According to Axalta’s latest, already 73rd annual report on the global popularity of automotive colors, during 2025 the market was still dominated by neutral tones, while dramatic turns in trends were absent. The Global Automotive Color Popularity Report shows that white has maintained its leading position with a global share of 29%, followed by black with 23% and gray with 22%. However, there has been a modest increase in the popularity of certain “more vibrant” colors.
On the other hand, silver has seen a decline in popularity and now occupies 7% of the market. Blue color, with a share of 6%, consolidated its status as the most popular color option. Other colors, such as red, brown, green and yellow, kept small but stable shares in the global palette.
Regional differences
Analysis by region reveals specific changes in customer preferences. In North America, white color leads with 31%, but it recorded a slight decrease compared to the previous year due to the strengthening of chromatic colors such as blue (10%) and red (7%). In contrast, gray dominates in Europe with a 26% share, which reflects a preference for refined and subtle designs that are aligned with the modern aesthetics of European vehicles.
South America shows a strong preference for white, primarily due to practicality in warmer climates, and the growth of silver at 14% in that region is also interesting. At the same time, the Asian market, driven by the rapid expansion of the electric vehicle sector, is increasingly turning to expressive colors. Thus, yellow and gold register a growth of 4%, while saturated shades such as orange and purple help brands in building a visual identity.
Question and technologies
Axalta officials point out that these trends are the result of a combination of cultural influences, climatic conditions and technological progress. dr. Lei Qiaovice president for technology, emphasized that the market remains anchored in simplicity, but at the same time is opening up to modern finishes. Technological developments enable manufacturers to respond to these demands without compromising on coating quality.
Dr. Robert Roopthe company’s chief technology officer, explained that advanced resin chemistry enables the development of a wide range of colors that meet different aesthetic requirements, but also strict standards of durability and sustainability.
