Do you drive with the pack in a white car – or do you stop traffic in red?We take a look at some of the most popular car colours and find out what they might tell us about drivers’ personalities.

In October 2013, transportation-paint manufacturer PPG Automotive Coatings revealed the most popular colours featured on new cars that year, with white proving the world’s favourite for the third year running – dominating the market with a 25 per cent share.

While silver used to take top spot, it now ties for second with black – with each proving the shade of choice for 18 per cent of the surveyed population.

Speculation abounds as to why certain hues top the popularity stakes. In 2012, for example, UK vehicle pricing data experts CAP found that white cars typically hold around 5 per cent more of their value than the market average for a typical used car, which could explain their high sales. Another theory suggests that car colours mimic technology trends, with white cars rising up the ranks over the past few years thanks to Apple’s range of white iPhones and iPads. The same could be said of silver, which proved popular in the early to mid-2000s among car and electronics consumers alike.

But beyond trends and practical considerations, could a driver’s personality play a part in their car-colour decision? According to Chris Rewell, an image and colour consultant and former President of the Colour Society of Australia, a car’s colour can say a lot about its owner. Here, she shares her thoughts on several shades.

Black

PPG popularity: 18%

Personality traits: “Black is a colour of power and mystery,” says Chris. “It is authoritative, dignified and sophisticated; the colour of independence, strength of convictions, intensity, self-control and protection.”

Suzuki options: Alto, Swift, Swift Sport, S-Cross, Grand Vitara, Kizashi, Jimny Sierra

Red

PPG popularity: 9%

Personality traits: “Red is about physical stimulation and high energy – physical action and passion,” says Chris. “It demands attention and is confident and bold.”

Suzuki options: Alto, Swift, Swift Sport, S-Cross, Kizashi

Blue

PPG popularity: 7%

Personality traits: “Blue represents truth, solidarity and duty,” says Chris. “To Egyptians, it meant divinity, truth and integrity. Blue is calming and non-threatening, and 33 per cent of people choose it as a favourite colour generally.”

Suzuki options: Alto, Swift, Swift Sport

Green

PPG popularity: 2%

Personality traits: “Green is the balance between warm and cool,” says Chris. “Methodical, efficient, balanced and controlled, it is the colour of security, success and achievement. It can be seen as the colour of money, also the promise of a fresh start – going forward, getting the ‘green light’. Green creates calm and is harmonious.”

Suzuki options: S-Cross

Yellow

PPG popularity: Part of the 1% attributed to ‘other’ colours

Personality traits: “Yellow is the lightest and brightest of the warm spectrum colours,” says Chris. “Positive by nature, it attracts attention in a cheerful, optimistic manner.”

Suzuki options: Swift Sport