In recent years, there has been a growing trend among auto manufacturers to offer vibrant new blue paint colors on vehicles. Blues have long been popular car colors, but the latest shades coming out really make a statement. These bright, eye-catching blues stand out on the road and give cars a sleek, modern look. But with so many blue hues out there now, it can get confusing to keep track of all the creative names manufacturers are giving these colors. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most popular new blue paint options you’ll find on today’s cars and decode what they’re called.
A Brief History of Blue Cars
Blue has been associated with automobiles almost since the beginning. Early pioneering models like the Ford Model T were available in a dark blue paint called Oxford Blue. Over the decades, auto paint colors tended to be more conservative neutrals and only occasionally strayed into bolder blues. By the 1950s and 1960s, pastel shades became popular for a time but gave way again to more subdued, nondescript colors. It wasn’t until the 1990s that car companies started experimenting with brighter, more energetic blues again. These “techno blues” coincided with sleeker car designs and reflected a desire for vehicles that made more of a statement. Since then, advancing paint technology has led to an explosion of new dramatic blue shades.
Vibrant Shades from Asian Automakers
Many of the most eye-catching new blues in recent years have come from Japanese and Korean auto brands looking to appeal to younger buyers. Scion, Toyota’s former youth-oriented marque, kicked off the craze in the early 2000s with bright blue colors like Hypnotic Teal and Solar Yellow Blaze. By the 2010s, Toyota was offering shades like Blue Crush Metallic on models like the Corolla, Camry, and Yaris. Not to be outdone, Honda has Deep Sea Blue Metallic and Brilliant Sporty Blue Metallic among its current palette. Hyundai also has appealing blues with names like Surfing Blue and Tide Water Teal. These automakers recognize the demand from customers who want their cars colored something more than just generic blue.
Energetic American Blues
The Detroit automakers have embraced the trend towards brighter blues as well in recent model years. One of Chevrolet’s most used blues on different models is called Wave Metallic. It’s a tropical-looking cyan shade that looks especially attractive on sporty designs like the Camaro. Ford offers Lapis Blue Metallic on models ranging from the Explorer to the Mustang. Jeep even has eye-catching shades like Nacho Blue, available on the Renegade and other models. Dodge has some of the boldest American blues, like the dark navy Go Mango and eye-searing Laser Blue seen on the Challenger. American companies are moving beyond conservative colors and really trying to capture a youthful spirit.
Mercedes and BMW’s Sophisticated Offerings
German luxury brands have some more refined takes on blue car paint. BMW’s current lineup includes fun colors like Portimao Blue Metallic as well as sophisticated darker shades like Dravit Grey Metallic. Mercedes-Benz also sticks to classier blues inspired by nature, like Selenite Grey Metallic replacing their old Iridium Silver. While more conservative than some brands, Mercedes and BMW still use blue to convey a sense of sleekness and style. Even their darker blues manage to look modern and carefully crafted. These colors feel specifically designed to match the refined character of German sedans and SUVs.
Paint Names that Stand Out from the Pack
While car companies get creative with naming their specialty colors, some new paint names in particular really stand out from the crowd. Kia’s been making a splash lately with uniquely named blues like Gravity Grey, Snow White Pearl, and Aurora Black. Volvo has shades like Bursting Blue Metallic that captures energy and excitement. The award for most evocative blue name might go to Nissan’s Provence Lavender and Hawaiian Sunset. These names conjure up vivid images rather than just defaulting to generic identifiers like “blue metallic.” More expressive color names can give buyers something extra to connect with during the purchase process.
Most Popular New Blues
With so many blue paint options out there these days, a few shades clearly stand out from the pack in terms of popularity across brands and vehicle segments:
| Paint Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Laser Blue | Intense, bright blue offered by Dodge |
| Deep Sea Blue | Darker, muted metallic blue used by Honda |
| Blue Crush Metallic | Vibrant tropical blue featured on Toyota models |
| Portimao Blue | Stylish blue paint option from BMW |
| Wave Metallic | Cyan blue shade found across Chevrolet lineup |
These hues cover a range of shades from vivid to more subdued. But they all share an energetic, youthful vibe. For car buyers looking to make a statement with blue, these trending picks are a great place to start.
Factors Influencing Blue Car Paint Names
With so many colorful names for new blue paint options, how do car companies actually decide what to call them? There are a few key factors that influence the naming process:
– Target buyer demographics – Names are chosen to appeal to the tastes of intended customers. Sporty blues may target young drivers, while elegant ones appeal more to luxury buyers.
– Current trends – Car companies look at influences like nature themes, jewelry tones, and modern electronics when brainstorming names that will resonate with today’s styles.
– Brand image – The name should support the overall brand identity. A conservative brand like Toyota would avoid the same flashy names as high-end Porsche.
– Language considerations – Names are checked to ensure they translate appropriately and avoid unintended meanings in other languages.
– Legal clearance – Proposed names have to be cleared for trademarks and other legal protections before being added to the lineup.
By considering these various factors, automakers try to settle on distinctive color names that capture the imaginations of buyers.
Creative Names for the Future
Looking ahead, automakers will surely continue dreaming up memorable new names for their specialty paint colors. We’ll probably see more natural themes like minerals, landscapes, and ocean shades. There also might be influences from luxury goods like deep violets with names reminiscent of fine jewels or fashion. And paint companies may start leveraging artificial intelligence to systematically generate evocative new names.
Some more fanciful names could arise too. Imagine driving a Ford Mustang in a color called Unicorn Magic Blue or a Ram pickup in Yeti Frozen Blue. While companies probably won’t go quite that far, it shows the potential for more creative ideas. The lack of great new car paint color names certainly won’t be an issue as automakers continue responding to consumers’ desire for personalization.
Conclusion
The proliferation of imaginatively named blue paint options reflects today’s car buyer preferences. Customers want vehicles that make a personalized statement. For many, that means opting for the newest blue shade from the dealer—maybe Storm Blue or Neptune’s Dream Blue. While tastes come and go, automakers are sure to keep offering an appealing spectrum of blues with names to match.
So next time you’re shopping for a new car, take a moment to appreciate not just the beautiful blue color you’re considering but also the name the manufacturer’s clever copywriters dreamed up for it. Those creative paint names help make every new car purchase feel just a little more special.
