White Strengthens Lead Over Other Car Colors

White continues to gain as the world’s most popular vehicle color, a position it achieved in 2011 when it surpassed silver, according to Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.'s annual color popularity report.

The study says white adorns 35% of the world’s cars regardless of their type. The next three most-popular colors are black (18%), silver (13%) and gray (10%), followed by red (7%) and blue and beige (each 6%).

On a regional basis, red is more popular in North America (an 11% share) than anywhere else. Similar, black’s strongest market is Europe (21%). In China, white gained 19 points since last year, and gray fell 10 points.

Axalta says the next trend in car colors will be bright reds, rich blues and vibrant violets. Look for unusual shades of pale blue, green and gold on small cars. The company also predicts an upswing in earthy tones of beige, bronze, green and red.