Axalta Releases 67th Annual Global Automotive Color Popularity Report

According to the report, the top three positions were held by white at 38%, black at 19%, and grey at 13% automotive colours. White has maintained its global leadership position among automotive colours since 2011. Silver lost its place in the top three this year and declined to its lowest level in the past decade with a 10% drop in popularity. The report also showed that grey gained popularity in both global regions. However, the four leading colours—white, black, grey, and silver—continue to dominate the automotive sector with an 80% share of the global market.

Axalta Global Colour Product Manager Nancy Lockhart;

We are very pleased to have published the 2019 Global Automotive Colour Popularity Report. After working for more than 65 years on customer preferences in automotive colours, we have truly become the world leader in identifying trends and helping our customers produce great automobiles composed of the most popular colours," she stated. Regionally, automotive colour preference changed slightly from the previous year, with only one significant shift. White colour in Europe declined by 1% and grey increased by 2%, thus grey rose to first place in Europe for the first time. Elke Dirks, EMEA Region Colour Designer at Axalta, stated, "In Europe, following demand for grey-pink in the SUV segment last year, we saw a 5% growth in the compact/sport segment this year. For the first time in Europe, the natural diversity of refined and sophisticated grey has surpassed white, which has long been the favourite colour. By preferring grey, Europeans demonstrated their desire to reduce emotional noise in their lives and feel more comfortable." White colour maintained its leadership in other geographies by showing a 1% increase in popularity in Asia and having the highest popularity at 49%. Annie You, China Colour Designer at Axalta, commented, "China's consumer preferences clearly show white leading, reflecting their preference for a modern, sophisticated and clean appearance." In North and South America, white maintained its leadership while interest in grey vehicles also increased.

Lockhart;

While the four neutral colours—white, black, grey, and silver—continue to lead globally, we have noticed in recent years that other colours, which were previously unthinkable, have begun to show themselves on the popularity scale. One thing is certain: consumers are beginning to bring different perspectives to the colours of their vehicles, and Axalta is well positioned to collaborate with our automotive sector customers to meet these needs," she continued. Different shades ranging from greenish blue inspired by ocean blue to navy, ice blue, and denim blue have begun to appear worldwide. Globally, red at 9% was the most popular colour in North America, while brown/beige at 12% held the lead in Russia. Colour is an influential quality in customer preferences and product brand work, and Axalta is dedicated to increasing paint varieties with colour science and technologies for future vehicles. Lockhart concluded, "Blue, red, and brown/beige colour tones are rapidly becoming noticed on today's roads. At 10%, blue is the most popular colour in North America and Europe, so finding the blue that suits your taste is no problem at all."

Regional Highlights from the 2019 Report:

• Africa – Light colours such as silver and white maintained their leadership at a combined 58%. • Asia – Pearl white colours are the leading popular colour in this region and this rate continues to increase. • Europe – Grey has surpassed white, which has long been the favourite colour, to become the most popular colour. • North America – Blue, comprising 10% of total vehicles, showed a 2% increase. • Russia – Beige/brown warm tones were preferred far more than in other regions with a 12% rate. • South America – Silver was the only region showing an increase with a 1% change. Axalta's annual Global Automotive Colour Popularity Report, first published in 1953, is the longest-running and most comprehensive colour report in the automotive industry. Together with the Axalta Colour Trend Report, the past and future of automotive colour have been compiled by Axalta's global colour experts. The report provides automotive OEMs with insights that will help them obtain information about consumer preferences to make informed decisions regarding automotive colours. The complete Axalta Automotive Colour Popularity Report is available on the website.