The report highlights the top 10 most popular automotive color spaces and provides insight into how color preferences continue to evolve across global markets.
The international paints and coatings supplier Axalta has recently released its 73rd annual Global Automotive Color Popularity Report. The report offers an updated look at the landscape of automotive color in 2025, in which once again, white, grey, and black dominated.
Axalta’s 2025 Global Automotive Color Popularity Report revealed steady movement rather than dramatic shifts, with neutrals continuing to dominate the market:
- White remains the leading color at 29%
- Black at 23%
- Grey at 22%
- Silver lost momentum at 7%
- Blue maintained 6%, affirming its position as the strongest chromatic color and signaling continued interest in subtle, chromatic tones
- Red, brown/beige, green, as well as yellow and gold remain smaller but steady contributors to the global palette.
“This year’s report reveals how enduring neutrals continue to anchor the global palette, even as interest rises in finishes that bring greater depth, movement, and individuality to vehicle styling. Overall, the 2025 landscape reflects a market anchored in simplicity yet increasingly open to refined color expression and contemporary finishes,” has stated Lei Qiao, Vice-President Technology, Mobility, and Coatings at Axalta.
The report also captures slight changes in color popularity based on geography:
- North-America: White leads at 3%, a slight decrease from 2024 as chromatic colors rise in popularity. Drivers in North-America increasingly choose bolder colors, with blue at 10% and red at 7%, reflecting a broader cultural shift toward customisation and standout styling.
- South-America: White leads at 35%, valued for practicality and performance in warmer climates. Silver increased to 14% and blue to 7% - signalling continued growing interest in modern, refined tones. Grey at 23% and red at 4% round out a palette trending toward lighter, fresher expressions.
- Europe: Gray dominates at 26%, increasing slightly from 2024 as the region continues to favor refined, understated design. White at 25% and black at 22% maintain their strong presence, creating a palette rooted in sophistication and harmonising with Europe’s sleek, modern vehicle styling.
- Asia: Asia continues shifting toward expressive color, with yellow/gold rising to 4%, green growing to 3%, and standout shades like orange and purple increasing to 2%. In a rapidly expanding EV market, bold, saturated hues help brands build identity and stand out, even as black increases to 26% across the region.
“Our proprietary resin chemistry enables Axalta to develop and deliver an expansive palette that meets the wide variety of colors demanded by different customers, cultures and climates, while at the same time ensuring the durability, performance and sustainability of the coating,” has added Robert Roop, SVP and Chief Technology Officer at Axalta.