A Primordial Soup of New Vehicle Colors

As part of its annual color-trends research for carmakers, BASF Corp.’s automotive business has identified 65 new color variants that could start appearing in vehicles by 2020.

The concept colors were developed in conjunction with global trends in fashion, architecture and textiles, as well as economic, technological and societal shifts. BASF says the latter includes the continued migration of young people into cities, the rising popularity of podcasts and the polarized political climate.

The supplier expects metallic blues, silver and white to become more popular in coming years. It also is developing coatings that work with emerging lightweight materials, and pigments to keep vehicle interiors cooler.

BASF’s top three color choices for future vehicles in North America are a deep red “Primordial Soup,” metallic silver “Raingarden” and a black variant called “Aerialist Wish.”

The company notes that Primordial Soup can look lighter or darker depending on where a person is standing, while Raingarden’s silver transitions from a greenish-yellow to a blue depending on where it's seen on the car body. Aerialist Wish, which shifts from dark black to a silvery-blue, was influenced by increasing urban development.

Topping the list for future European vehicles is “ASMR Blue.” BASF describes the hue as “artificial yet appealing,” connecting the physical and virtual worlds.

For Asia, the company predicts that blue-green hues and a metallic sand-beige color will be popular on upcoming models. These reflect the region’s sense of optimism in the face of economic challenges, according to BASF.