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Why black is the new silver
Last updated at 23:37pm on 18.04.07Henry Ford famously promised his customers they could have cars in any colour "as long as it's black".
Well now black cars are becoming the fashion accessory for buyers in the know - adding hundreds of pounds to their value.
Not only are brand new black cars storming up the sales league among customers, second-hand black cars are commanding a £500 price premium over other colours.
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Above: Tarnished silver: the shade losing its appeal, Below: Top choice: Makers are cashing in on colour fashion, with the Seat Toledo Sport available only in black
Black has now overtaken silver are the most in-demand colour for used prestige cars of up to one year old or with 12,000 miles on the clock.
And the latest official motor industry figures show that black is close on the tail of silver in the new-car stakes.
The number of new top-selling silver cars has dropped from 726,000 in 2005 to 671,000 last year.
Over the same period, the number of black cars has soared from 479,000 to 522,000 - raising it from third to second place, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Richard Crosthwaite, prestige car editor of Eurotax Glass's Guide which prices used cars said:
"Prices for prestige models in black are typically several hundred pounds higher, and exceptional retail demand means customers are much less able to negotiate a discount.
"We are seeing a significant difference in sale prices for black prestige cars compared to those finished in other popular colours."
Lower-value prestige-brand vehicles, such as compact executive saloons like BMW 3 series models, Mercedes C-Class, will typically have premiums of £250 if painted black.
On larger models, such as the BMW X5 or Audi A8 buyers opting for black paint can expect to pay £500 extra.
Mr Crosthwaite said: "While the prestige market generally favours muted colours, there are exceptions.
"For example, vibrant colours - notably flat red - are less likely to have a negative impact on residual values in the sports car segment, as buyers accept it as being in keeping with the character of the car.
"However, on larger prestige saloons flat red paint is no longer even available as a standard option and on a compact executive model you could expect a residual value penalty of £1,000 after just one year."
White is proving highly unpopular on most prestige-brand cars with prices dropping by as much as £2,500. Green or red cars will knock between £1,500 and £1,750 off the price.
Mike Orford of car company SEAT, who has tracked the trend away from 'prestige' silver and towards black said:
"UK sales of new silver cars fell substantially in 2006, while sales of black cars grew to such an extent that it has now nudged blue out of second place. "We appear to be witnessing the rapid beginning of the end for Britain's love affair with silver cars."
To cash in on the trend, SEAT has just launched a new 125mph Toledo Sport 2.0 TDi special edition costing £18,995 which is available only in black.
Mr Orford said: "Last year ubiquitous silver lost some of its sheen with new car buyers while black jumped from third to the second most popular colour choice. Menacing black is now arguably the coolest paint option."
