Aussies are a conservative lot, at least when it comes to choosing the colour of our cars. Recent data from online car retailer Autogenie shows a distinct trend towards neutral colours, with over 73 per cent of sales comprising cars that were white, grey, silver or black.
 
The data, compiled from over 9,000 car sales in 2013, revealed the most popular car colour in Australia is white (21 percent), followed by grey (18 pe cent), with silver and black cars each accounting for 17 percent of car sales.
 
Only slightly more than a quarter (27 percent) of sales last year were for vibrant colours, suggesting that when it comes to our cars, Australian consumers are more concerned with classic hues over flashy shades.
 
Autogenie’s General Manager Shiju Thomas said: “Buying a car is a big investment, whether you’re buying an economy or a luxury vehicle. If you’re going to spend $30,000 or more on a car, there is a strong chance you will have that car for some time, so perhaps people are less inclined to go for ‘fashion’ colours  like ‘Arabian Mocha’ and ‘Crystal Pear’, preferring to stick with classic colours that they won’t tire of.
 
“White cars are also typically seen as being a safer option by virtue of their visibility on the road, which could account for the popularity of the colour. They’re also reflect the sun’s heat better, which is a huge advantage on a hot summer’s day.
 
“Another factor in this trend could simply be that a white, grey, silver or black car will have a higher resale value afterwards than a car that is, for example, neon green. There will inevitably be a larger market for a car that is a more traditional colour than one that has a more niche appeal.”