AXALTA’S 2025 GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE COLOUR REPORT
Axalta, a leading global coatings company, has released its 73rd annual Global Automotive Colour Popularity Report. The report offers an updated look at the landscape of automotive colour in 2025, in which once again, white, grey, and black dominated. First published in 1953, Axalta’s annual Colour Popularity Report is the automotive industry’s longest running and most comprehensive colour account.
Axalta’s 2025 Global Automotive Colour Popularity Report revealed steady movement rather than dramatic shifts, with neutrals continuing to dominate the market. White remains the leading colour at 29% followed by black at 23% and grey at 22%, illustrating ongoing preferences for clean, timeless design.
Silver lost momentum at 7%, while blue maintained 6%, affirming its position as the strongest chromatic colour and signalling continued interest in subtle, chromatic tones.
Red, brown/beige, green, and yellow/gold remain smaller but steady contributors to the global palette.
“This year’s report reveals how enduring neutrals continue to anchor the global palette, even as interest rises in finishes that bring greater depth, movement, and individuality to vehicle styling,” said Dr. Lei Qiao, Vice President – Technology, Mobility Coatings at Axalta. “Overall, the 2025 landscape reflects a market anchored in simplicity yet increasingly open to refined colour expression and contemporary finishes.”
The report also captures slight changes in colour popularity based on geography:
North America: White leads at 31% a slight decrease from 2024 as chromatic colours rise in popularity. Drivers in North America increasingly choose bolder colours, with blue at 10% and red at 7% reflecting a broader cultural shift toward customisation and standout styling.
South America: White leads at 35% valued for practicality and performance in warmer climates. Silver increased to 14% and blue to 7%, signalling continued growing interest in modern, refined tones. Grey at 23% and red at 4% round out a palette trending toward lighter, fresher expressions.
Europe: Grey dominates at 26%, increasing slightly from 2024 as the region continues to favour refined, understated design. White at 25% and black at 22% maintain their strong presence, creating a palette rooted in sophistication and harmonising with Europe’s sleek, modern vehicle styling.
Asia: Asia continues shifting toward expressive colour, with yellow/gold rising to 4%, green growing to 3%, and standout shades like orange and purple increasing to 2%. In a rapidly expanding EV market, bold, saturated hues help brands build identity and stand out, even as black increases to 26% across the region.
“Our proprietary resin chemistry enables Axalta to develop and deliver an expansive palette that meets the wide variety of colours demanded by different customers, cultures and climates, while at the same time ensuring the durability, performance and sustainability of the coating,” said Dr. Robert Roop, SVP and Chief Technology Officer at Axalta.
Each year, Axalta analyses automotive build data from leading vehicle production regions and major markets around the world to deliver global colour popularity rankings, regional trends, and an indicator of current market preferences. The report highlights the top 10 most popular automotive colour spaces and provides insight into how colour preferences continue to evolve across global markets.
