BASF has released its annual automotive colour popularity report, showcasing global coating preferences.
After the recent publication of the colour trends surrounding the 2021 and 2022 automotive industry, BASF has also released the BASF Color Report 2021 for Automotive OEM Coatings, the annual study on the most popular colours selected by manufactures for cars worldwide.
The analysis shows that the achromatic colours such as white, black, grey and silver are still the most popular, since they possess a classic and timeless beauty as well as a connection to both the environment and high technology. As already predicted by BASF’s designers some time ago, however, blue and red are rising in popularity. Also green and beige witnessed an increase, especially with particular shades.
Europe, Africa and Asia: greater diversity of chromatic colours
The share of chromatic colours in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) is over 27% and still raising, with blue driving the trend. There are currently around 180 shades of blue – from sky blue to midnight blue – that are elegant, fresh and young. Red and green follow. White is the most popular among the achromatic colours, although also grey has witnessed an increase: its 160 shades range from elegant, dark and sparkling colours to light and sporty solid ones.
“Colors designed for EMEA use familiar color positions, but change them with the help of new effects, subtle color gradients, or a specific sparkle behavior. They make the chromatics stand out as bold expressions of individuality and sportiness, gaining popularity each year,” stated Mark Gutjahr, head of Automotive Color Design – EMEA at BASF.
Over 79% of new vehicles produced in the Asia-Pacific region in 2021 were coated with achromatic colours, with white still the most popular one although it is becoming to decrease. Black and grey, on the other hand, continue to improve by maintaining a four-year trend. The popularity of chromatic colours, however, is stable. Blue increased, mirroring global data, as well as brown, gold, beige, orange, yellow, green and violet. Red went down instead.
“AP has the largest volume of automotive production in the world, and reflects the highest diversity of color, compared to other regions. Along with the surge in blue, the family of green colors increased. From teal to khaki to olive, these aren’t the usual greens, especially in SUVs,” commented Chiharu Matsuhara, the head of Automotive Design for AP at BASF.
Colour preferences changing rapidly in North America but slower in South America
Blue decreased by 4% in North America compared to last year, while red surged by 1%, positioning itself as the most popular chromatic colour together with blue. Among the achromatic colours, white witnessed an increase while silver or grey are still down. “North America appears to change direction more quickly. With demand high and supply trending lower, buyers could be forced into making more pragmatic choices and fewer emotional choices. Consumers have quickly shifted to more familiar shades in the achromatic space,” declared Paul Czornij, the head of BASF’s Automotive Design for the Americas.
South America results to be slower to adopt colour direction than other regions, because car buyers tend to be more conservatives. Blue, however, has taken some market share from red, increasing by 3%. “With an increase that large, blue is really establishing itself in South America. From sky blue to dark blue, more car buyers are moving into this color family. We’re using some beautiful effects and pigments, especially metallics, that advance this important design space,” concluded Marcos Fernandes, the director of BASF Coatings division for South America.