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How To Choose A Professional Car Camera

Car Cameras, an emerging product of car accessories industry since 2009, sometimes they are called Dash Camera, Car DVR, Carcam, Vehicle Video Recorder and Vehicle Black Box, etc. It is the device which airplane blackbox technology used on vehicles. Most car cameras record both the video and audio to a Micro SD card which is similar to what we used for a digital camera. Usually car cameras are mounted on the windshield or behind the rear view mirror if the car camera is small enough.

Just because of the importance and benefits of a car camera, many governments insist on installing a professional car camera for all vehicles like taxis  private cars, school buses, and official vehicles, etc. In some countries, the popularizing rate reaches up to 80%, Russia for example. The US and EU governments have also requested all vehicles to be equipped with a car dash camera since 2010.

Surveying the global markets, car cameras are primarily from China and Korea, and the Chinese brand occupied 75% of the global markets. S.WILL is a well-known manufacturer of car camera. There are thousands of car camera suppliers on the market right now, the quality and service varies greatly. How to choose a quality car camera is often difficult for those who are not familiar with this industry. Here is what you should look for:

Video Quality

For a video camera, no doubt we care the video quality mostly, car camera is no exception. Currently the HD720P and HD1080P are the mainstreams on the market; however, there is also a cheaper one of VGA resolution. However, if you pay less to get a non-HD car camera, you’ll likely to be disappointed on the video quality; some sellers are not honest about this.

Frame Leakage

Currently all the car camera manufacturers primarily adopts MPEG-4 and H.264 compression method, of course H.264 compression is very advanced, the car camera might perform differently if different resolutions are adopted. While choosing your own car camera, be certain to get full real-time without frame leakage.

Viewing Angle

Choose a wide viewing angle one, some manufacturers greatly exaggerated their viewing angle. Currently the widest viewing angle we see in the market is 140 degrees.

Loop Recording

Loop recording function is also very important as we know that generally all car cameras store the video/audio footage in MicroSD card or SDHC cards which has very limited storage space. Generally, a 32G SD card can record about 8 hours in HD720P format, even shorter if in HD1080P, for this reason, supporting loop recording is particularly important.

Infrared LEDs

Some car cameras come with infrared LEDs which was supposed to fill flash when in low light surrounding, however, LEDs are not powerful enough to improve the night recording. Many vendors treat it as a good selling point – just disregard it.

Besides the above mentioned, we should also take attention to some other features such as Continuously G Force Sensor, GPS navigation, Power Protection, Auto ON/OFF etc.

Moro is the professional writer blogging and product reviews of car cameras and related car accessories.

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What You Should Know About Hybrids

Green is in, and hybrids are some of the most effective ways to reduce your impact on the environment. However, many people develop misconceptions about how hybrids work and what impact they have on the environment. Here are a few facts about hybrids and what you need to know about them before making a decision whether to purchase one or not.

Hybrid Use Two Engines

The defining feature of hybrids is the fact that they use two separate engines. For example, the Subaru XV Crosstrek 2014 model uses a 148-hp gasoline engine the supplemented by a smaller electric engine. While the electric engines used on many hybrids are fairly small, they are capable of running the engine at idle speed and when driving through low-speed traffic. In addition, electric engines can help provide a bit more acceleration when on the road. Over time, electric engines have become more powerful, which allows cars to use smaller gasoline engines. Smaller gasoline engines use less fuel, so hybrid vehicles are able to operate more efficiently.

Regenerative Braking Charges Batteries

When a hybrid vehicle brakes, the transmission shifts into a lower gear. The transmission then uses this power to drive a generator, which charges the batteries. In this way, hybrids are able to turn braking power into electricity instead of wasting it as heat. In other words, hybrids are able to recoup energy that would otherwise have been lost to heat. Hybrids are also able to charge batteries using their gasoline engines, which can help save fuel in certain situations. Regenerative braking, however, can only provide a relatively small amount of electricity. Because of this, electric engines are more limited on hybrids when compared to plug-in electric vehicles.

