Around the Net

Ford Is Changing Its Colors

  • USA Today, Thursday, September 20, 2007 10:45 AM

By 2009, nearly half of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks will feature new and often trend-setting paint colors--a changeover that will be the biggest in the company's 104-year history. Some of the new hues already are on the road, like the fiery "blazing copper" featured on the Ford Edge crossover vehicle.

Sixty percent of the cars and trucks sold in the U.S. today are coated in white, black, red and silver. Although those colors come in a variety of tones and finishes, color matters to consumers a lot more these days than this basic palette suggests. Nearly 40% of consumers will walk out of a dealership if it doesn't have a vehicle they want in the precise color they want, Ford's research shows.

Susan Lampinen, group chief designer for colors, materials and interiors at Ford, says the company is "going after paint leadership." It believes colors like those slated to hit the market in the next year will help the company boost sales. "We know it's something that seals the deal," Lampinen says.

advertisement

advertisement

Read the whole story at USA Today »

Next story loading loading..