What’s the most popular color for cars?
Axalta Coatin g Systems recently released the findings of its 66th annual Global Automotive Color Popularity Report, which shows white once again as the worldwide leader in consumer vehicle color choice in 2018.
At an astounding 38%, white held its global top
spot with as ignificant gap ahead of second-place
black (18%) and a third-place tie between silver and gray (12%). Globally, white is down one percentage point over 2017 levels. But even with a year-overyear decline of 1%, white is still the decade’s most popular color by far.
From a regional perspective, black and gray saw significant increases in notable areas. Black jumped in China (+5%), Asia (+3%), South Korea and Africa (both +2%). Gray gained ground in Africa (+3%) and Europe (+2%).
North America saw a 2% increase in white, as well as the emerging brown/beige sector, as customers reintroduce color through neutral shades. The compact/sport class saw a percentage increase for brown/beige, as did the intermediate/crossover utility vehicle.
Green, the most popular color in North America as recently as 1997, barely registers in any region. Orange, although also in low usage, is showing small increases in Europe, Africa, Japan and India.
Additionally to note in North America: Pearl white jumpedby three points in the compact/sport segment. Brown/beige experienced a 2% year-over-year increase, the biggest gain for any region. “Other” shades such as orange and purple gained strength in the small car and truck markets.
Other interesting global color preferences included:
China produces more white cars than any other region. An astounding 58 percent of new vehicles sold are white, with the vast majority being solid white.
Europe is experiencing an upward trend of gray, with a 2% increase. Gray takes second place in this region for the first time in history. India has the largest percentage of silver by far at 31%, nearly 10% higher than any othe rreg ion. In Japan, blue i smo st used on sport vehicles, compact cars and small sedans, and blue is thought of as an ecological color used to promote brand image and good fuel economy. Blue is Europe’s most colorful hue and this is the only region in which th isc hromatic color enjoys a double digit share (10%). Russia is the most popular region for brown/beige at 9%, followed by China at 7%.
Published annually since 1953, Axalta’s report is the automotive industry’s longest running and most comprehensive color account. It is compiled and designed by Axalta’s color experts around the globe to provide manufacturers fascinating and relevant insights into consumer preferences to help them make informed color decisions.
For more information on vehicle colors and the entire report, you can visit www.axaltacs.com.