Hybrids Require Smart Driving

How you drive affects your mileage regardless of what you are driving. However, this effect is more pronounced in hybrid vehicles. Too often, drivers mash the gas pedal and the brakes and wonder why their mileage is not nearly as high as stated. In general, moderate acceleration saves energy, so drivers who are able to avoid developing a lead foot will be able to save fuel. In addition, regenerative braking can only work when there is sufficient time to allow the generator to catch up. Because of this, those who brake late will be unable to recoup as much energy as those who brake early. Try to anticipate stops, and allow your car to slow down as early as possible.

Do Hybrid Save Money?

Hybrids will allow drivers to save at the fuel pump, but the savings are mitigated by the fact that hybrids eventually need new batteries. Some vehicles come with warranties in case batteries fail prematurely, but all batteries will fade over time. Those who drive at reasonable speed and who avoid aggressive driving will be able to save money in the long term. Those who do not, however, may have difficulty seeing long-term savings.

Are Hybrids Bad For The Environment?

Batteries used in hybrids contain a number of rare earth minerals, which must be mined and processed. These activities cause environmental harm, and many have claimed that hybrids actually hurt the environment as a result. However, the material used in hybrid engines are recycled, and these minerals can be reused indefinitely. As long as drivers properly recycle their batteries as required by law, the long-term environmental impact of hybrids will be positive.

Hybrids allow drivers to save money and to reduce their impact on the environment. However, using hybrids effectively requires a bit of research. Fortunately, a few small tweaks can allow drivers to take advantage of all that hybrids have to offer.

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How to Become an F1 Driver

So you want to be a Formula 1 driver. We’ve all felt that yearning, after a sleepy Sunday with the Grand Prix on in the background, for a life of fast cars and glamour. If you’re serious about being the very best in motorsport, this is how to follow in the footsteps of F1’s greatest drivers.

Start young and impress people

Most Formula 1 drivers start karting before their tenth birthday. Take the competitions seriously and the practise even more so. You will need generous parents for this – karting is cheap compared to Formula 1 (in which teams commonly have hundreds of millions of dollars to play with), but it could still cost many thousands each year.

Lewis Hamilton’s father was not a rich man, but he supported his son by taking redundancy and then working three jobs. Lewis was fortunate enough to become a protégé of the legendary McLaren racing outfit from a very young age – he was the youngest ever driver to secure a contract leading to an F1 seat.

Join a cheap national series

If you’ve missed the opportunity to start kart racing while your age is still in single figures, you can skip that stage and join a good-value championship. These will be your introduction to racing, and while they’re less of an established breeding ground for F1 legends, people do progress and some end up as respected racing drivers.

The cheapest racing series is probably Locost, run in the UK by the 750 Motor Club. Everybody drives the same 1300cc Crossflow engine (which costs around £3,000) and are likely to spend a further £5,000 in the first year.

Classic touring cars, Formula Vee, Monoposto and Rallycross can all be done for under £10,000 too. If you have a bit more cash to splash – and you’re a complete novice – then you could buy a road legal race car from Caterham Cars, plus a whole year’s racing, from £21,495.

Damon Hill, at first a motorcycle racer, was pressured into trying four-wheeled racing by his mum. He progressed through the Formula Ford, another class popular in the UK.

Train hard and train often

Drivers have to train a lot. That means a huge amount of exercise and driving – driving a Formula 1 car puts dangerous strain on the body and without the right training, the G-force alone could cause an injury.

Even if you’re competing in less respected categories, your physical condition should be a top priority. Your diet should be constantly regulated, alcohol consumption reduced to minimal levels and your sleep/exercise regime closely controlled. You need to adopt the life of a pro sportsman, because that’s what you’re trying to be.

Deliver consistently good results

Come first, lots. Lewis Hamilton first showed promise during a remote-controlled car race. Jenson Button won his first karting championship almost immediately. Kimi Räikkönen’s steering wheel fell off during his first karting race outside his native Finland (aged 15) but he persevered. Jacques Villeneuve’s first 100cc kart performance was so impressive that he basically graduated to Formula 4 on the very same day.

