share in the past 20 years.

Interestingly, the sports car segment has bucked the grayscale color trend, with owners showing a preference for more bold and expressive color choices. Although grayscale colors have gained a 4.3% share in this segment since 2004, white and gray have seen significant increases in popularity, while silver has dropped by 83% and red has also lost ground.

Overall, the consumer market has shown a decreased interest in colorful cars, with white being favored for commercial use due to its durability and low maintenance costs. The report highlights the dwindling variety of car colors on the road today, indicating a shift towards more neutral and grayscale options.

The data provides a breakdown of market share comparisons for individual colors between 2023 and 2004, showcasing the changing preferences among consumers. The automotive industry continues to evolve, reflecting the current trends and shifting preferences of car buyers.