Axalta, a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, released its 68th annual Global Automotive Color Popularity Report revealing the most common automotive coloUrs on the road today are white (38%), black (19%) and gray (15%). Gray increased by two percentage points worldwide and is at a 10-year high.

Holding steady at 38% of the total global market for the last three years, white is the most frequently purchased automotive color globally for 10 consecutive years. Silver continues to decline in all regions and its popularity is now in the single digits at 9%. Black holds steady year-over-year and remains a favourite in luxury vehicles. 

Gray increased 1% to a total of 25% and remains the top color in Europe for the second year in a row. The Compact/Sport category in particular followed this gray trend, showing an increase by 5% to a full 29%. Black is more popular here than in any other region with 21% in total.

Although Red showed a 2% decrease in North America (7%), historically it is most popular in this region. Blue, at 10% of the market, is trending on all types of vehicles, with the highest usage on compact and sport vehicles.

Country-wise preferences
Asia continues to see the highest number of White vehicles on the road at 48%. The second region to trail is Africa with 46% popularity of White vehicles. China’s overall most popular colours are White and Black, representing modern and luxurious trends. Whites are shifting towards more pearlescent versions and Blacks are shifting towards more solid versions. Gray increased 3% in China, in tune with global trends.

Japan’s colour popularity showed both Blue and Red increased 1% this year. Increasing trends in green-shade Blues and green-shade Yellows are on the future outlook. South Korea shows popularity shifts in a 1% decrease in Red (6%) and a 2% increase in Blue (11%). Blue is higher here than in any other country. India’s preference for lighter shades is evident with the most Silver vehicles of any country at 32% and the lowest number of Black vehicles at 2%. South America found a 2% increase in Blue vehicles, totaling 5%. Like other regions, Silver dropped in popularity and gray increased.

Axalta says its Global Automotive Color Popularity Report draws on data from every country where consumer automobiles are produced and provides detailed production data to enable automakers to observe trends and patterns across the globe and in particular markets.

"The consumer purchasing trends reflected in the report drive our development of innovative colors for the future," said Nancy Lockhart, global product manager of color at Axalta.