statistics and reality - mismatch by nature

Well, it's funny what you read in the papers. According to most Dutch newspapers we dutchies like grey cars best, followed by black and then, after a big gap, other colored vehicles.

Now, I've taken the liberty to copy results of a poll and measure that against the statement of the newspapers. What seems to be the case = most people that voted there like black cars most, followed by grey-metallic.

Now why would so many people like grey cars?

The answer seems to be that car manufacturers have found out that metallic grey is the most fashion resistant color. So they started producing more and more of that color. Knowing that most people that buy a car are not willing to pay extra for another color ( and possibly being afraid not to be able to sell it if it's not boring grey) they buy the grey one.

Searching a little further I found out that the statement regarding the color preferrences originated out of a study that mentioned the colors of cars in the Netherlands.

This brings me back to my gavorite saying of Queen Beatrix regarding " reported news":

It's all a lie !

In fact the only thing that the papers base their statement on is the just published statistic of " what colors do dutch cars have?"

So, should you feel the need to get yourself a bright yellow or blue car then know that your not alone and that there are more colored car liovers then the newspapers wnat you to believe!

Enjoy a colorfull life !

Andre