BASF Introduces Multi-Ton, Distinctly Different Colour Saturation

Designers at BASF's Coatings Division, analyzing technological trends and societal changes, have transformed their findings into a collection of future color inspirations for automotive body surfaces. Developed through collaboration among four design studios in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, the 2019-20 Automotive Color Trends ACT/9 carries the hallmark of a movement shaping the future. Global color trends reflect the interaction between advancing digital innovation and evolving human needs. Rising interest in digitalization thus underscores growing acceptance of computer-based support. The result of efficiently rethinking resources enables the creation of new consumption patterns and product varieties. Multiple tones and markedly different color saturation levels demonstrate openness to advances in digitalization. Digitalization is now seen as a natural part of life, and its impact continues to grow daily.

For this reason, colors for next-generation automobiles need to have a warmer and more accessible appearance. Unconventional automotive color varieties such as yellowish tones and gold fit this trend.

Color trends reflect designers' desire to make fundamental changes. This affects not only general consumption patterns and behaviors but also personal preferences. Because many young people's views on their careers are changing, long-term employment is preferred and is now being replaced by the multifaceted lifestyle termed the 'Slash' generation. This requires flexible attitudes toward vehicle models. The Slash generation's approach leans toward flexibility and creativity by striking the right balance between work and leisure. This interaction is achieved through a series of metallic and solid colors ranging from light to dark tones. Beyond all this, many consumers and industry-focused initiatives also encourage deep reconsideration of material life cycles. BASF's Coatings Division designers combine aesthetics with sustainable solutions, transforming these demands into innovative color concepts. In Europe, where color varieties such as metallic purple have become more common, changes in societal traditions are regarded as a sign of positive sentiment. Due to the increasing importance of individuality, interest in metallic tones in beige and gold is growing. Another dimension of life in this region is shaped by the context of increasing autonomous vehicles and identifying human needs.

For this reason, a selection of color palette in Europe demonstrates an approach pursuing functionality and innovative thinking.

New awareness among residents of Asian cities, where multifaceted lifestyles are evident, forms the basis. Traditions combined with their influence on sustainable production offer a balanced and warm color palette with soothing warm and metallic tones. These tones also transcend conventional tone and surface appearances through light silver colors and warmer color ranges. In Asia Pacific, technology-friendly mindset shifts with a subtle color change toward silky natural metallic tones and dynamic colors like blues, while the more emotional face of future automotive technology emerges in dark, vivid colors such as surface metallic gray or sensual purple.

Ultimately, Asia Pacific's minimalist and familiar color palettes facilitate their application to future automobiles.

In North America, sustained interest in technology leads to a different color palette from previous years, with color effects varying in multiple tones rather than light/dark. The overall texture of the metallic effect is also softened. The new appearance of the color palette presents new understanding of human interaction with machines, mind-body unity, and the merger of consciousness with the subconscious. The combination of functionality with aesthetics continues to be emphasized. Whether creating a broad range of color options to facilitate engineering requirements for future transportation or focusing on using colorant products from environmentally friendly sources, the region's designs are built on expectations of performance and innovation. Each year, BASF's Coatings Division designers transform their findings and predictions regarding technological and societal change into a collection that will influence automotive colors over the next three to five years. They conduct comprehensive research on future trends as a foundation in developing surface, texture and color positioning. As a result, designers present global trends and developments in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia Pacific (AP) and North America (NA) regions.