PPG explores refinish colour trends

PPG’s annual automotive colour popularity data shows that consumers continue to prefer white and neutral shades for their car finish. In 2016, more than 75 per cent of vehicles built globally were white, black, grey or silver. Within Europe white was still the top choice, accounting for 33 per cent of new cars.

When looking into colour choice by market and vehicle type, it showed a variety of colour selections. Metallic colours were extremely popular with American & European men, while women from these markets preferred pearlescent effects on their cars.

PPG predicts that in 2017 – 18 more blue cars will be driving away from showrooms, as this will become a popular refinish colour. Jane Harrington, PPG colour styling manager for automotive OEM coatings, commented: “In our 2016 colour popularity data, blue increased by 3% on luxury, midsize and compact cars. Blue is a very versatile colour for the automotive market, because subtle shifts in hue, chroma and flake appearance of a blue coating can do a lot to embrace a vehicles style or distinguish a brand”. PPG colour experts are excited to see if this colour prediction will be proven correct in the upcoming year.