BASF has released the BASF Colour Report 2020 for Automotive OEM Coatings unveiling a wider range of chromatic colours used by the world's OEM automakers.
BASF released its Colour Report 2020 for Automotive OEM Coatings. The report shows how the automotive colour palette is shifting in unconventional ways, unveiling a wider range of chromatic colours as demonstrated by the world's assembly lines' choices in terms of colour.
The emergence of some new colours such as blue and yellow made the overall spectrum wider than in 2019. Achromatic colours like white, black, silver and grey still coated the majority of the vehicles produced, with white being the most popular colour.
Automotive colours around the world
* EMEA: In 2020, about 11% of new vehicles in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) were coated in blue, making it the most popular chromatic colour. Violet is a newcomer to the market, increasing diversity even more. In the achromatic spectrum, white is still on top at 28% of the market, followed by grey and black.
"Colour variety changes with size. For example, where violet has a unique home in mid-size SUVs, it does not appear in great numbers in smaller or larger SUVs," said Mark Gutjahr, head of Automotive Color Design, EMEA. "The opposite is true with yellow, which shows up in both the very small and the very large, but not the middle. These are specific and unique color positions that appear and disappear throughout the segments."
North America: Blue gained more popularity as an automotive colour in North America. In fact, shades of blue are seen as more elegant, and buyers who may have chosen beige or brown in the past seem to be moving to blues or greys. "Just as we predicted three or four years ago, blue is having a moment in the sun, and we're using some beautiful effects and pigments that advance the possibilities of hue and texture in this important design space", said Paul Czornij, head of design, The Americas.
Asia Pacific: Asia Pacific's preferences mirror global data, and its bright colours reflect the awakening that chromatic colours are experiencing elsewhere. White is still the most popular colour in the region and black and gray continue to improve. While the total numbers aren't huge, brown, green, and violet are all consistent in colour popularity. "People in Asia Pacific really enjoy choosing colours for their vehicles. Colours are very human-oriented, flexible, and free, showing the diversity of the region and its people," said Chiharu Matsuhara, head of design, Asia Pacific.
South America: The South America market highlights its love for achromatic colours. In fact, South American car buyers have historically chosen more traditional colours. White is so far the favourite, covering about 39% of OEM vehicles. The popularity of grey and silver is higher than in other regions, with 18% for each. Black has the smallest preference among the achromatic colours, with 12%. Altogether, the achromatic colours command an 87% share. "Trends that are popular in other parts of the world are slower to catch on in South America. While this is a continent with many colourful aspects of its culture, people tend to be more conservative with their cars," said Marcos Fernandes, Director Regional Business Management, Automotive Coatings South America.