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Earthy, muted tones are becoming increasingly popular with car buyers, according to the LA Times.
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Brands from Jaguar and Rivian to Jeep have recently released new smooth and matte palettes.
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The colors are a marked departure from the metallic, glossy paint used on many traditional cars.
Gone are the days of metallic, gleaming cars that gleam in the sunlight – these days, car buyers are looking for new rides in muted earth tones.
Silent cars are suddenly popping up everywhere, lining highways and parking lots in unassuming shades of gray, black, brown, beige and green. According to the Los Angeles Times, the trend first hit the streets in 2013 when Audi debuted its popular Nardo Gray hue, but it has accelerated in recent years as demand for the colors has grown.
Now automakers from Jaguar to Jeep have extended their color schemes to include these matte hues, wooing car buyers with nature-themed shades such as “Red Canyon” and “Glacier White” – shades within the “Earth Tones” palette. ” by Rivian, released in February 2022.
“What we might also call a ‘flat’ matte finish doesn’t shine like traditional car finishes,” wrote Kelley Blue Book in a 2022 blog describing the trend. “The term ‘stealth’ comes to mind when we see a car in matte gray or matte black. ‘Hot’ pops into our heads when the matte finish is a different color.”
But be warned – vibrant hues don’t come cheap. The tints are normally only available for select cars, usually luxury models and sports cars, and can add up to $400 to $10,000, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“People are willing to up the trim level and pay a premium for these colors because some cars look better in [them],” Ivan Drury, chief information officer at Edmunds automotive information service, told the LA Times. ‘ “
This kaleidoscope of muted car colors was anticipated by Paul Czornij, head of automotive color design in the Americas at paint supplier BASF, who told Axios in 2021 that consumers can expect more complex tones and textures.
“Remember, your car is an outward expression of who you are,” Czornij tells Axios. “The hue of the color, how bold or soft it is, depends on what you’re trying to project about your personality.”
Beyond personal expression, others say the trend is inspired by growing interest in green living and sustainability.
“We’re seeing social/political movements that are responding to this environmental concern and calling a lot of attention to use less gimmicks and move towards what is perceived as real and natural,” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, told the Los Angeles Times. .
Regardless of the reason, consumers seem to be responding. Derek Joyce, a spokesman for Hyundai Motor North America, told the Los Angeles Times that the muted tones of its Hyundai Santa Cruz model are outselling more traditional tones.
Styles are also gaining traction on TikTok, where users are sharing videos of their matte cars or transforming old models using the hottest new paints.
“You can never go wrong with matte black,” wrote one user.
Read the original article on Business Insider
