PPG Forecasts Growth in Green Automobiles in 2018, Beyond

PPG announced its automotive color trends data, noting a rise in popularity for green automobiles globally.

“While consumers are often choosing conservative colors for automobiles, such as white or black, green has historically been an incredibly popular color choice, particularly in the ‘90s,” said Jane Harrington, PPG global manager, color styling, automotive OEM coatings. “Beginning in 1999, consumer preferences shifted to more neutral options, shrinking green’s popularity each year. While green makes up a small percentage of the current overall color preferences for 2018, future trends in the automotive industry are reflecting the popularity of green in home décor and wall colors, furniture, consumer electronics and more.”

While monochromatic colors such as white, gray, silver and black continue to dominate globally, approximately two percent of SUVs in North America today is green. The color continued to have a strong presence at the 2018 North American International Auto Show, with featured applications on the Mercedes G-Class and iconic Ford Mustang Bullitt.

“Through PPG’s global color forecasting process, we noticed that complex neutrals and foliage-influenced greens continue to have a strong preference among consumers across various industries,” said Harrington. “We are seeking retreats that shield us from competing priorities and the always-on digital society around us. This is very evident in architecture as new buildings are incorporating green walls and vertical gardens, and many skyscrapers include rooftop green spaces. Consumers crave the calm and simplicity that is found in nature, and these preferences are impacting their color choices.”

“We understand that today, car colors go beyond the body and can be represented in various areas – including the car’s interior, wheel coatings and more,” said Jennifer Solcz, PPG global segment manager for wheels, industrial coatings. “Wheel coatings are becoming a focal point of individualization for car buyers, many of which are drawn toward metallics, such as bronze and rose gold, as well as vibrant multi-faceted colors and matte finishes.”

PPG’s unique position as a color leader in multiple markets enables the company to observe and translate emerging global color trends for customers’ applications, including consumer goods, automotive color, as well as residential, commercial and industrial design. The color forecast is brought to life through four color stories under the “We are” theme. These colors represent trends for the automotive model years 2021 and beyond, and are presented to automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in 2018-2019.

• With It: This color collection reflects a design aesthetic that is youthful in spirit, playful, artistic and energetic. With overtly diverse and expressive colors, the chromatic palette creates abstract glamour and implies a contrast of strength and vulnerability. Layered color effects add dynamic intensity to traditionally primary hues, represented on the car’s body, custom wheel colors or interiors;
• With Class: Centered around a contemporary version of classic elegance and refinement in our high-tech world, this theme comprises multicolored darks to express an exotic and sophisticated tone. The palette contains rich wood-inspired browns, warm sandy beiges and saturated jewel-toned reds. Metal inspired accents of copper and gold, often seen in PPG’s wheel coating applications, balance the darker shades;
• With Out: A theme that connects with a design aesthetic that emphasizes minimalism, a “less is more” approach and a connection to the environment. This palette emphasizes simplicity and peacefulness. Organic greens, mixed browns, and soft stone-inspired hues work together to replicate the natural world;
• With Spirit: This design theme addresses the rise of spirituality infused in the pursuit of community, mysticism and a fascination of the cosmos. The palette is a blend of intense, earth-toned hues with muted blue and purple shades. Authentic metal colors inspired by iron, gold and copper add a grounding element.

Because PPG’s paint colors are sold in more than 70 countries, developing color trends is a global, cross-cultural effort. Collaboration between PPG’s more than 20 color experts generates a fact-based approach to color trends and consumer preferences, resulting in a unified voice in color direction. The company’s color stylists around the world specialize in industries that include consumer electronics, architectural, automotive and aerospace. PPG experts study consumer mindsets, building material trends, wellness preferences and more to select a curated color forecast that resonates and is reflective of current consumer attitudes and spans cultures, regions and markets.