Axalta Announces Orange ‘Solar Boost’ as its 2026 Global Automotive Color of the Year
Rhea-AI Summary
Axalta (NYSE: AXTA) on Jan 13, 2026 named Solar Boost its 2026 Global Automotive Color of the Year, a warm, champagne-flaked orange designed for modern vehicles.
Axalta says Solar Boost targets buyers seeking expressive, individualistic colors, citing its global research that "more than 80 percent of buyers consider" color a key buying factor. The choice highlights growing interest in saturated hues across North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific and marks Axalta's 12th Color of the Year amid 160 years in color design and coatings.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, AXTA gained 0.24%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Peer moves were mixed: ESI (+1.22%), EMN (+0.09%), NEU (-0.32%), BCPC (-0.17%), SXT (+0.01%). With AXTA nearly flat at -0.09% and no peers in the momentum scanner, trading appeared stock-specific rather than a coordinated sector move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 07 | Earnings call scheduled | Neutral | -1.6% | Set timing for Q4 and full-year 2025 results and conference call. |
| Dec 18 | Sustainability report | Positive | +0.3% | Reported safety and emissions improvements and external sustainability recognitions. |
| Dec 16 | Color report | Neutral | +0.9% | Released 73rd Global Automotive Color Popularity Report with regional color trends. |
| Nov 24 | R&D award | Positive | -1.9% | Won 2025 R&D 100 Award for Fast Cure Low Energy paint system. |
| Nov 18 | Merger announcement | Positive | -0.6% | Announced all-stock merger of equals with AkzoNobel targeting synergies and scale. |
Operational and strategic positives (awards, merger news, sustainability progress) have produced mixed price reactions, with some selling pressure after clearly positive announcements.
Over the last few months, Axalta has highlighted several strategic and operational milestones. A planned Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings release and call on February 10, 2026 frames an upcoming fundamental checkpoint. Sustainability progress, including a ~49% TRIR reduction and 9% Scope 1 and 2 emissions cuts, and an R&D 100 Award for its Fast Cure Low Energy system underscore product and ESG positioning. In November 2025, Axalta announced an all‑stock merger of equals with AkzoNobel, targeting synergies and scale. Today’s Color of the Year news fits within this branding and innovation narrative rather than altering fundamentals.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights Axalta’s 2026 Global Automotive Color of the Year, Solar Boost, reinforcing its role in color design and consumer trend analysis. The news builds on prior color popularity reporting and underlines how more than 80% of buyers consider color a key factor. For context, investors may track how such design leadership supports Axalta’s position ahead of its upcoming earnings release and the proposed merger of equals with AkzoNobel, where fundamentals and integration plans will be central.
Key Terms
oems technical
evs technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Bold and brilliant orange evoke a sense of optimism and energy that meets consumers’ emerging preferences for expressive colors and modern finishes
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global coatings company, today announced its 2026 Global Automotive Color of the Year -- Solar Boost -- a warm and inviting orange tone that shimmers with an energy all its own. Designed for modern vehicles, this boldly dynamic hue is infused with champagne-colored flakes to deliver a confident, exceptional expression that radiates from sunrise to sunset.
“A vehicle’s color heavily shapes its initial perception, affecting how buyers feel about its safety, sportiness, elegance and even resale value, making color a significant influence in the buying decision,” said Hadi Awada, President, Global Mobility Coatings at Axalta. “In fact, Axalta’s own research has shown more than 80 percent of buyers consider it a key factor, which is why it’s so critical for OEMs to understand dynamic global consumer sentiments and align their vehicle color portfolio accordingly.”
Solar Boost reflects a shift toward individualistic design choices as consumers increasingly seek vehicles that express personal identity. Its bold hue aligns with growing interest in expressive colors beyond traditional neutrals, particularly among younger and trend-conscious buyers.
Grounded in Axalta’s global color research, orange is emerging as a shade that connects emotional expression around the world. In North America, it evokes warmth, optimism, and creative energy, often linked to friendliness and bold lifestyle branding or streetwear. In Latin America, it reflects vibrancy and celebration, symbolizing life and joyful expression. Across Asia Pacific, bold and saturated hues continue to gain traction, including orange shades and accents which are increasingly used to help vehicles project identity and stand out in fast-growing segments such as EVs. Solar Boost captures that shared sense of positivity and momentum, making it a powerful statement color for drivers who want their vehicles to reflect individuality and confidence.
“Solar Boost is the result of our team’s deep experience in both the art and science of color,” said Robert Roop, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Axalta. “Elements of human psychology and popular culture inform our choice of color; then we apply our expertise in color science, optics, and coating formulations to transform color into a manufacturable coating that is beautiful, durable and sustainable.”
This marks the 12th year Axalta has celebrated an Automotive Color of the Year, highlighting 160 years of experience in color design leadership, innovation, and forecasting future mobility coating trends. Axalta’s color experts meet regularly to analyze automotive trends and anticipate how consumer color preferences are evolving. Their guidance helps vehicle manufacturers choose colors that will resonate with buyers.
For more information about Axalta’s 2026 Global Automotive Color of the Year and the company’s color capabilities, visit axalta.com/color.
About Axalta
Axalta is a global leader in the coatings industry, providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable coatings solutions. From light vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish applications to electric motors, building facades and other industrial applications, our coatings are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enhance durability. With more than 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, the global team at Axalta continues to find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in over 140 countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems and technology. For more information visit axalta.com and follow us on LinkedIn.
| Axalta Coating Systems 1050 Constitution Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19112 axalta.com | Global Media Contact axalta-media-relations@axalta.com |
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0be504d6-b9c9-4ac1-abfd-21e3660ababf
FAQ
What is Axalta's 2026 Automotive Color of the Year (AXTA)?
Why did Axalta (AXTA) pick Solar Boost as Color of the Year?
How does Solar Boost reflect regional color trends noted by Axalta (AXTA)?
Does Axalta (AXTA) explain how Solar Boost is manufactured?
How long has Axalta been naming an Automotive Color of the Year (AXTA)?
