PPG forecasts “Brighter, More Dynamic” Auto Colours

Citation

(2005), "PPG forecasts “Brighter, More Dynamic” Auto Colours", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 34 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2005.12934bab.034

PPG forecasts “Brighter, More Dynamic” Auto Colours

PPG forecasts “Brighter, More Dynamic” Auto Colours

The next generation of automotive colours will reflect a “bright and vibrant outlook toward the future” with shades ranging from “techno aquamarine” and rich mahogany to glittering green and delicate yellow, PPG Industries Inc. said in issuing automotive-colour forecasts for the 2007-2009 model years. The PPG Global Design and Colour Marketing Team unveiled more than 170 colours in the forecast.

“We are seeing that North American consumers are moving away from more traditional shades and moving toward brighter and more dynamic colour choices,” said Lorene C. Boettcher, PPG manager, Global Design and Colour Marketing, Automotive Coatings. “In fashion, furnishings and other industries, designers are breaking away from black, grey and white to more non-traditional, vivid colours. This trend, which mirrors what's occurring in automotive coatings, demonstrates an optimistic attitude toward the future,” she said.

PPG said brighter aluminium flakes and special-effect pigments will play a strong role in creating a variety of finishes and visual textures that generate unique, new colours. Jerry Koenigsmark, PPG manager of Colour Design, North America, Automotive Coatings, said effect pigments with “strong reflective and angle-dependent colour-shifting properties” are creating a variety of visual textures that will interest designers and consumers.

Based on research conducted recently for 2007-2009, PPG forecast the following auto-colour trends for North America:

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  Blue – the trend is toward a range of soft, silvery green-shade blues to “bright techno shades” of aquamarine;

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  Green – different textural effects and warm undertones range from a new turquoise shade to near gold and will complement new luxury and sport hybrids;

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  Naturals – new interpretations of gold and beige with fine texture will emerge, as will soft yellow and yellow with red highlights. Russet shades of brown and warm shades inspired by environmental materials such as leather give a new look to tan;

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  Neutrals – sophisticated and contemporary varieties emerge in medium to dark values with differing hues. Warmer, more dynamic whites will complement the overall palette.

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  Red – new intense sporty shades, refined yellow-shade reds, mahogany tones with effect highlights and rich, almost purple, tones are being investigated.

PPG's Global Design and Colour Marketing Team consists of more than 25 colourists in North America, Europe, Japan, South America, India, Australia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea, and China. The team offers automakers with colour-trend recommendations and combines research of global automotive, fashion, architectural, and interior- design trends with insight of regional influences and knowledge of new technologies to gain a better understanding of international colour preferences, the company said.