White is Still King in Global Automotive Trends

As leader in automotive colour, PPG Automotive Refinish EMEA gathered data from around the world to show which colours were used on new-build vehicles in 2018. This information is available globally, by region and for some specific countries.

Global Trends

The study on global trends showed that 39% of 2018 vehicles were painted in white, which made it the most popular colour worldwide with a 2% increase from the previous year. Black continued to place second keeping the same percentage since 2017.

In total, achromatic (black, white, grey, silver) colours accounted for 78% of new vehicles.

2018 Global Color Trend Popularity

European Trends

In Europe in 2018, the second highest colour was grey. This appears to continue in 2019 since many of the car shows are presenting solid grey colours on their show vehicles. Black also continued to be strong and blue was above the 7% global average. Gray, black and blue increase 1% while silver and natural decrease from the previous year.

Global Color Trend Popularity by Region

Country Trends

Nobody can accuse every country in Europe as being the same. This is also true of colour choice.
White dominated in France and Italy while black was number one in Germany. Spain, Italy and UK favoured grey more than other countries and red was more popular in the UK than in other countries.

Europe Color Popularity by Country

Year Trends

The achromatic colors (black, white, gray, silver) have had a great presence in Europe the last 5 years. Silver, gray and white have maintained the same percentage since 2017, while black has increased progressively since 2016.

In Europe from 2014 to 2018 the lowest colour has been green and others.

Europe Color Popularity 2014-2018