Auto Refinish Market Must Evolve

The auto refinish market is facing many challenges as technological advancements, evolving consumer preferences and environmental considerations push manufacturers to develop advanced products to meet these needs. As the automotive industry shifts toward e-vehicles and self-driving vehicles, the refinish market must stay ahead of the curve to develop cutting-edge refinish products.

Innovation is driving the market for auto refinish technologies. Advanced coatings, including waterborne and high-performance finishes, are increasingly being used.

Technological advancements in application methods, such as robotics and automation, are improving efficiency and precision. These innovations help reduce waste and labor costs, benefiting both refinishing shops and consumers. While these innovations are positive for the market, it has created a shortage of skilled labor.

“Many auto refinishers are experiencing a labor crunch, said Joel Johnson, vice president, Automotive Refinish Coatings, BASF. “Auto body shops, like most other industries, are having trouble hiring and retaining talented workers. Late-career professionals are leaving the industry, while fewer new people are coming in. At the same time, as the complexity of vehicles increases, so does the cost to repair. That puts pressure on auto body shops to remain current with repair procedures and perform with a high level of efficiency to stay profitable.

“BASF is trying to increase the labor pipeline by sponsoring programs such as WorldSkills, Operative Talent, ‘Techs for Tomorrow,’ and the ‘Talent for Tomorrow Award’ to get more motivated, well-trained people to join the refinish industry.”

Axalta announced the launch of Axalta Irus Scan, its latest spectrophotometer for refinish customers. This new technology scientifically measures paint color on a vehicle to provide accurate color matches in waterborne and solventborne basecoat technologies. Axalta Irus Scan now joins the simple, three-step Axalta Irus digital color management process as the first step of: Scan – Match – Mix.

PPG announced a partnership with software firm Flashback Forward, Inc. to offer FinalQC, a mobile quality control application designed to enhance efficiency for the collision repair industry.

“This collaboration aims to transform the way collision shops operate, enhancing quality, efficiency and customer satisfaction,” said Tom Maziarz, PPG vice president, Americas, Automotive Refinish. “FinalQC standardizes quality verification, empowering collision shops to deliver consistent, high-quality repairs while minimizing errors and rework.”