If you think you can overcome the odds like this to win your races every time, while maintaining your health to the same level as any other professional sportsman, knowing the risks inherent in taking a chicane at 185mph, then you may be cut out for motorsport.

Featured images:License: Creative Commons image source

This article was written by Alex Johnson, a freelance writer and car enthusiast writing on behalf of MORE TH>N car insurance, which does not insure Formula 1 cars!

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Top 7 Weirdest Concept Cars of All Time

As anyone who follows car trends may be well aware, the car industry is not always a logical place to be and there are all sorts of odd autos each and every year. However, we’ve taken a look through the archives and found some of the most bizarre of all time. These are the cars that make the little GoWiz look like a Rolls Royce.

Nissan Land Glider

This zero emission concept is one of Nissan’s most inventive, which says a lot considering the weird autos that the car company has produced. The car uses a leaning concept to glide the car around the corner. Instead of a steering wheel a flight yoke is used, while the driver sits in the centre. There’s also a seat right behind the driver and a weird, futuristic looking dash to boot. It’s an interesting concept mind you.

Heuliez Friendly

Some cars are as weird inside as they are outside and this weird little campervan concept is most certainly that. The auto is large enough for three adults, is powered by electrons and can hit 70mph. It’s also capable of doing 140 miles on one charge and comes in three different shapes. It’s almost toy like to be honest and deserves its title ‘friendly’.

Venturi Volage

This is for those with a lot of money and also a racing heart. The Venturi Volage is all electric and made of super light carbon fibre. It’s a completely handmade auto and has a pair of electric motors. However, though you would imagine the car uses both for moving it doesn’t. One is for propulsion, while the other is there to help the suspension maintain a centre of gravity and enhance the performance and green credentials of the auto.

Mazda Kiyora

Expect technology from this car to hit Mazda’s mainstream compacts soon. The Kiyora is space ship like, but that’s not its biggest deal. It comes with a 1.3l engine that manages huge mileage and is extremely quiet. We’re not sure that the real models will come with the gullwing doors, however it’s still going to be something special.

Scion Hako Coupe

Not all concepts can offer a lot and this auto shown off by Scion at the 2008 New York car show is one such vehicle. The car looks like a box and the funniest thing is that it should. According to Scion, ‘the concept is the sporty version of a box’. It’s an angular looking car with a curving interior and has an orange driver seat and video game like inside. All in all it’s very strange.

Toyota Hi-CT

Toyota are usually pretty innovative when it comes to concept cars, however this fridge like vehicle was taller than it was long and less aerodynamic than a SMEG. It never made it to construction, though it was worth it for the laughs. Interestingly a lot of the technology has been used in the little Toyota Aygo.

Chrysler Expresso

Punning on a mixture of coffee and speed didn’t help this abomination. The yellow city car was as tall as a mini-van and looked like something from Sponge Bob Square Pants’ land. It really and truly was a weird, weird machine with little going for it.

Concept cars are there to showcase the future, amazing technology and astounding ideas – they often do, but then again they sometimes don’t.

Featured images:License: Image author owned

Michael Smith is an automotive writer who has worked on a variety of sites and articles in the industry.

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10 Essential Car Accessories for Parents

Every parent knows that having kids somehow manages to fill your household with a host of accessories you never knew existed until you found yourself pushing a buggy around the children’s section of your local department store. It’s not just your house that accumulates endless accessories, your car falls victim too. The good news is that, the kids’ accessories that exist for cars are all designed to make your children’s road journey a lot easier and safer. To preserve your car (and your patience) check out the 10 car accessories that parents shouldn’t be without.

1. Seat Belt Positioner

Does your child complain that the seat belt is irritating their neck? Do they constantly try to pull their seat belt off? Seat belt positioners allow you to adjust the shoulder strap of the seat belt so that it sits correctly on your child. These handy devices can be whipped up for a bargain, costing as little as ten pounds.

2. Sun Shades

Even if you live in the sun-starved United Kingdom, sun shades are a must-have to protect little faces from UV rays. On summer days they help to keep the temperature down in the car and protect your kids eyes from direct sunlight.

