White remains most popular car color globally

Just this past Wednesday, while strolling through Porsche's Panamera/Cayenne assembly plant in Leipzig, we noticed a preponderance of white Pannies being constructed. According to paint supplier PPG, that should be no surprise. Since last year, it's been the top color here in the US, and Porsche's number one market is, of course, North America. Beyond that, despite variances in regional tastes, white also takes the overall top spot globally.

Silver, boring silver, is hanging onto the color crown in Asia, while the Europeans have opted for inky blackness, apparently a reflection of the Continent's financial woes.

For members of the Brown Car Appreciation Society [full disclosure, your author is a charter member], there's heartening news. Shades such as gold, bronze and copper are on the rise. Over the past few years, we've seen an increase in the number of rich browns offered by manufacturers; the next logical progression is to go lighter with the hues. We swore we'd never say this in the late '90s, but Champagne, we've really kinda missed you. You really added that extra smidge of zazz to the second-generation Acura Legend. Here's to hoping you're next on the palette of chromatic desirables.

By Davey G. Johnson