Does car color affect the interior temperature of the vehicle?
Logic would dictate that a black car would getter hotter than a white one; however, tests have proven that it isn’t so. Although we’ve all been taught that dark colors absorb more heat than light colors, with today’s superior automotive paint finishes and improved insulating materials used in manufacturing, the interior temperature of an automobile apparently is not affected by the color of the car. It’s probably more of a psychological thing; we see a black car and we think hot car. So much for logic!
Popular Car Colors
What is the most popular car color? A recent DuPont Automotive report indicates that drivers of different classes of vehicles seem to support one car color over another.
Drivers of SUVs and trucks prefer:
1. White/White Pearl
2. Black
3. Silver
4. Red
5. Gray
Sport and compact car owners seem to prefer these colors:
1. Silver
2. Black
3. Red
4. Gray
5. White
Those driving full-size, midsize and crossover vehicles choose the following:
1. Silver
2. Blue
3. White/White Pearl
4. Black and
5. Red
According to the DuPont Global Automotive Color Popularity Report, after seven years, white/white pearl has replaced silver as the top car color in one key region and two countries. In North America, white/white pearl, silver and black/black are almost tied for the top picks, with white/white pearl leading very slightly. The very high-end luxury cars owners still seem to prefer silver or black as their choices.
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Importance of Color to Car Buyers
It isn’t unusual in college/university cities to find a disproportionately large number of cars painted in school colors; these are usually customized jobs. However, automotive research has indicated that color is very important to car buyers.
A study by General Motors shows that a very large percentage of automobile customers, who go to one dealership and can’t find the color they want, will leave that dealer and even switch to another car brand that manufactures the car color of their choice. In this instance, brand loyalty doesn’t seem to matter! It may seem hard to believe, but apparently some people must have a certain color car. What happened to all the emphasis on performance and gas mileage?
The Appeal of Different Colors
There has been a great deal of speculation and theories expounded as why different car colors appeal to different individuals. Here are just a few of them. Check out the color of your friends’ cars to see if they match the personality traits described below.
? Black may convey a sense of mystery and intrigue to some, while to others it is a symbol of sophistication. In some cases, it conveys a feeling of protection.
? Silver, according to Churchill Motor of the U.K, denotes a driver who is aloof and collected; however, in England, these drivers are second most likely to get speeding tickets. Drivers of black cars seem to get stopped more often there.
? Red seems to appeal to drivers who may tend to be bold and aggressive and use their car color to express their own unique individuality.
? To many, the color green could mean money or aliens. Or, the driver of a green car just wants to stand out!
? Dark blue is a color that conveys dependability and confidence. Those who drive a dark blue car also feel they’re driving a car that has class (think blue blood).
? White indicates a conservative nature and is a color suggestive of innocence and purity. This description might be a hard one to match with most drivers of white cars!
So why does car color matter? The answer, from a strictly performance and comfort level, is that it doesn’t. It’s all mind over matter and it’s a personal choice. Drive whatever color car makes you happy!