Every year, Dupont Automotive (they're a huge supplier of paint) lists the most popular auto colors. This year is no different and the most popular color for automobiles is: white, once again!

Silver is a close second, but this year saw a huge move by white and off-white world wide. White surpassed both black and gray this year in the 59th survey by Dupont Automotive.

White moved up to 22 percent share of all colors in the world; almost 1 automobile out of every four then is white. Red and blue finished below gray in fifth place while blue finished sixth.

Here is a list of the top colors by rank courtesy of Dupont Automotive:

• White/White Pearl 22 percent
• Silver - virtual tie, 22 percent
• Black/Black Effect - 20 percent
• Gray - 13 percent
• Red - 7 percent
• Blue - 6 percent
• Brown/Beige - 5 percent
• Green - 2 percent
• Yellow/Gold - 1 percent
• Others - 2 percent

Nancy Lockhart, DuPont's color marketing manager stated that "silver and black have long been recognized in the top three for color popularity. However, in the past few years, white/white pearl has been steadily growing in popularity outside of North America."

In 2011, white jumped by more than four percentage points, according to Lockhart. "There has been increased consumer acceptance for white, and our OEM customers are meeting consumer demand for the clean look it brings to vehicle design," she said.

"Silver and black were once the top colors of luxury, but white has increased in this area. The overall trend for casual luxury has spread to numerous vehicle types. The expectation to have a luxurious feel to the vehicle is globally sought. Classic white and pearlescent white effects are inspiring luxury design."

In North America, White/White Pearl holds 23 percent market share and dominated North American vehicle color for the fifth consecutive year, led by the truck/SUV segment, with 29 percent.
In smaller SUV's, white rose from 16 percent in 2010 to 18 percent in 2011.
Black held 18 percent in North America and was the most popular color in the luxury vehicle segment.

What does all of this mean? Probably not much to you and I, but it's a big deal with all of the major auto manufacturers. DuPont holds a trend show called "Sense of Color" which tries to predict future color popularity and explains the current messaging around color choice.

Delving deep into the emotions and dynamics of color, Dupont feels that the senses play an important role in understanding if a color is loud or quiet, powerful or somber, exotic or sophisticated.

So there you have it. Whether you plan to join the crowd and choose a white, black, or gray; or if you go extreme with green, pink, or turquoise; Dupont will certainly have the color for you!

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