How is this a denial of individuality? They look very tasteful and other car makers and individual designers in other areas seem to agree. The author even said

How is this a denial of individuality? They look very tasteful and other car makers and individual designers in other areas seem to agree. The author even said: > The effect was sneaky but striking… the VW looked more uniformly smoothed, and as a result more visually dense, than yr typical car — sort of like it had been formed out of wet putty. Paradoxically, the paint job was so “muted” that it drew our attention way more than any of the other regs-painted cars at the trailhead… There's nothing that indicates it's better at hiding or being 'inoffensive'. A brighter red or other glossy colours are just not very interesting but unless it's neon they still blend in with every other car because they're normal these days. A boring white/black design would be more inoffensive.