International. PPG's automotive color trend data for 2019 shows an increase in blue cars. With a consistent 8% of global color popularity data, blue reflects consumers' desire for adventure, relaxation, and reliability.
Europe saw the highest number of consumers choosing blue for their car in 2019, with a peak of 11%, up one percent from last year. Nearby, in North America, blue accounts for 10% of automotive constructions, the highest next to neutral tones. In Asia Pacific, 7% of consumers chose blue, and South America only had 2% blue cars.
While blue cars are anticipated to increase over the next four years, the hue offers many nuanced shades that can be transformed with different pigment effects, fine or thick metal flakes, luminous micas, and glossy glass flakes. Chromatic blues with slight shades of red or green are already appearing in the automotive market and will continue to evolve in the coming years.
"Now more than ever, consumers want to make a statement, whether it's through their color choices or the brands they buy," said Jane Harrington, PPG manager, color design, OEM coatings for automobiles. "We see bolder colors coming back in many consumer segments. The versatility of automotive blues, from light azure blue to rich indigo, allows consumers to make a statement, while ensuring that the color maintains a certain level of practicality."
Consumers not only choose blue tones in their cars, but also gravitate toward color in their homes, electronics, and automotive accents. The PPG paint brand earlier this year announced its 2020 Color of the Year, Chinese porcelain (PPG1160-6), a blend of cobalt and changing blue ink that imparts tranquility, hope and a restful sleep, precious products in a restless world.
Automotive color trends embody this continued evolution and will continue to appear in the market throughout 2023 in the following three themes:
- On the Move: a trending theme that represents joyful creativity and unexpected color combinations. This includes a saturated spectrum with layered dye effects that express high-energy mobility.
- At the Core: a balanced design theme based on simplicity and well-being. The palette contains subtle ceramic tones with a nostalgic influence. Key shades include serene blues and organic greens that represent responsibility and conscious consumption.
- In Know: A Theme That Connects Nature with Technology, this palette includes neutral tones combined with authentic gold and coppery tones inspired by metal that are muted and earthy. Shades of raw gemstones are an accent to the palette.
