Clinton Township, Michigan, USA – 8 January 2019: Axalta (NYSE: AXTA) today 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 percent, 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 (5%), Asia (3%), South Korea and Africa (both 2%). Grey gained ground in Africa (3%) and Europe (2%). 

"We have witnessed an emerging trend toward warmer shades along with colour combinations with black to challenge white's position," said Nancy Lockhart, Axalta Global Colour Marketing Manager. "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."

Click here to access Axalta's full Color Popularity Report. 

Regional highlights from the 2018 report include:

• Asia: Even with a one percent drop, yellow/gold is most popular worldwide in India and China. Blue is being reimagined in Japan as an ecological friendly shade. In Korea, black increased two percent.
• Europe: Europe is experiencing an upward trend of grey with a two percent increase.
• North America: Brown/beige experienced a two percent year-over-year increase; that is the biggest gain for any region.
• Russia: The most popular region for brown/beige at nine percent, Russia is followed by China at seven percent. 
• South America: Red decreased one point to eight percent making this region second only to North America (9%). 
• South Africa: Orange shows an increase from 2017, and 3.6 percent of all vehicles fall into the "Others" category.

First published in 1953, Axalta's report is the automotive industry's longest running and most comprehensive colour account. Compiled and designed by Axalta's global colour experts, the report gives automotive OEMs captivating insights into consumer preferences aiding them in making informed decisions on auto colours.

According to Annie You, Axalta OEM Colour Designer – China, Axalta customers value the annual report and some of the understated trends it unveils. "In China, white may have peaked in 2017 at 62 percent," she said. "This year, it is 58 percent, still well above any other region."

Elke Dirks, Axalta OEM Colour Designer – Europe, Middle East, Africa, points out a regional preference for grey. "For the first time in the history of our reporting, grey ranks second in the region making it a major player in the neutrals space," she said. 

About Axalta

Axalta is a leading global company focused solely on coatings and providing customers with innovative, colourful, beautiful and sustainable solutions. From light OEM vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish applications to electric motors, buildings and pipelines, our coatings are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enable the materials we coat to last longer. With more than 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, the 14,000 people of Axalta continue to find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in 130 countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems and technology. For more information visit www.axalta.co.uk and follow us @Axalta on Twitter and on LinkedIn.