CMF Color | 2024 BASF Automotive OEM Coating Color Report: Niche Warm Tones on the Rise

One of the most captivating colors Gray spans an exceptionally broad spectrum—from cool metallic tones to warm earthy hues—possessing remarkable depth and complexity that delivers unexpectedly vibrant, tactile qualities. According to the BASF Color Report, gray’s popularity in the Americas market has risen significantly, now commanding nearly 20% market share. In comparison, black declined by two percentage points versus 2023, while white dropped even more sharply—by five percentage points. 03 Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) Market Achromatic color families continue steady growth Beige gains traction In the EMEA market, achromatic colors’ share rose steadily from 72% in 2021 to nearly 80% in 2024, underscoring growing appeal of neutral tones. White remains the most popular CMF color, with gray ranking second. Notably, beige is gaining increasing favor—its market share has nearly doubled. 04 Asia-Pacific Market Black dominates; yellow surges In the Asia-Pacific market, 83% of consumers still prefer achromatic colors for their vehicles, with black’s popularity rising by 2%, further reinforcing its association with elegance. By contrast, white’s appeal declined by over 2%. Meanwhile, chromatic colors—especially yellow—are gaining momentum. Soft yellow tones such as grayish-yellow and pale yellow are leading market trends. These hues resonate deeply with contemporary themes like harmonious coexistence between AI and humanity, and sustainability—particularly evident in electric vehicle design. Collectively, these colors reflect a growing preference for harmonious, luminous palettes. Chinese Market Growing affinity for gray, yellow, and black China’s fondness for white is gradually waning, while expressive, modern hues gain increasing favor. As drivers place greater emphasis on fashion and personalization, gray, yellow, and black have become especially popular.

CMF Color | BASF Launches 2025–2026 Automotive Color Trend Report

Global automakers can leverage BASF Coatings’ insights into these color trends to begin planning future designs. Some of these colors are expected to enter mass production as early as two years from now. Among the 45 colors featured in this year’s BASF Drive Series, BASF Coatings’ color experts highlighted key regional shades—each reflecting distinctive cultural and technological shifts: 01 Asia-Pacific Market Magnetar Silver: A Calm Surface Amid Accelerated Innovation Magnetar Silver is a warm-toned silver with brilliant white highlights and a liquid-metal sheen across its surface. It precisely captures the region’s duality: relentless innovation drive on one hand, and a profound yearning for tranquility and clarity on the other. Through advanced dual-layer coating technology, Magnetar Silver bridges physical and digital dimensions, delivering a serene yet expressive surface texture. Chiharu Matsubara, Head of Automotive Color Design, BASF Asia-Pacific, stated: “Our inspiration stems from the ongoing regional discourse around ‘innovation fatigue.’ Magnetar Silver creates a quiet, expressive finish—a subtle space where innovation operates invisibly, like an elephant in the room, allowing design itself to redefine the future.” 02 Chinese Market Nocturne Blue: A Symphony of Sight and Sound Nocturne Blue is more than just a color—it is an experience. Crafted for connoisseurs of refined taste, it exudes profound depth, embodying elegance and sophistication. The essence of Nocturne Blue lies in its exquisite, cutting-edge multi-angle color-shifting effect enabled by innovative materials. This captivating transformation—from diamond-like brilliance to nocturnal depth—tells a compelling story of light and shadow. Like a restrained yet vital classical composition, it conceals tremendous energy beneath serene stillness, delivering powerful emotional resonance and aesthetic impact. 03 Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) Market Frontier Blue: Dimensional Fluidity through Expansive Blues Frontier Blue is a vivid blue formulated using premium interference pigments, shimmering with green and purple undertones. Inspired by geometric abstractionism, this color challenges visual perception through multidimensional surface experiences, redefining notions of depth and spatial dimension. Mark Gutjahr, Global Head of Automotive Color Design at BASF, commented: “We observe that converging dynamic forces—including climate change and social fragmentation—are generating fissures—both real and symbolic—that are reshaping societal norms.”

Axalta Sees Shift in Automotive Colors Toward Softer Hues

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Axalta Coating Systems forecasts a trend toward softer pastels and deeper tones in automotive colors through 2027. While traditional colors persist, they will utilize specialized finishes to enhance brand differentiation.

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