3. Buggy Bag

This crafty invention is a rip-resistant, waterproof solution to protecting your car from wet strollers. Before you put your buggy in the car, just pop it into this heavy-duty bag, zip it up and away you go.

4. Child Seats

Child seats are essential for your kids’ safety. In the UK, children must use child seats until they are either 135cm in height or twelve years old. Rear-facing child seats cannot be placed in the front seat if there is an airbag on the passenger side.

5. Car Bins

If you want to avoid a scattering of baby wipes and chocolate wrappers littered all over your car, pick up a cheap car bin that you can quickly empty every time it fills up. Some bins are collapsible, which makes them easy to store away if you are not using it.

6. Seat and Seat Belt Covers

If you put your car up for sale in the future, you will find it very hard to sell if the interior fabric is stained from sticky hands. Seat covers are the best way to protect your car from dirt and stains. Seat belt covers will protect your seat belt fabric,and they will also be softer against your kids skin.

7. Car Mats

Anyone who has ever collected their kid from a football match will understand the importance of car mats. A strong, durable car mat will protect the floor of your car for years. The best thing about car mats is that they can be taken out and washed, and when they get to old you can replace them.

8. Baby Mirror

If you have a rear-facing child seat, you are usually unable to see your baby or toddler by looking in your rear-view mirror. A baby mirror is installed so that it reflects the image of your baby from the rear to your mirror. The mirror is fully adjustable from the front seat using a remote control. Baby mirrors are not only good for keeping an eye on your child, they are also a comfort to your baby because they can see your face.

9. DVD Players

Specially-designed DVD players that can be mounted to the front seat headrests are a life saver on long journeys. They come with headphone jacks so that each child can watch a different DVD and the noise does not distract you while you are driving.

10. Roof Rack

You know all those accessories that have filled your household since your kids came along? Well you can take them with you when you go on holidays if you purchase a roof rack. There’s nothing worse than an overcrowded, sweaty car. If you are planning a long journey, put the luggage in the roof rack and give the kids some breathing space.

This article was written by Jenna Crotty who recommends www.micksgarage.com for roof racks.

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Classic Car Chase Scenes

Car chases have been incorporated in movies for as long as cars and movies have been around. They were featured in Charlie Chaplin skits dating to the early 1900s, and made for some of the most memorable slapstick sequences in early film.

A staple of action films, car chases have even developed into a genre of their own, with modern full-length feature films, like the Fast & the Furious, based almost entirely on car chases.

Film critics credit the 1968 film Bullitt as being the first car chase movie. It starred the action hero Steve McQueen as the lead man and driver. The iconic chase scene in the film was 10 minutes long and included filming from inside the vehicle, unlike anything seen before.

The 1971 film French Connection was notable for increasing the realism of car chases. It also featured breath-taking scenes of a car-train chase. The innovative approach of placing cameras at the fronts of vehicles made movie-goers feel as if they were right in the midst of hair-raising near misses – and, of course, actual crashes.

In 1973, the producer of both the Bullitt and French Connection, Philip D’Antoni, went on to direct another genre-moulding film, The Seven-Ups. This film is credited as having one of the world’s greatest car chase scenes, with the character Scheider’s 1973 Pontiac Ventura Sprint coupe chasing Hickman’s 1973 Pontiac Grand Ville sedan through the crowded streets of uptown New York. The film set the trend of locating car-chase scenes in the busy streets of metropolitan cities and featured a finale in which Scheider’s car crashes into a parked tractor-trailer and has its roof peeled right off.

The 1998 film Ronin included early examples of car chases running against the flow of traffic, complete with bustling street market scenes and vegetables flying in all directions.

In 2007, the comedy Hot Fuzz poked fun at the length of car chases in some films, cutting theirs down to the absolute bare minimum. Warning: There is the use of a “not safe for work” (NSFW) word that rhymes with “bit” and starts with “sh”.

The popularity of high-speed car chases isn’t limited only to the silver screen. Entire TV series, such as The Dukes of Hazard and Knight Rider,have been based on cars and car chases, and have contributed some of the best-known classic car chase scenes.

