Automotive Color Report 2024

The recently released Automotive Color Report by BASF Coatings delves deep into the latest color trends in the automotive industry, examining preferences on a global and regional scale. As consumer tastes continue to evolve, color remains a crucial factor in vehicle design, influencing purchasing decisions and establishing brand identity. The color distribution referred to in the report was calculated by BASF Coatings on the basis of the available information regarding global automotive production and paint application to passenger cars.

The report highlights a notable increase in the popularity of achromatic colors in the EMEA region, rising from 72% in 2021 to nearly 80% in 2024. This underscores the growing appeal of neutral tones. White remains the most favored color, closely followed by gray. Of particular interest is the significant surge in popularity for beige, which has nearly doubled its market share. According to Mark Gutjahr, global head of Automotive Color Design at BASF, "Beige and neutral colors evoke a sense of calm and sophistication, reflecting the desire for stability in a fast-paced world. They allow consumers to express their individuality while ensuring a timeless elegance in automotive design.

In Americas, Gray is proving to be one of the most versatile and captivating colors. With its vast range of tones, from cool metallics to warm, earthy shades, gray offers depth and sophistication that can be surprisingly vibrant. This year’s color distribution reveals a striking shift toward gray tones, now capturing almost 20% of the total market share. Black has dropped by 2 percentage points compared to 2023, while white cars have seen an even more significant decline of 5 percentage points. “Gray is redefining automotive style, gaining popularity for its versatile sophistication as preferences shift away from traditional white and black,” said Victoria Fislage, Senior Design Manager at BASF Coatings.

In Asia Pacific, black dominates, yellow blossoms: Achromatic colors remain the top choice for 83% of consumers, with black gaining 2 percentage points in popularity, reinforcing its association with elegance. In contrast, white has seen a decline of over 2 points. Meanwhile, chromatic colors, particularly yellow, are on the rise, with softer tones like pastel and greige yellow leading the way. These shades resonate with themes of AI-human harmony and sustainability, especially in electric vehicle design. Those are reflecting a shift toward harmonious, optimistic color palettes. “Earthy and pastel yellows capture today’s values – functionality, sustainability, and coexistence with nature,” said Chiharu Matsuhara, head of Automotive Color Design for Asia Pacific.

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