BLACK and grey are now the colour of choice for one in four new car buyers, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Last year saw a surge in the number of black and grey cars leaving the showrooms compared to 2003.

The number of new black cars sold was up 13.8 per cent from 383,000 to 436,000, while the number of grey cars showed an even bigger percentage increase from 204,000 to 244,000 (19.6 per cent).

Meanwhile, the number of red cars fell by 14.8 per cent in the same time period and has halved since 1998.

SMMT chief executive Christopher McGowan said: "100 years ago, Henry Ford said you could buy the model T in any colour as long as it was black.

"Today, new car buyers have more model and colour choice than at any time in the past. But now black is increasingly the colour of choice, rather than of necessity."