25 percent of American cars are silver

(Credit: CNET)

Silver is the most popular vehicle color in the world, according to a study released by manufacturer of transportation coatings (or in English, paint) PPG Industries. For the ninth consecutive year, silver (and other silvery shades of gray) has not only led but has steadily increased its lead over other available colors.

According to PPG's numbers, about 25 percent of cars sold in the U.S. in 2009 have been silver. Europe (35 percent silver) and Asia/Pacific (34 percent) are even more skewed.

Armed with this information (and a bit too much time on my hands), I dug through our reviews archive and found that a whopping 33 percent of the cars that we've reviewed in 2009 have been silver. (Yes, I counted them.) So, we're a bit ahead of the North American curve, but on track for the world. Of course, a quick glance at any parking lot or congested road would prove that without an hour wasted counting.

Coming in at a not-so-close second and third are the colors white and black, at 18 percent and 16 percent, respectively. Honorable mention goes to red's 12-percent share.

PPG cites a variety of new metal flake and advanced-coating technologies as reasons for silver's popularity. Personally, I'm a fan of flashier finishes.