Choosing a color for your car is just as important as the vehicle itself, with preferences all over the world varying depending on taste and several other factors. While expressive and unique colors – such as the one-off Celestial Jade on a Porsche Taycan – exist to express individuality, the global trend points toward a preference for more traditional ones. However, the recent BASF Color Report for 2024 highlights a shift both globally and in America.
According to the report, the 2024 trends indicate that while achromatic colors remain popular, their dominance is slowly eroding as chromatic hues gain traction. Warmer shades like yellow and beige are on the rise globally, appealing to consumers looking for fresh and contemporary choices. At the same time, gray has emerged as the favored hue in the past year, reflecting a significant increase in popularity in all regions.
Gray Is Becoming The New White In The Americas
- Gray vehicles increased by 10 percent in North and South America.
- Black and white paint color fell by 2 and 5 percent, respectively.
- Blue and green are also becoming popular, increasing by 1 percent.
While exciting colors remain endemic to exciting cars, gray has seen a significant rise in popularity, now making up 20 percent of the market in North and South America. White is still the most popular at 29 percent market share, but it has declined by 5 percentage points. Black also fell by 2 percent, putting it on the same ground as gray, while red also lost a percentage point compared to 2023.
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According to Victoria Fislage, senior design manager at BASF Coatings, gray offers a balance of sophistication and versatility, making it an increasingly attractive choice. “Gray is redefining automotive style, gaining popularity for its versatile sophistication as preferences shift away from traditional white and black,” she said. Fiat would be inclined to say otherwise, however.
Black And Warm Colors Are On The Rise Globally
|
Color |
Market Share |
|---|---|
|
White |
34% |
|
Black |
22% |
|
Gray |
17% |
|
Silver |
8% |
|
Blue |
7% |
|
Green |
2% |
|
Yellow |
1.5% |
|
Beige |
1% |
Globally, the once-dominant white continues to hold the top spot, but has seen a 2 percent decline in market share. Meanwhile, black and gray have gained ground, reflecting a shift toward a sleeker, more sophisticated aesthetic. Notably, yellow has doubled its market share, while green has also gained traction, particularly for buyers residing in the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions.
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According to the BASF report, the Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) regions are seeing an increase in beige and warm neutral colors. The overall preference for achromatic colors has grown from 72 percent in 2021 to nearly 80 percent in 2024, with gray and white maintaining strong market positions. Meanwhile, Asia Pacific remains a stronghold for achromatic colors, with 83 percent of consumers still choosing black, white, gray, or silver, though the notable popularity of yellow cars was seen in this region.
