Axalta Coating Systems, the global manufacturer of automotive coatings and the parent company of the Cromax, Standox and Spies Hecker brands, has published its annual automotive colour popularity report for 2013.

The report, produced since 1953, is the most comprehensive in the industry and provides statistics for colours of new cars sold worldwide. It states that on a global basis white strengthened its position as the most popular automotive colour among consumers worldwide in 2013, growing in popularity by six percentage points over the previous year. 22% of vehicles were solid white and 7% were pearl white. Black was the second most popular colour globally, with 20% of sales. Silver at 15% and grey at 12% declined in popularity. Low in popularity were green, orange, and purple.

The European picture saw white increased 5% in 2013 to capture 29% of new car sales. Black accounted for 21% but was down on its 2012 share. Grey and silver also declined in popularity. 

The comprehensive report is also able to identify trends in key countries. It thus, for example, shows that silver was the most popular new car colour in India accounting for 30% of new car sales.

This wealth of knowledge on OEM colour trends means Axalta’s three global refinish brands, Cromax, Spies Hecker and Standox, are able to react quickly to market needs. New refinish colour formulas are created very speedily and delivered to bodyshops via innovative colour matching tools.