The Hidden Complexity Behind Neutral Paint Finishes

White, black, and grey vehicles may dominate the roads, but bodyshops would be mistaken to assume this makes refinishing work any simpler.

Axalta's 73rd annual Global Automotive Colour Popularity Report confirms that whilst neutral shades continue to account for nearly three-quarters of global vehicle production, the vast majority now feature effect and pearl finishes that transform straightforward colour-matching into a precision craft.

The data presents a sobering reality for refinish departments: approximately four out of five black vehicles on the road require complex multi-stage matching rather than a simple solid-colour repair. This shift fundamentally changes what "common colours" means for workshop efficiency and profitability.

Neutral dominance continues, but with a twist

According to Axalta's comprehensive analysis of automotive production data across major markets, white remains the global leader at 29 percent, followed by black at 23 percent and grey at 22 percent. Silver continues its gradual decline, now representing just 7 percent of production, whilst blue holds steady at 6 percent as the strongest chromatic colour worldwide.

"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 of technology for mobility coatings at Axalta.

But it's the breakdown between solid and effect finishes that tells the more operationally significant story for collision repair facilities.

The effect finish revolution

Among black vehicles globally, a striking 19 percent utilise effect finishes, compared with just 4 percent finished in solid black. This nearly 5:1 ratio means that the typical black vehicle entering a bodyshop bay demands far more than a straightforward single-stage repair.

White vehicles follow a similar pattern. Globally, 15 percent of white cars feature pearl finishes, with that figure climbing to 17 percent in North America. These multi-stage finishes require additional materials, extended labour time, and heightened technician expertise to achieve an acceptable match.

For workshop managers evaluating paint department productivity, this data carries clear implications. A job roster dominated by neutral-coloured vehicles no longer suggests simplified refinish work. The prevalence of effect and pearl finishes across the neutral spectrum means colour-matching technology and skilled painters remain essential regardless of which colours appear most frequently in the bay.

North American trends show chromatic growth

Whilst neutrals maintain their dominance, North American bodyshops should note a gradual but measurable shift towards chromatic colours. Blue has reached 10 percent of North American vehicle production—nearly double the 6 percent global average—whilst red holds at 7 percent.

The complete North American breakdown shows white at 31 percent, grey at 21 percent, black at 19 percent, blue at 10 percent, silver at 8 percent, red at 7 percent, green at 2 percent, and yellow/gold and brown/beige each at 1 percent.

This chromatic growth reflects what Axalta characterises as motorists increasingly selecting bolder colours as part of a broader cultural shift towards customisation and distinctive styling. For bodyshops, a higher chromatic share translates to maintaining broader inventory and investing in colour-matching tools capable of handling an expanded range of formulations.

Regional variations offer market insights

Workshops serving diverse customer bases or operating across multiple territories may find value in the report's regional breakdowns, which reveal distinct preferences across global markets.

Europe stands apart with grey as the leading colour at 26 percent, followed by white at 25 percent and black at 22 percent. South America demonstrates a stronger preference for silver at 14 percent, whilst Asia shows a growing appetite for expressive colours, with yellow/gold at 4 percent and green at 3 percent.

Perhaps most notable is South Korea, which reported green at 8 percent of production—nearly three times the global average. Such regional preferences could signal emerging trends that may eventually reach other markets, including the UK.

China's data shows black leading at 28 percent, with white close behind at 27 percent. However, the finish breakdown proves particularly revealing 24 percent of Chinese vehicles employ black effect finishes versus just 4 percent solid black, reinforcing that effect finishes have transitioned from premium option to industry standard.

Green, which Axalta highlighted earlier this year when naming Evergreen Sprint as its Global Automotive Colour of the Year, held at 3 percent globally but showed notable regional variation, suggesting pockets of stronger consumer interest.

Technology and inventory implications

The colour data supports continued focus on neutral-colour inventory whilst underscoring the need for sophisticated colour-matching capabilities. Bodyshops can reasonably anticipate that white, black, and grey formulations will constitute the majority of refinish work, but must plan for the complexity that effect and pearl finishes add to that workload.

More than one in five shops now report billing insurers for spectrophotometer or colour camera use, according to the "Who Pays for What?" survey conducted by Collision Advice and CRASH Network. The Axalta colour data strongly supports this practice. When the majority of even neutral-coloured vehicles require effect-finish matching, the labour and technology investment warrants appropriate compensation.

Dr Robert Roop, Axalta's senior vice president and chief technology officer, noted that the company's resin chemistry enables development of coatings meeting diverse colour demands across different customers, cultures, and climates whilst ensuring durability and performance.

The bottom line for bodyshops

For collision repair operations, the 2025 colour data reinforces that refinish work continues to grow more complex, even as the dominant colours remain familiar. The days when neutral colours meant straightforward repairs have clearly passed.

Workshops investing in digital colour tools, comprehensive technician training, and appropriate billing practices position themselves to handle this complexity profitably. Those still operating under the assumption that common colours equal simple work may find their margins quietly eroding as effect finishes become the industry norm.

The message from Axalta's data is clear: neutral doesn't mean simple anymore. It means sophisticated colour-matching capabilities have become essential equipment rather than competitive advantage. For bodyshops planning their technology and training investments, that distinction makes all the difference.