Drab Colors

Here is AARP's take on why silver, white and black are the dominant car colors.

"Bland colors usually have better resale value...It feeds on itself: That's what people have learned to buy; therefore, that's what dealers stock, so that's what's mostly available to buy.

Exceptions are from people who lease...Up to 33 percent of all new-car buyers do, according to researcher Edmunds.com. They're more likely to chance a zippy color because they can be rid of it in two or three years when the lease expires...But otherwise, we go back to the monochromatic palette....Many people think “modern, angular car designs look better in silver and white.

Societal trends have a role, too. Silver, gray and black are associated with technology and modernity. Think about the silver case of laptop computers, the black shell of cellphones, the gray housing of voice-activated home controls, the gleaming black and white of fancy coffeemakers.

People also believe that gray and white don't look dirty as easily as more colorful surfaces. Black is the gray-scale contrarian, looking filthy at the first speck of dust.

But still, can you find your car, SUV or pickup easily after a crowded football game?

 

What do you think of these color names that Dodge considered, but ultimately rejected? Some are pretty lame.

Statutory Grape
Catch Me Copper
Gang Green
Well Red
Cost Of Living Rose
Fisher Body Rust
Hi-Ho Silver
Frank Lloyd White
Unforseeable Fuicha
Toe-Tag
Michigan Salt
Blackeye
Sylvester
Fortuno's Gold
It's Not Green
My Boy Blue
Shake N Bake
Blood Shot
Lemon Head
Garbage Can
Wicked Witch
Mustard Stain
My Boy Blue