Modern film-makers have started using CGI to enhance car-chase scenes, given that regular pile-ups and barrel-rolling cars simply don’t do it for jaded audiences anymore. Clips like the one below have really raised the bar in terms of car chases, and we can’t wait to see what comes next. Warning: more NSFW cussing below in this clip from 2003’s Bad Boys II. Headphones are recommended!

Jeff works as a writer for www.masterparts.com – a company of petrolheads that provides a wide range of car parts in South Africa.

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What Would Be the Best Top Gear ‘Reasonably Priced Car’?

It was announced earlier this year that Top Gear was going to replace the ageing Kia Cee’d as its ‘Reasonably Priced Car’ and, last month, Jeremy Clarkson unveiled its replacement, which was…

Another Kia Cee’d!

Yes, the South Korean budget hatchback, which Clarkson phonetically calls the ‘see apostrophe dee’, was re-chosen above dozens of new cars that were unveiled in the year. However, we wanted to take a look at what other cars would have been a good choice to become the new ‘Reasonably Priced Car’ and be driven by actors, musicians and comedians alike.

Volkswagen Golf

£16,285-£24,375

Everyone’s favourite, the Volkswagen Golf, would be a perfect choice for Top Gear’s ‘Reasonably Priced Car’ as it is refined and enjoyable to drive.

The newest generation of the Golf has received rave reviews across the world, thanks to its driveability and host of impressive engines. We’re sure that with the right engine, the ‘Stars’ would love to drive this ‘Reasonably Priced Car’. With the steering well weighted and the suspension offering a comfortable ride with good body control, most Golf models are, quite frankly, sensational to drive – especially for a reasonably priced car.

Skoda Octavia

£15,990-£21,990

The Skoda Octavia began to appear in showrooms in key European markets last month and so would be a perfect fit for Top Gear as it is new and reasonably priced.

Although a driver of the Octavia may feel more bumps whilst out on the road, in comparison with the aforementioned Volkswagen Golf, the vehicle still rides comfortably, features plenty of grip and able to get around those tight corners with ease – so it will have no problem with the Gambon corner. Skoda Octavia models also come equipped with an impressive array of safety provisions, so celebrities can feel assured that they will be safe whilst driving the ‘Reasonably Priced Car’.

Vauxhall Corsa

£9,495-£20,607

Perhaps Top Gear could have stayed away from a small family car and chosen a supermini instead? If they did, they could have chosen the Vauxhall Corsa – a refined, comfortable car that is good to drive and would not cost the producers much money.

Steering on the Vauxhall Corsa is pretty sharp, so those last turns on the Top Gear Test Track would be a breeze for a good driver – so look away Terry Wogan! The Corsa has also won numerous awards over its lengthy lifetime, such as What Car? magazine’s ‘Car of the Year’ in 2007, so Top Gear would be glad to have a prestigious car amongst its ranks.

Citroen C4

£13,995-£20,735

How about a sleek and sexy car with plenty of ‘va va voom’? Citroen’s C4 hatchback range includes some fine engines that would do well when raced around the Top Gear Test Track.

It is also one of the cheaper small family cars out there, so it would save producers some money – not that they need to make cutbacks! Anyway, even the weakest engines within the Citroen C4 are able to provide the car with a respectable dose of speed, which shows the vehicle’s variety. We think that a Citroen C4 would compliment some of the more glamorous celebrities that appear on Top Gear, but perhaps not Jeremy Clarkson.

Fiat Bravo

£15,205-£19,605

You have probably seen these cars around your local streets, as they seem to be everywhere – such is a testament to the car’s popularity.

Thanks to some strong diesel engines and decent refinement, the Bravo would be quite nippy around the Top Gear Test Track and would fit the label of ‘Reasonably Priced Car’ rather well. Top Gear could also provide a final swansong for this car as, later this year, a successor will be revealed which will no longer put the car into the conventional C-segment as expected – but rather be classed as a ‘high riding’ C-segment car.

Any suggestions?

Well that’s it for our suggestions, but what about you? Do you think any particular models would make excellent ‘Reasonably Priced Cars’?

