Axalta Coating Systems Presents 2017 Automotive Colour Collection

Axalta Coating Systems has unveiled its range of automotive colors for 2017 to European car manufacturers. It “Color_gen” range offers light vehicle OEMs an insight into major trends across the globe when it comes to automotive colours that are likely to dominate the market in the model years 2020/2021.

This colour collection will complement Axalta’s Automotive Colour Popularity Report and the company’s choice of Gallant Grey as the Automotive Color of the Year for 2017.

Based on their preferences, Axalta identified three key target groups for car manufacturers. Customers belonging to these target groups make different purchase decisions with regard to automotive style, brand and colour. Taking all three factors into account will help OEMs to understand customer colour decisions in the previous year, the latest trending colours, and an idea of which colours are likely to dominate the automotive market in the future.
16 to 35 year-olds
The GenNext demographic comprising 16 to 35 year-olds will possibly account for at least half of the working population by 2020. This group is likely to consider cars as lifestyle objects and will be inclined to prefer colors ranging from ceramic-like, solid pastels to subdued, natural-looking colours, like terracotta, olive and bright colours for practical, functional vehicles.

36 to 55 year-olds
The GenHere&Now refers to customers from 36 to 55 who are at the peak of their career and lead very busy lives. They would prefer intense, mid-range colours for family people and unusual, fashionable metallics for the sporty singletons. “Double income – no kids couples” would prefer a refined palette of chromatic colours like black, grey, silver, and effect white.

Over 55 year-olds
GenLux comprising those over 55 years of age is the most important group of car buyers as they have more time and money and are highly quality conscious. They would opt for premium effect colours, glass flakes and solid metallic variants of classic colours like burgundy and variations of British Racing Green.

Commenting on the differences between the individual groups, Elke Dirks, Axalta’s Colour Designer for Automotive OEM Coatings in Europe, Middle East and Africa, explained, “While Axalta’s various comprehensive colour insight initiatives track global automotive colour trends, the Color_gen concept considers the behaviour and tastes of different car buyer target groups. Every generation is exposed to different influences, so their lifestyles, ambitions and choices vary,”