Axalta Coating Systems has published the findings of its 65th annual Global Automotive Color Popularity Report, which shows white as the worldwide leader in consumer vehicle colour choice in 2017. This was followed by black in second place at 16%, and grey and silver tied in third place for the second consecutive year at 11%.

“With its modern appeal, white continues to be the top seller worldwide,” said Nancy Lockhart, Axalta Global Color Marketing Manager. “Pearlescent whites gained 4% in popularity this year as this multi-coat colour is used on all segments and has the highest usage in Japan. Overall, light and bright colours continue to gain strength as light grey and light to medium shades of blue have increased interest in the market."

Published annually since 1953, Axalta’s report is the automotive industry’s longest running and most comprehensive colour survey. It’s compiled and designed by Axalta’s colour experts around the globe to provide OEMs fascinating and relevant insights into consumer preferences to help them make informed colour decisions.

“Automotive colour evolves over time,” says Elke Dirks, Axalta Automotive OEM Colour Designer, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Recently, blue has been trending in various versions from highly chromatic shades to light metallic colours, and grey has been on the rise as the next competing neutral.”

Other subtle trends picked out by the report include, buyers in India prefer silver more than any other region at an amazing 30% and overall, more white vehicles are produced in China than any other region, of which 47% are solid white and 15% pearl white. 

For more information on Axalta’s Global Automotive 2017 Color Popularity Report, please visit axalta.com/color.