Latest Colour Trends in the Automotive Industry

The industry continues to see the need to develop ‘natural’ colours with an underlying ‘sustainable’ theme.

Firstly there is a requirement for saturated transparent colours which are very clean that give the impression of looking into deep clear water. Then there are brilliant light clean colours which can create the effects seen in the summer sky. ‘Back to basics’ is a feature of sustainability and relevant colours are beige and brown tones. Re-creating old body colours in new technologies is seen as a growing trend. ‘Expresso’ and hot chocolate browns being important colours for exterior paint finishes. In fact pink, brown and violet will stay in the colour palette for the foreseeable future.

Crushed ice effects are of growing interest, especially ice blue effects for interior uses. These effects are currently not easy to produce using known pigments and paint technology.

Furthermore, there is more than a passing interest in colours that glow bright at night for easier recognition and for safety. This could give a significant marketing advantage in this more responsible world. In conclusion, the desire to achieve ‘bionic’ effect’s for example the ‘lotus effect’ which refers to properties of very high water repellency and resulting self-cleaning properties linked with coloured pigmentation is seen as important for the future. In this respect high gloss coatings are seen to continue their domination and the current trend with matte topcoats will decline.