Axalta Releases 2025 Global Automotive Color Popularity Report
Rhea-AI Summary
Axalta (NYSE: AXTA) released its 73rd annual Global Automotive Color Popularity Report on December 16, 2025, showing neutrals continue to dominate the 2025 palette.
Global highlights: White 29%, black 23%, gray 22%; silver 7%, blue 6%. The report notes steady movement rather than dramatic shifts and rising interest in finishes that add depth and individuality.
Regional snapshots: North America — white 31%, blue 10%, red 7%; South America — white 35%, silver 14%; Europe — gray 26%, white 25%, black 22%; Asia — black 26% and growing chromatic colors (yellow/gold 4%, green 3%, orange/purple 2%).
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Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
AXTA was down 0.26% pre-news. Key peers showed mixed moves: ESI (-1.85%), EMN (-0.98%), NEU (-1.94%), BCPC (+1.24%), SXT (-0.8%). No unified sector direction or momentum flags appeared.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 24 | Technology award | Positive | -1.9% | R&D 100 award for energy-saving collision repair paint system. |
| Nov 18 | Merger announcement | Positive | -0.6% | All-stock merger of equals with AkzoNobel to create larger coatings firm. |
| Oct 28 | Q3 2025 earnings | Positive | +2.2% | Record Adjusted EBITDA and higher EPS with solid cash generation. |
| Oct 08 | Earnings call setup | Neutral | +0.2% | Announcement of date and time for Q3 earnings release and call. |
| Oct 06 | Product launch | Positive | -0.2% | Launch of coatings aimed at improved EV battery thermal and electrical safety. |
Recent positive operational and strategic news for AXTA often saw muted or negative next-day price moves, with only the strong Q3 earnings release aligning clearly with a positive reaction.
Over the last few months, Axalta reported several notable developments. On Oct. 28, 2025, Q3 results featured record Adjusted EBITDA of $294M and a $0.67 adjusted EPS, with shares rising 2.2%. Earlier in October, Axalta highlighted innovative EV battery safety coatings and scheduled its Q3 earnings call, both with minimal price impact. In November, an all-stock merger of equals with AkzoNobel (enterprise value about $25B) and a 2025 R&D 100 Award each saw small negative reactions. Against this backdrop, the 2025 color report fits Axalta’s role as an industry reference rather than a direct financial catalyst.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement underscores Axalta’s position as a long-running authority on automotive color, with the 73rd Global Automotive Color Popularity Report showing white at 29%, black at 23%, and gray at 22% globally. Regional data, such as North America’s white share at 31% and Europe’s gray at 26%, highlights nuanced preferences. In context of recent merger plans and solid Q3 results, the report mainly reinforces brand and technical credibility rather than signaling new financial drivers.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Industry’s longest running and most comprehensive color account shows neutrals continuing to anchor the global palette
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Axalta (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global coatings company, today released its 73rd annual Global Automotive Color Popularity Report. The report offers an updated look at the landscape of automotive color in 2025, in which once again, white, gray, and black dominated. First published in 1953, Axalta’s annual color popularity report is the automotive industry’s longest running and most comprehensive color account.
Axalta’s 2025 Global Automotive Color Popularity Report revealed steady movement rather than dramatic shifts, with neutrals continuing to dominate the market. White remains the leading color at 29 percent, followed by black at 23 percent and gray at 22 percent, illustrating ongoing preferences for clean, timeless design.
Silver lost momentum at 7 percent, while blue maintained 6 percent, affirming its position as the strongest chromatic color and signaling continued interest in subtle, chromatic tones.
Red, brown/beige, green, and yellow/gold remain smaller but steady contributors to the global palette.
“This year’s report reveals how enduring neutrals continue to anchor the global palette, even as interest rises in finishes that bring greater depth, movement, and individuality to vehicle styling,” said Dr. Lei Qiao, Vice President - Technology, Mobility Coatings at Axalta. “Overall, the 2025 landscape reflects a market anchored in simplicity yet increasingly open to refined color expression and contemporary finishes.”
The report also captures slight changes in color popularity based on geography:
North America: White leads at 31 percent, a slight decrease from 2024 as chromatic colors rise in popularity. Drivers in North America increasingly choose bolder colors, with blue at 10 percent and red at 7 percent, reflecting a broader cultural shift toward customization and standout styling.
South America: White leads at 35 percent, valued for practicality and performance in warmer climates. Silver increased to 14 percent and blue to 7 percent, signaling continued growing interest in modern, refined tones. Gray at 23 percent and red at 4 percent round out a palette trending toward lighter, fresher expressions.
Europe: Gray dominates at 26 percent, increasing slightly from 2024 as the region continues to favor refined, understated design. White at 25 percent and black at 22 percent maintain their strong presence, creating a palette rooted in sophistication and harmonizing with Europe’s sleek, modern vehicle styling.
Asia: Asia continues shifting toward expressive color, with yellow/gold rising to 4 percent, green growing to 3 percent, and standout shades like orange and purple increasing to 2 percent. In a rapidly expanding EV market, bold, saturated hues help brands build identity and stand out, even as black increases to 26 percent across the region.
“Our proprietary resin chemistry enables Axalta to develop and deliver an expansive palette that meets the wide variety of colors demanded by different customers, cultures and climates, while at the same time ensuring the durability, performance and sustainability of the coating,” said Dr. Robert Roop, SVP and Chief Technology Officer at Axalta.
Each year, Axalta analyzes automotive build data from leading vehicle production regions and major markets around the world to deliver global color popularity rankings, regional trends, and an indicator of current market preferences. The report highlights the top 10 most popular automotive color spaces and provides insight into how color preferences continue to evolve across global markets.
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.
Global Media Contact
axalta-media-relations@axalta.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8e3ab76c-6d06-4d9c-a7a8-907a1996135b
FAQ
What did Axalta announce in its December 16, 2025 Global Automotive Color Popularity Report (AXTA)?
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Did Axalta report major shifts in automotive color popularity for 2025 in the AXTA filing?
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