White has been the most popular car colour in 2012, according to PPG Industries' annual survey.

Some 22 percent of light vehicles produced in 2012 so far have been white, up one percentage point from 2011, according to AutoNews. Silver took second spot with 20 percent, the survey showed.

Black was close behind on 19 percent, with grey taking fourth spot at 12 percent. These two colours each dropped a percentage point from 2011.

Red accounted for nine percent, while blue dropped one point to seven. Green stayed steady at two percent. According to the report, natural hues such as brown, orange and gold increased slightly in popularity.

PPG's study takes into account paint colour across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

PPG's colour styling manager, Jane Harrington, said she wasn't at all surprised to see that white, black and silver remained popular, seeing that they're all key colours in every vehicle segment.

However, brighter colours were often only be available in certain segments, she explained.

"On a Ford Fiesta, Mini Cooper or Fiat 500, there is a brighter range of colours offered than would be on a Lincoln MKX or a Cadillac," Harrington said. "If I think of the Volkswagen Beetle, I don't think I've ever seen a bad colour on a Beetle."

Rankings:
1. White (22 percent)
2. Silver (20 percent)
3. Black (19 percent)
4. Grey (12 percent)
5. Red (9 percent)
6. Natural (8 percent)
7. Blue (7 percent)
8. Green (2 percent)
9. Other colours (1 percent)