White tops popularity report again
Axalta has released its 66th annual Global Automotive Color Popularity Report, which shows white as the global leader in consumer vehicle colour choice in 2018.
At an astounding 38%, white held its top spot with a significant gap ahead of second-place black (18%) and a third-place tie between silver and grey (12%).
Regionally, black and grey saw significant increases in notable areas. Black jumped in China (five per cent), Asia (three per cent), South Korea and Africa (both two per cent). Grey gained ground in Africa (three per cent) and Europe (two per cent).
Nancy Lockhart, Axalta global colour marketing manager, said, ‘We have witnessed an emerging trend toward warmer shades along with colour combinations with black to challenge white’s position. Although neutral spaces are the headliners, there is an indication of a return to colour to change the automotive landscape. Blue is most popular outside the neutrals and holding strong at seven percent of the market, increases of orange and bronze are popping up and gaining interest.’
Regional highlights from the 2018 report reveal that in Asia, even with a one per cent drop, yellow/gold is most popular worldwide in India and China, while blue is being reimagined in Japan as an ecological friendly shade. In Korea, black increased two per cent.
Europe is experiencing an upward trend of grey with a two per cent increase, while in North America brown/beige experienced a two per cent year-over-year increase; that is the biggest gain for any region.
Russia is the most popular region for brown/beige at nine per cent, while in South America red decreased one point to eight per cent making this region second only to North America. In South Africa, orange showed an increase from 2017, and 3.6% of all vehicles fall into the ‘others’ category.
