PPG Industries has released its annual
automotive color popularity data, show-
ing that white continues to be the most
popular car color globally based on 2014
automotive build data.
According to PPG’s global data, white
ranked first (up 3 percent from last year
to 28 percent), followed by black ( 18 per-
cent), and silver and gray tied for third
( 13 percent each). Silver’s popularity con-
tinues to decrease across the globe, drop-
ping seven percent over the last two years.
“Car manufacturers across the world
are continually seeking new ways to cre-
ate a unique appearance for models and
vehicle brands. As color selection takes
place two or three years in advance of a
model year, it is important for auto mak-
ers to combine color popularity with
global consumer trends,” said Jane E.
Harrington, PPG manager, color styling,
automotive OEM (original equipment
manufacturer) coatings. “Today, auto-
motive manufacturers can choose from a
broad array of colors as well as a wide
assortment of variations of conservative
hues such as white, silver, black and gray,
and distinct effects such as micas, glass
flakes, fine bright aluminum and hue-
shifting pigments.”
Regional trend highlights from the
2014 data include:
• In North America, white remains
most popular ( 23 percent), followed
by black ( 18 percent), gray ( 16 per-
cent) and silver ( 15 percent).
• In South America, silver and white
lead in popularity ( 32 percent each),
followed by black ( 13 percent), gray
(11 percent), red ( 8 percent) and
blue (2 percent).
• In Europe, white remains most popular ( 25 percent), followed by black ( 15
percent) and gray ( 14 percent), and
natural shades such as golds, beiges,
yellows, oranges and browns continue
to grow in popularity ( 12 percent).
• In Asia Pacific markets, white re-
mains most popular ( 31 percent),
Across North American vehicle types
manufactured in 2014, PPG found that:
• Ten percent of automobiles were
coated in natural hues such as golds,
beiges, yellows, oranges and browns.
Browns in particular are growing in
popularity in midsize and sport util-
ity vehicle (SUV) models.
•Sports models continue to be the
most likely to feature red, blue or
green shades. All three colors overtook gray and silver as more popular
colors for sports models.
• Luxury vehicles, 24 percent of which
were white in 2014, are most likely
to feature effect finishes such as metallic or pearl tri-coat.
Looking to 2015 models, Harrington
said PPG believes drivers will continue
to see an increase in natural tones such
as coppers, oranges and browns. New
models also may be influenced by metal
tones such as bronze, pewter and rose
gold, which have had a significant influence across fashion, jewelry, furniture
and industrial design in recent years. In
addition, consumers will have access to
the same high-definition experience they
now readily consume across entertainment platforms, with access to “
high-depth” color – a deeper, richer version of
color – especially in 2015 models that offer blues, reds and yellows.
In response to continued demand for
color innovation in automotive coatings,
PPG introduced 63 exterior shades to manufacturers for consideration in styling 2017-
2018 model year vehicles. Titled “Elements,”
the collection includes four palettes:
Good Life captures the harmony between man-made and natural elements,
emphasizing a spirit of respect for nature
and simplicity, and enabling drivers to discover their best balance with life. The palette includes earth tones, golden yellows,
weathered browns and foliage greens.
I’m Pulse reflects the movement of
consumers to take control of design
through their connections via social me-
dia and the growing popularity of the
“maker” movement. The palette includes
bold bright hues, opaque pastels and ur-
ban neutrals.
Co-Leidescope reflects the growing
global eclecticism that is inclusive of
ethnicities and cultures. The palette includes spicy-hot reds, gemstone greens,
plum and indigo blues that create a bohemian flare.
Introsense represents a new direction
in minimalistic styling that blends clean,
pared-down designs with a quiet nature.
The palette includes pale-washed blues,
greens, corals and purples combined with
light, nuanced neutrals.
PPG engages a network of more than
25 color experts with a focus on automotive, architectural, aerospace and
consumer-products markets. These specialists analyze design trends, consumer
preferences and priorities across regional,
cultural and global markets to determine
factors that will influence future color
choices. The new colors and palettes introduced this year for automotive manufacturers reflect developments across
these markets and influences.
U.S. Green Building Council
Announces Extension of
LEED 2009
The U.S. Green Building Council
(USGBC) will allow LEED users to regis-
ter projects under the LEED 2009 rating
system until Oct. 31, 2016. The original
date for LEED 2009 registration to close
was June 15, 2015. Extending to October
2016 gives LEED users and members of
the green building industry additional
time to prepare for LEED v4, the lat-
est version of LEED, which features in-
creased rigor and multiple updates.
“When USGBC launched LEED v4
last year, we set out with one goal in mind
– to raise the bar in a way that challenges
the building industry to reach higher than
PPG Data Shows White Continues to
Dominate as Most Popular Global Vehicle Color
