BASF Report on 2021 Automotive OEM Colour: New Challenges Put a Sharper Point on Popularity of Colour

In 2021, the automotive industry faced new challenges that it had never faced before. The total number of vehicles built on the world’s assembly lines in 2020 and 2021 was significantly lower than the years before. That put a sharper point on the popularity of certain colour spaces in the BASF Colour Report 2021 for Automotive OEM Coatings while knocking some perennial favorites down a few points.

The achromatic colours – white, black, gray, and silver – are still the most popular. They have a classic, timeless beauty, and a connection to both the environment and high technology. But some cracks are showing in their armor as new color spaces emerge.

As predicted by BASF’s designers years ago, blue is having a moment in the sun. Red is also rising – taking market share from the achromatic colors in many parts of the world. Even though the numbers are smaller, green and beige still show up in the data, and the colors aren’t the typical shades you might expect.

North America – Colour preferences changing rapidly in the Americas

Blue appears to be moving on for North America. Its share is down 4% when compared to last year. That would put the preference for blue back to 2017 levels. Achromatic colours surged, including white, which increased in North America while declining globally, but not silver or gray, which are both down. Among the chromatic colours, red edged up 1%. Red and blue are now tied as the most popular chromatic colours.

Raw material shortages in 2021 forced automakers to make difficult choices while allocating scarce resources. That seemed to favor the larger, more popular platforms in the midst of the downturn.

https://www.basf.com/global/en/media/news-releases/2022/01/p-22-105.html