Axalta Coating Systems has announced its Automotive Colour of the Year for 2016 – brilliant blue. The announcement comes in advance of the 2016 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) where Axalta is the Presenting Sponsor of the NAIAS Charity Preview on January 15, 2016. The event will kick-off Axalta’s year long brilliant blue celebration.
“The start of the New Year is a perfect time to introduce brilliantbBlue,” said Nancy Lockhart, Axalta Colour Marketing Manager. “This new beginning is charged by optimism and fresh thoughts and Axalta’s new hue represents positive energy and vibrancy.”
Brilliant blue is a mid-shade blue that has both depth and vividness with slight turquoise highlights. It is made with Axalta’s high chroma Vermeera technology using a multi-layer process to achieve both an intense blue colour and a unique sparkle effect.
Axalta colour experts selected brilliant blue for a number of reasons. According to Axalta’s Global Automotive 2015 Colour Popularity Report, blue increased in popularity to a total of eight percent of 2015 light vehicle sales in North America due to increased use on sport utility and compact utility vehicles. From a worldwide view, blue remained steady while other rich colours declined and white, black and grey increased in popularity. The annual report, now in its 63rd consecutive year, highlights automotive colour choices around the world.
Historically, Axalta colour trend research shows blue has been a top choice in North America. Blue was the number one colour from 1957-1959 (pastel blues) and was the leader in 1988 (darker green shade blues). Recently, industry professionals expressed an interest in the colour during automotive events around the country including the 2015 SEMA show in Las Vegas.
Brilliant blue is Axalta’s second Automotive Colour of the Year, following the inaugural radiant red. Axalta will also reveal its brilliant blue video during the EyesOn Design awards ceremony at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan on January 12, 2016. The EyesOn Design Awards, the officially-sanctioned design awards for NAIAS, honour the best production and concept vehicles making their worldwide debut in Detroit. Axalta is a long-time supporter of the program that benefits the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology and is a sponsor of the EyesOn Design Award for Innovative Use of Colour, Graphics or Materials. More information is available at www.eyesondesign.org/auto-show-awards.
“We take pride in being able to support such an exceptional, international event that provides so much support to local charities,” said David Fischer, Axalta Vice President for Market Strategy and Growth. “NAIAS attendees will have many opportunities to experience Brilliant Blue.”
