Colour forecast of BASF Coatings after consultation with automobile designers: silver stays at the fore – changes through new special effects

Citation

(2004), "Colour forecast of BASF Coatings after consultation with automobile designers: silver stays at the fore – changes through new special effects", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 33 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2004.12933cab.025

Colour forecast of BASF Coatings after consultation with automobile designers: silver stays at the fore – changes through new special effects

Colour forecast of BASF Coatings after consultation with automobile designers: silver stays at the fore – changes through new special effects

Most cars in the world will continue to be silver in the next few years. The colour itself, however, will change: instead of hard and metallic, the trend is moving towards silver-white hues and special colour effects in silver hues. As a whole, “automobile clothing” is becoming more colourful, according to BASF Coatings' most current prognosis. After close consultation with the designers of all automobile manufacturers in the respective regions, BASF Coatings' colour experts – Renate Weber (Europe), Jon Hall (North America), and Eiji Fujimori (Asia-Pacific) – have presented their annual colour trend forecast for future vehicle design. Experience has shown that the predicted trends will show up in automobile design within 3-6 years from their presentation.

Europe

For Europe, Renate Weber expects new technical silver hues with a new image based on innovative special effects or soft shades. At the same time, she predicts new facets approaching white silver, a natural white, and a number of interesting grey hues. Silver white, grey, light blue, soft turquoise, and pale greenish yellow suit this trend. Renate Weber says, “Everything is very delicate, very soft, and very feminine; even male customers prefer this”. She sees the reason for the new colour schemes in people's social behaviour: “We strive for perfection, and once we have achieved it, we long for naturalness”.

“Energy and beauty” are the keywords the expert uses to summarise another major trend in Europe. Energy and fire are symbolised by yellow, orange, and red. Peace is symbolised by soft grey and green hues. Earth and the energy of growth are symbolised by beige, brown, and gold. Beauty is symbolised by bright, luminous colours. Orange, red, green, yellow, and blue are part of this trend.

Even the Europeans' desire for “privacy” will soon be reflected in automobile colours, says Renate Weber. The colours that would stand for privacy (retreat, contemplation, peace, luxury) are beige, anthracite, gray, or gold. “In times of global networking, people also long for familiarity,” explains Renate Weber. The colour hues for this trend are thus midnight blue, various nuances of green, creamy beige, sienna red, and yellow.

North America

Silver will remain dominant also in the North American region. It has, however, already passed its peak in this region as well. Though demand for silver, grey, and white hues will continue, more colourful hues will become increasingly important each year.

“The dominant position of silver will wane,” predicts color stylist Jon Hall. He presents new results of the work done in BASF Coatings' development laboratories: “We can create wonderful new metallic effects with powder.” In addition, a new high-class metallic effect was developed, which is based on new treatments of common aluminium flakes. Without the use of the conventional method of highly developed layering to create light interference, a somewhat smoother, holographic colour effect has arisen. “We believe that this special effect can have the same universal attractiveness as white mica hues and extremely iridescent hues did in the past,” explains Hall.

In addition to glitter effects and new silver and white hues, Jon Hall sees blue as continuing to be a growing trend for North America. Rich glitter effects are particularly important here. Green continues to show a downward trend, except in the case of hues that tend toward black. For green, Hall suggests a nuance of blue to make the colour attractive again.

Red has probably reached its low point in North America. Hall hopes that new pigments that create a bluer red will contribute to new popularity.

Red, blue, copper, and grey hues that tend toward black have the hard metallic shine of American trucks or a mysterious appearance. Their attractiveness is based on neutrality since these colours have a neutrality similar to black.

Asia/Pacific

Eiji Fujimori has four concepts for his colour prognosis for the Asia-Pacific region: optimism, wooded landscape, nature of the future, and energy.

Optimism is reflected in a bright, colourful palette. Green, beige, and brown remind you of a wooded landscape as a symbol of relaxation. Silver and white hues and metallic effects stand for the “nature of the future.” The keyword “energy” comprises sensual and mysterious colours such as red or black hues.