Axalta’s 65th Annual Global Automotive 2017 Color Popularity Report Reveals White as Number One Color Choice Worldwide

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE: AXTA) today released the findings of its
65th annual Global Automotive Color Popularity Report, which shows white
as the worldwide leader in consumer vehicle color choice in 2017,
followed by black in second place at 16 percent, and gray and silver
tied in third place for the second consecutive year at 11 percent.

Axalta’s 2017 Color Popularity report also found:

• Worldwide: Building on white’s number one position, a trend has
  developed of pearl colors sparkling on luxury vehicles. White pearl
  hues increased four percent in 2017.
• Africa: Up three percentage points, gray enters double digits
  at 11 percent.
• Asia: White dominates and is the choice on 52 percent of
  vehicles sold in the region. China has the highest usage of white
  anywhere at 62 percent. Japan uses more pearlescent white hues at 28
  percent.
• Europe: At 20 percent, gray is more popular in Europe than in
  any other region.
• North America: Blue is gaining popularity, especially in the
  compact/sport segment where it rose six percentage points to total 16
  percent.
• Russia: The top color, white, increased from 28 to 32 percent,
  while silver is also up three percentage points.
• South America: Gray is the rising star in South America moving
  from eight percent to 11 percent.

“With its modern appeal, white continues to be the top seller
worldwide,” said Nancy Lockhart, Axalta Global Color Marketing Manager.
“Pearlescent whites gained four percent in popularity this year as this
multi-coat color is used on all segments and has the highest usage in
Japan. Overall, light and bright colors continue to gain strength as
light gray and light to medium shades of blue have increased interest in
the market."

Published annually since 1953, Axalta’s report is the automotive
industry’s longest running and most comprehensive color account. It’s is
compiled and designed by Axalta’s color experts around the globe to
provide OEMs fascinating and relevant insights into consumer preferences
to help them make informed color decisions.

“Automotive color evolves over time,” says Elke Dirks, Axalta Automotive
OEM Color Designer, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Recently, blue has
been trending in various versions from highly chromatic shades to light
metallic colors, and gray has been on the rise as the next competing
neutral.”

“White is the undisputed number one, but the story does not end there,”
said Annie You, Axalta OEM Color Designer, China. “Our customers value
the subtle trends the report unveils. For instance, buyers in India
prefer silver more than any other region at an amazing 30 percent.
Overall, more white vehicles are produced in China than any other
region, of which 47 percent are solid white, and 15 percent pearl white.”

“Axalta’s annual color initiatives, which include this Popularity
Report, our annual Color Collection and the Automotive Color of the Year
are beneficial to car manufacturers who are interested in using these
insights to innovate,” said Lockhart. “In addition, Axalta has more than
150 years of expertise with an international team of designers and
scientists that are solely focused on the fusion of technology and
design.”

For more information on Axalta’s Global Automotive 2017 Color Popularity
Report, please visit axaltacs.com/color.

About Axalta Coating Systems

Axalta is a leading global company focused solely on coatings and
providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable
solutions. From light OEM vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish
applications to electric motors, buildings and pipelines, our coatings
are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enable the
materials we coat to last longer. With more than 150 years of experience
in the coatings industry, the approximately 13,300 people of Axalta
continue to find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in 130
countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems
and technology. For more information visit axalta.com
and follow us @Axalta on Twitter
and on LinkedIn.

Contacts

Axalta Coating Systems
John Wray
D +1 586 789 7463
[email protected]
axaltacoatingsystems.com