The choice of colors for our vehicles is a personal one. Most often, we see the traditional blacks and whites being selected by many car and truck owners, with reds, blues and greens also being favorites.

However, the idea of unique colors that fit the times we live in is also of interest. BASF Coatings is one of the world’s leading automotive paint and coatings manufacturers. Every year, designers from BASF’s Coatings division create a new collection of colors to inspire automotive designers around the globe, using their trend radar to identify social developments and technological advancements that are important for automotive color design.

To do so, they look at very different aspects such as fairs, conferences, blogs, industry boards. Through very intense discussions in their global team after this research phase, they translate the found trends into color concepts that are worked out into actual colors for the automotive industry in the color lab of BASF Coatings. Recent selections, ZENOMENON and EFFLORESCENCE, received prestigious Red Dot design awards for their technology.


Automotive OEM customers rely on the BASF color trends for designing automotive colors for their future models, end customers may witness the new direction on the road or in their driveways within the next three to five model years.

This year, BASF Coatings’ designers have created another unique collection of colors, under the umbrella of “Routing,” for their color trends.

“In our research and observations, we have identified the way we communicate and handle information with human or non-human intelligence as a strong driver for trend developments,” said Mark Gutjahr, global head of Automotive Color Design at BASF. “Communication is lively, ever-changing, and mutually receptive – just like colors.”

BASF Coatings experts reported that among this year’s trends are reds with intense purple shades, a shift to darker and blueish reds. The dark achromatic colors have been energized by intense color effects and fine metallic effects. There are also pastel colors, some in beige and light green tones, as well as unique intermediate tones.

Gutjahr noted that BASF’s Automotive Color Trends are increasingly incorporating aspects of sustainability. The current ROUTING trend collection also features prototype color concepts that include sustainable attributes related to the components of the color-giving layer.

Sustainable raw materials and further innovation have been integrated into the colorants, thereby adding value to OEM customers’ brands and addressing their environmental priorities, and the exploration of alternative resources will become increasingly relevant in the future.

Not surprisingly, each of the major regions – EMEA, Asia Pacific and the Americas – has its own distinctive approach.

“The regional markets are characterized by similarities and differences,” Gutjahr observed. “One of the biggest differences which we see in Asia, especially China, compared to other regions is the sheer variety of colors available. We recognize a much faster cycle of change, while more unconventional and eye-catching car colors are hitting the streets. American cars are mostly bigger and therefore need colors that match large surfaces. Also in this region, new players show beautiful, elegant colors.”

“HARBINGER’S INK, key color for EMEA, signs the deal for a direct connection from a strong black color position to a sustainable concept,” Gutjahr added. “This is a powerful color based on the awareness that our natural resources are finite. With black still making up for a high ratio in the color palette, HARBINGER’S INK introduces a distinct concept tapping alternative resources. The combination of carbon-negative and renewable components as well as biodegradable pigments create a strong black color with a unique and unseen sparkle effect.”

SCINTILLATION, the Asia Pacific key color, is a warm gray and liquid metal effect designed by a novel, low-emission basecoat technology.

“SCINTILLATION is achieved using both super fine effect pigments, and sustainable concepts, not following the familiar path,” said Gutjahr. “While the traditional automotive color wheel is transformed, the updated authentic and steady color spaces will be highly appreciated as well. People seek long-lasting values for safety and ease in the unpredictable future.”

In the Americas, HOLDING SWAY features an intense purple shade with strong blueish shift effect. Gutjahr said that the key to HOLDING SWAY is new opportunities and spaces emerge for the way people consume, communicate, and experience mobility.

“Where dual hues appear to synthesize as one, the value of transparent and cooperative energies merging to form innovative paths are symbolized,” Gutjahr noted. “In various facets of society, diverse influences come together and inspire innovative solutions for products. By creating connections and bridging opposites, new opportunities and spaces emerge for the way people consume, communicate, and experience mobility.

Gutjahr sees new opportunities for unique colors coming in the automotive industry, as new automotive companies emerge.

“The automotive industry is currently characterized by a large number of new automotive OEM players, competing with established market players,” said Gutjahr. “Here, the car color can be a significant differentiator. We predict similar behavior from buyers who are looking for new, exciting colors to represent their individuality and identity.  In very saturated markets, the product range will remain rather conservative, but more color options will be offered to appeal to new buyer groups.”