Why are most cars monochrome now?

Post by **matthew1** » 27 Jun 2026, 10:15

Do you see it too? Look around at paint colors next time you're out. Something in our collective psychology has changed. Your thoughts welcome on the explanation.

From https://www.volvocars.com/us/

XC90 paint choices:

: Screenshot 2026-06-27 at 10.05.59 AM.jpg (31.61 KiB) Viewed 1157 times

Overall models:

: volvo-cars.jpg (96.78 KiB) Viewed 1157 times

Post by **volvolugnut** » 27 Jun 2026, 14:32

Yes, seeing more black and white vehicles.
Mostly black SUVs. Not a good color in hot weather.
The 1950's had interesting pastels. 1970s had bold, bright colors and Mini Skirts.
Have you seen any mini skirts lately? Or bright colors?
volvolugnut

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 27 Jun 2026, 22:01

I guess we are just stuck in the past. Despite my thoughts and views on many "car things", people are still buying them and OEMs and dealers make profit. (People are still buying Fords despite their sky high recall records).

Post by **abscate** » 28 Jun 2026, 00:53

Fords are popular in Norway , apparently.

The profound lack of colo(u)r is a sad statement of the dullification of the business.

We fight it with vibrant 417 blues, 702 reds, and salute the Orange cars we see on the highway as taking up the Colo(u)r Cru(o)sades!

Post by **BlackBart** » 28 Jun 2026, 11:40

Nice rich browns are making a comeback.

Mazda has some nice colors, they have a rich dark maroon / burgundy and a really dark blue.

I saw a giant Ford truck in Marsh Green that was really cool (not the truck, the color).

Post by **matthew1** » 28 Jun 2026, 11:47

Mazda's medium-dark metallic red is to die for. When I gaze into it sometimes I think it's inches deep. They've been slapping that on for probably ten years and I can't get enough of it. Browns are making a comeback, yep.

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 28 Jun 2026, 20:25

It is off topic, but I am happy to see the trend where physical buttons are making a come back. I recently saw that Rivian was planing to make more physical buttons same as Porsche. Hopefully the rest of "smart" companies will come to the bright side. If I would have to rate the most annoying for me feature- touch screen in a car. I was this week at toyota dealership buying updated wiper stalk for corolla(original 2024 le comes without delay function, thank you toyota), and was looking at all new cars..I possibly could see myself in new rav4, or chr, but entire dash board of lcd is just repeling and annoying. Makes me miss early 90s Audi 100-200 dashboards with added side analog gauges.

Post by **Sveedy** » 29 Jun 2026, 17:36

Maybe it has something to do with the collective mood of the country/world ?
Not as many people feeling quite so chipper, so not as many flashy colors ?

Post by **abscate** » 30 Jun 2026, 03:50

Sveedy wrote: 29 Jun 2026, 17:36 Maybe it has something to do with the collective mood of the country/world ?
Not as many people feeling quite so chipper, so not as many flashy colors ?

I think it’s driven by the prevalence of fleet sales to rentals who want neutral colours. My speculation.

When I went hunting for a red xc90 in late p2 chassis, I only found about 5-6 candidates in the USA. Ended up buying in St Louis

Post by **matthew1** » 30 Jun 2026, 11:49

abscate wrote: 30 Jun 2026, 03:50 I think it’s driven by the prevalence of fleet sales to rentals who want neutral colours. My speculation.

Plausible