Toronto, Ontario — BASF has released its annual colour analysis report, wherein the coatings company details shifts in vehicle colour popularity around the globe.
The big topic of the story this year—it seems consumers are more keen on vibrant hues compared to the traditional favourites like white and silver.
Specifically, while white remains the top choice among consumers, warm shades like yellow and beige are becoming increasingly appealing internationally. Green has also risen in popularity across all regions, notes BASF, while achromatic colours like black and grey are also gaining traction.
“The shift is paving the way for the increased popularity of vibrant hues, warm neutrals and a more diverse palette across the industry,” BASF Coatings wrote in its latest Colour Report for Automotive OEM Coatings report.
In the Americas region, grey is proving as one of the “most versatile and captivating colours,” said BASF in a press release. Grey hues offer a range of tones—coatings can be cool metallics or warm, earthy shades. According to BASF, the 2024 automotive colour distribution shows a striking shift toward grey tones in the Americas, now capturing almost 20 percent of the total market share.
Meanwhile, black has dropped in popularity by two percentage points compared to 2023, while white cars have declined five percentage points.
“Grey 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 the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, white remains the most favoured colour, followed by grey. Beige is also gaining popularity, nearly doubling its market share.
“Beige and neutral colours evoke a sense of calm and sophistication, reflecting the desire for stability in a fast-paced world,” said Mark Gutjahr, global head of Automotive Colour Design at BASF. “They allow consumers to express their individuality while ensuring a timeless elegance in automotive design.”
Simultaneously, achromatic colours are also gaining popularity in the EMEA region and have steadily increased from 72 percent in 2021 to almost 80 percent in 2024, underscoring EMEA consumers’ appeal for neutral tones.
In the Asia Pacific region, achromatic colours remain the top choice for the majority of consumers at 83 percent, with black diminishing in popularity by two percentage points. White cars have witnessed a popularity decline of more than two points, notes BASF.
For more information on BASF’s global colour analysis, click here.
