News: Red Cars Set For Extinction Soon?

The Once 'Most Popular' Car Colour Set for Extinction by 2037

If you drove through the UK in the late 1990s, chances are your eyes would have been greeted by a sea of vibrant red cars. In 1997, red was the colour of choice for one in four new car buyers—a striking, sporty shade that dominated the roads. Fast forward to today, and this iconic hue is on the verge of becoming a rare sight. According to a new analysis by AA Cars, red cars could all but vanish from UK roads within the next 13 years, as their popularity continues to nosedive.

A Fallen Favourite

The decline in the popularity of red cars has been stark. Between 1997 and 2014, the percentage of new red cars sold plummeted from 26% to just 13%. More recently, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reports that red now accounts for only 7.5% of new cars sold, placing it near the bottom of the colour preferences list.

This downward trend is hard to ignore, and it’s not just new cars that are affected. In the used car market, red fares even worse, accounting for just 6% of searches on the AA Cars platform. This suggests that the love for red has not only faded for new buyers but also among those browsing for their next pre-owned vehicle.

The Rise of Grey

While red cars are disappearing, grey vehicles have surged to the forefront. Once a relatively modest choice, grey has seen its popularity nearly double over the past decade, climbing from 14% in 2014 to a commanding 27% in 2023. Grey now leads the pack as the most popular colour for new cars, with black taking the second spot at 20%.

Interestingly, the used car market paints a slightly different picture. Black remains the top choice among buyers of pre-owned cars, with 27% of searches, followed by white at 23% and grey at 18%. This demonstrates a clear shift toward monochromatic tones that mirror broader design trends in fashion, home decor, and technology.

What’s Driving the Trend?

James Hosking, Director of AA Cars, reflects on this cultural shift:
“Drivers of a certain age will fondly remember a time when nearly every other car on the road seemed to be red, but those days are long past. The rising popularity of monochrome and grey cars has the potential to make our roads far less colourful.”

The trend towards neutral tones could be influenced by several factors:

• Resale Value: Neutral colours like grey, black, and white often hold their value better than bold shades.
• Modern Aesthetics: Minimalism and muted tones are increasingly favoured in contemporary design, and this preference extends to car colours.
• Practicality: Neutral colours tend to show dirt and scratches less prominently than brighter shades.

As red cars inch closer to extinction, the UK’s roads are becoming more monochrome. While this may appeal to some drivers’ sense of sophistication and practicality, others might miss the vibrant variety that once characterised British motoring.

Will red cars ever make a comeback? History has shown that trends can be cyclical, so perhaps the fiery shade will reclaim its throne one day. Until then, the rise of grey suggests that muted elegance is here to stay.