Colour Trends in Car Design: Early 1990s Insights

The early 1990s saw a fascinating shift in automotive colour trends, driven by consumer preferences and paint technology advances. While some classic colours remained popular, new hues and finishes began to emerge, reflecting broader trends in fashion and design.

Dominant Colors: Red, White, and Black

Red, white, and black remained dominant car colours in the early ’90s. These shades were favoured for their timeless appeal and versatility across different car models and types.

Rising Stars: Blue, Gray, and Silver

Blue, grey, and silver followed closely. These colours offered a modern and sophisticated look, appealing to a wide range of buyers, from family car owners to luxury vehicle enthusiasts.

The Green Trend

One of the most notable trends was the rise of green shades, driven by a growing interest in colours associated with nature and the environment. Marilyn White of PPG, a major paint supplier, noted the increasing popularity of soft mints, dark teals, and rich emeralds. This trend was evident in early 1991 models from various manufacturers:

• Volkswagen introduced the Passat in a pearly mint.
• Honda released models in soft turquoise.
• Ford produced a special edition Mustang convertible in rich emerald green, which sold out quickly in Canada.

Experimentation with Bright Hues and Frosted Finishes

Yellow also made a scattered appearance, with brighter hues becoming more common. Frosted shades, such as frosted blue and green, started to gain traction thanks to new durable paint technologies.

Consumer Preferences Driving Choices

Automakers closely monitored consumer preferences to determine which colours to produce. Toyota Canada’s Dieter Smythe explained how they tracked sales by colour to adjust their offerings. For instance, the Toyota 4Runner was eventually offered in black due to strong dealer requests, reflecting black’s popularity, especially among truck buyers.

The Role of Color in Car Design

Colour plays a significant role in car design, often overriding form and shape in the buyer’s perception. Trevor Creed, a design executive at Chrysler, highlighted that consumers often described cars by their colour rather than their make or model.

Specific Trends by Car Type

• Sports Cars: Bold colours like red, yellow, and black were popular for cars like the Toyota MR2.
• Family Cars: Milder shades like white, silver, and blue were preferred for cars like the Ford Tempo and Taurus.
• Luxury Vehicles: Black, white, and silver dominated the luxury segment, reflecting a preference for classic and elegant shades.

Conclusion

The early 1990s marked a dynamic period in automotive colour trends, characterized by classic favourites and bold new experiments. As automakers continued to innovate and respond to consumer preferences, the palette of car colours expanded, offering buyers more choices than ever before.

Sources

Carola Vyhnak Toronto Star. (1990, September 22). Greens, blues the hit hues for cars next year. Toronto Star (Canada).

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