I've been observing the color of cars for the past 3 or 4 years. I think it was in 2021 that I suddenly noticed that all new passenger cars in the US were in fascist colors: red, black, white, dark blue, or silver.
It didn't used to be that way. The highway used to be full of other colors as well: orange, gold, yellow, green, purple, brown.
Who decided to use only those colors, I wonder? Why did Toyota and Honda join in as well? They still make them in all colors for the Japanese market. Google "cars in Japan", and you'll see all the colors, mostly pastels rather than dark. Lots of pink, yellow, green, baby blue. Just one example: https://blog.csojapan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/img_9667-1.jpg .
Sure, the Nazis used red, black, and white, but does that make them "fascist"? But then didn't the brownshirts make brown "fascist"? And since when are dark blue and silver "fascist"?
It's a good question. "Fascist" doesn't mean just "Nazi". Its meaning is surprisingly obscure for a word used so often. I think it mostly means nationalist or racist extremists, though that would also make Woodrow Wilson and the Black Panthers fascist. Red, blue, and white are the colors most-often used in European, Asian, and Latin American flags, with green in 4th place. But not, interestingly, in African flags; their most-common colors are green, yellow, and red.
I can't really justify calling them specifically fascist. But they aren't cheerful colors.
It could be something to do with how durable and lasting some colors are in car paint. I know the same is true for awnings and billboards. Some colors fade less quickly etc.
Enjoyed reading your analysis - not sure how I feel about being scientific about fashion - isn't it a dark art? The most interesting bit are the trend observations - will definately follow your posts. Can you corrolate it with anything useful - consumer sentiment, inflation, mini-skirt lengths?
If you could send me a couple of samples of images you use for creating this analysis I would like to see if I could make you a local script that does the same. I find it an interesting challenge.
I've been observing the color of cars for the past 3 or 4 years. I think it was in 2021 that I suddenly noticed that all new passenger cars in the US were in fascist colors: red, black, white, dark blue, or silver.
It didn't used to be that way. The highway used to be full of other colors as well: orange, gold, yellow, green, purple, brown.
Who decided to use only those colors, I wonder? Why did Toyota and Honda join in as well? They still make them in all colors for the Japanese market. Google "cars in Japan", and you'll see all the colors, mostly pastels rather than dark. Lots of pink, yellow, green, baby blue. Just one example: https://blog.csojapan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/img_9667-1.jpg .
Sure, the Nazis used red, black, and white, but does that make them "fascist"? But then didn't the brownshirts make brown "fascist"? And since when are dark blue and silver "fascist"?
It's a good question. "Fascist" doesn't mean just "Nazi". Its meaning is surprisingly obscure for a word used so often. I think it mostly means nationalist or racist extremists, though that would also make Woodrow Wilson and the Black Panthers fascist. Red, blue, and white are the colors most-often used in European, Asian, and Latin American flags, with green in 4th place. But not, interestingly, in African flags; their most-common colors are green, yellow, and red.
I can't really justify calling them specifically fascist. But they aren't cheerful colors.
Strange...here in South Florida I've been noticing the opposite. A lot of new cars have pastel colors.
It could be something to do with how durable and lasting some colors are in car paint. I know the same is true for awnings and billboards. Some colors fade less quickly etc.
Nice to find someone else who finds repetitive tasks soothing.
Enjoyed reading your analysis - not sure how I feel about being scientific about fashion - isn't it a dark art? The most interesting bit are the trend observations - will definately follow your posts. Can you corrolate it with anything useful - consumer sentiment, inflation, mini-skirt lengths?
If you could send me a couple of samples of images you use for creating this analysis I would like to see if I could make you a local script that does the same. I find it an interesting challenge.
Super interesting. I’m glad I’m not the only person regularly distracted by colors and how we interact with them.