If you have a suggestion, feel free to leave it in the comments – we’re sure that we have probably left out some popular models.

Featured images:License: Creative Commons image source

This article was written by Glenn Doyle from AskaPrice.com. the UK’s leading car quotation website. AskaPrice.com can provide you with all the latest news and reviews from the car industry as well as having great information on a range of car manufacturers and models and allowing users to compare car prices online.

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How to Put a Car Through its Paces on a Test Drive

Of course before you go out and purchase an automobile you need to give it the good once over. You need to kick the tires, check under the hood, and then of course you need to take it out for a turn on the road. It’s always wise to know many things before you actually put any money down and walk away with the keys. Here is a hands on strategy for how to put a car through its paces on a test drive.

Startup

Turn the car on. Does it start right up? Does it purr when it’s idling? Does the engine make any aberrant noises when it’s turned on or as it’s turning on? Do you feel ready to take the car out of park and burn some rubber? You can tell a lot on the startup of the car; before you’ve even taken the parking brake off. You need to shut the salesperson up and then just listen.

Shifting

Once you have shifted into gear; how does that feel? If this is a manual transmission you have got to feel good about shifting the car or all is lost. You can’t acclimate your style of shifting to suit one car or another. If it’s an automatic transmission it’s a little less important but it’s also basically the same thing. You have to be able and engaged when you are driving the car; or else all is lost.

Handling

How does this car turn when you are turning? How straight does the car stay if you take your hands off the wheel? Of course you need to take into account any sloping of the road but if you are on an apparently straight road and your wheel greatly favours one side or another that’s an alignment issue which will come back to haunt you. Your new car, new or used, should have capable handling.

Brakes

When you’re cruising along, stop the car. How are the brakes? Do they hesitate? Are you able to come to a full and complete stop? Do they grind? Do they squeal? If either of those last two is true your car brakes are in bad shape. Good brakes are important to your overall ride; if you can’t stop the car that’s nobody’s idea of a good time.

Acceleration

When you’re able to get the car going, how does it accelerate? Fast? Are you able to pick up and get going? Or does your car lag the more your press down the gas? Acceleration is one of those things you might not think about when you’re buying your car but that is why you need to put your car through its paces when you’re out on a test drive.

Miscellaneous: How are the windows? Power or manual? Do they work? How about the wipers? Lights?Paneling? Auto locks? Stereo system? All these things and more are things you need to be inspecting closely before you buy your car. Especially if this one is a used car you never know what the heck you’re walking into. For that reason alone it’s important to kick the tires, check in the trunk, under your seat, ask to see the service records and on and on it goes.

Buying a car is a huge investment

Your car is where you are going to be spending so much of your time; it’s worth it for you to check out every last detail and make sure that you are happy with your purchase. Because that one tiny whistling noise that the back seat window makes could wind up driving you batty!

Nick writes for Kiwi French Automotive located in Slacks Creek near Brisbane. They are committed to the safety of the community. One of their recent specialised services is alcohol interlock system (breathalyser) installation in the Brisbane area.

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The Future of Car Infotainment - Where We are and Where We’re Heading

When you’re looking to purchase a new car what are the things you look for? Engine performance, fuel economy, a sleek design? Well nowadays more and more of us are considering a car’s infotainment system before making that purchase – and it is one of the most exciting and fastest developing areas of car technology.

As the performance gap between low and high-end vehicles reduces it is inevitable that there will be a shift in what sets apart a luxury car and it is for this reason, coupled with the rapid proliferation of smart phones and tablet devices, that infotainment systems are now a major focus of manufacturers.

Current Technology

The three key components of car infotainment are navigation, communication, and music, and all current systems look to satisfy these three needs – with varying results.

The main issue for car manufacturers is the pace in which the mobile device market moves in relation to the car industry. Research carried out by Tescocompare.com showed that drivers own an average of 9 vehicles in their lifetime whereas consumers typically own a smart phone no more than two years before upgrading.

This disparity means that in-built infotainment systems can become outdated very quickly, leaving motorists stuck with antiquated technology that cannot fully take advantage of the latest mobile technology.

