• Grey continues to gain popularity in mobility markets around the world
• White vehicles hold the most interest but show declines in major markets
• Colourful shades of blue have increased 1% since last year

14 January, 2022 – Axalta (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, released its 69th annual Global Automotive Color Popularity Report revealing most cars on today’s roads are white (35%), black (19%) and grey (19%). Grey increased by four percentage points worldwide. The results of Axalta’s Global Automotive Color Popularity Report are tabulated on Axalta’s analysis of 2021 automotive build data in major markets and are an indicator of current market trends.

White vehicles have been found in the most abundance on the roads since 2011 worldwide, with Asia leading in white vehicle builds. Overall, the popularity of white hit a long-term high of 39% in 2017 and has seen declines in several regions each year since. This year, white declined three percentage points, largely due to a decrease seen in all regions, especially China, with a 7% decrease.

For the third year in a row, Europe is the only major region to report grey as the most popular colour at 27%. Silver is most popular in South America as it ranks second place with 23% usage. Black is most found in Europe at 22% and continues to lead in the luxury segment. North America has the most amount of new red cars on the road at 8%.

This year proved to be challenging in the automotive market due to the impact of the semiconductor chip shortages affecting automotive builds. “Consumer demand is expected to showcase trends in upcoming automotive colour popularity,” said Nancy Lockhart, global product manager of colour at Axalta.

Axalta began reporting on the industry’s coatings colour in 1953 and continues to report on colour trends and colour preferences. In addition, colour forecasts are reported in Axalta’s global annual colour trend forecast. The future landscape of automotive colour continues to change as vehicle and consumer preferences evolve. Axalta designs conceptual colours that are aesthetically and functionally beneficial to the vehicle surfaces. For more information, visit the company’s annual Global Automotive Color Popularity Report, Color Trend Report and Consumer Preferences Survey. Prior years’ reports can be found here.

About Spies Hecker

Spies Hecker, a global refinish coating brand from Axalta, develops optimum and practical paint system solutions that make bodyshop work easier and more efficient. Originally from Cologne, Germany, and with over 135 years of success behind it, Spies Hecker’s high-quality product systems, customised service and tailored training demonstrate its partnership with the refinish industry. The paint brand is one of the world’s leading vehicle refinish brands and is available in over 75 countries worldwide.

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