Latin America. Every year, the design team of BASF's Automotive Paints division develops a new color palette to inspire global vehicle designers.
On this occasion, artificial intelligence played a pivotal role in the creation of BASF's "On Volude" collection of Automotive Color Trends for 2023-2024.
When analyzing the trends, BASF's designers identified the need to update the colors, considering that classic car colors had come to an end. This evolution resulted in an unconventional color palette that reflects a positive mood and a preference for lighter, more expressive tones.
The "On Volude" collection is characterized by offering exciting colors while promoting sustainability and functionality. As automakers take inspiration from this collection to design future models, these new trends are expected to be reflected on the streets and highways in the next three to five years.
In the color palette for the South American region, the shade "GRAÇA CALMA" stands out. This is a warm solid grey, devoid of metallic elements, which is characterised by its remarkable pastel texture.
This color communicates a search for well-being and balance, with an optimistic and resilient outlook towards the future. The non-metallic texture gives it a distinctive appearance, moving away from the common use of silver and metallic tones in the region. According to the company, the desaturated shade adds a particular elegance to this palette.
On the other hand, and depending on the North American market, the Americas palette seeks optimism and divergence that celebrate the possibilities in all modes of art and design.
The functionality of color spaces has been transformed into an ever-evolving emotional experience. This collection offers soft colors, clean textures, and subtle nuances that point to short- and long-term goals. Colors in the Americas not only influence vehicle cooling through solar reflectance, but also integrate with sensor-based approaches to mobility and explore new strategies in sustainable raw material sourcing.
"In this year's collection, pastel and mid-shades slanted to red are replaced by restorative effects in yellow and green that suggest renewal," explains Liz Hoffman, adding, "The connection complements both grounded color spaces and otherworldly getaways. It demonstrates the evolution of mindset in automotive design."