A further drawback is that manufacturers are currently charging pretty hefty fees for the privilege of having this technology. Mini offers their full media bundle for an eye-watering £1700, while BMW itself also offers some high prices for its iDrive technology, however it is worth pointing out that their competitors are charging similar amounts.

The Future

Although it doesn’t seem so long ago that your sat-nav, mobile phone and music player were all separate devices, integration is now the watch-word for all smart phone and tablet devices. We want our technology to be seamlessly integrated, including when we’re out on the road, and the best example of this could be the upcoming R-Link system developed by Renault.

R-Link is based on Google’s Android operating system meaning that, if you have an android mobile device, you will be able to connect your smart phone with your car easier than in any other infotainment system.

Another possibility for the future is to allow mobile devices to actually control in-car systems. This will help to reduce the number of different interfaces that are on the market and simplify things for consumers.

An example of this sort of technology was on-show at the Geneva Motor Show where Volkswagen unveiled the Bulli concept, complete with a specially designed dock for the Apple iPad that allows the device to take over full control of the vehicles infotainment.

It is also expected that cloud computing will soon be playing a part in car infotainment as vehicles begin to roll-out with high-speed, always on internet connections.

This will mean that all of a drivers contacts, e-mailed etc will be accessible directly in-car, while we will also be able to download apps and important system updates.

Car infotainment systems are still a relatively young technology, and it is likely we will see many more changes over the next year or two as the manufacturers seek to capitalise on this ever-expanding market.

This guest blog was written by John Rooney on behalf of The Leden Group, providers of car leasing on everything from Fords to Mercedes.

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The Physiological and Social Factors that Influence the Colour of the Car We Drive

Everyone has an opinion on what the best colour for a car to be painted is. Most people believe that different car models look best when painted a particular colour and make their vehicle choices based on that belief. While personal preferences and availability often play a role in the final selection of a vehicle’s colour, many people choose the colour of their car based on other factors including safety consideration and cleanliness.

Popular Opinions About Vehicle Colours

• Henry Ford infamously sold his T Model Ford in all colours as long as it was black. People are still conservative in their choices despite cars now being available in a range of colours.
• Drivers of different age groups show a preference for specific colours with black being the most popular choice in younger drivers and drivers over aged 55 prefer silver cars.
• Popular opinion about car colours can affect the resell value of your car and if you are intending to trade in or sell your car in the future, you may prefer to choose popular opinion rather than your personal taste in the colour of a vehicle to assist its resale advantage.
• Light coloured cars tend to be seen more readily by other drivers and are often cooler in hot weather. If this is an important factor for you in your choice of vehicle, you may also consider selecting a colour other than white. Interestingly, orange and yellow are becoming popular colours amongst those seeking lighter coloured cars. Both these colours provide the same benefits of a lighter car, but are excellent for camouflaging dust and dirt that settles on the car body between washes.
• Darker coloured cars show dirt more readily than lighter ones and need more care to keep them looking good. They do look more impressive and this is the reason why most people favour a black luxury vehicle over a lighter one for a special occasion.
• Drivers of luxury vehicles often prefer silver as the colour of choice for their vehicle.  Silver has the advantage of hiding dirt and scratches easily and portraying an image that is consistent with the market value of the vehicle. Metallic blue is enjoying increased popularity amongst car enthusiasts and variations of the colour such as grey and steel blue create interesting alternative colours when they reflect the sun.

Your Image and the Choice of Car Colour

Manufactures of cars are more than aware of the importance of choosing colours that match popular opinion when releasing new car models. Despite displaying a range of interesting new colours at motor shows, many of these display cars are intended to attract attention to the car model and will not actually be found on the show room floor for resale.

It can’t be denied that a Ferrari looks fantastic in red and sports cars are often white, commissariat with their sleek image. Image plays a major role in our choice of car colour and research shows that many people will purchase their preferred car model only if the car yard supplies it in the preferred colour of the purchaser.

Featured images:

•  License: Creative Commons image source

After purchasing the best insurance for young drivers Laura could find she spent many hours considering what colour car to purchase.  In the end she opted for red due to the safety bonuses.