NEW ARRAY – the theme of BASF’s 2022-2023 Automotive Color Trends collection

It’s time to open up to new perspectives and move on. Following the passage to a vibrant, yet undefined future you will not get around the NEW ARRAY collection from Automotive Color Trends by BASF for 2022-2023.

Each year, designers for BASF’s Coatings division create a new collection to inspire automotive designers around the globe. The NEW ARRAY collection provides innovative shades with an increasing focus on sustainability and functionality, while still moving into new and exciting color spaces.

The collection title NEW ARRAY refers to the thoughtful process of ordering values and responding to new needs. Think of it like being on an escalator. It’s a mode of transportation that does not belong to the previous nor the next level, taking the rider to a liminal space in-between. This collection immerses itself in that space to look forward at the future of mobility.

Our designers reinforce BASF’s global leadership in color by independently researching trends and the forward-looking signals that influence those trends as they work to create cutting-edge shades. This year’s palette, or some version of it, could be on the road or in your driveway in the next three to five model years.

It’s a NEW ARRAY of color from BASF.

NEW ARRAY Automotive Color Trends 22-23

PDF (1.4 MB)

Press Release

The AMERICAS – Visions or progress

Society is grappling with its directional pull, whether to move in a radically different aesthetic without losing touch with sophisticated appearance and compelling effects. Visions of progress emanate through the Americas colors with depth, texture, and compatibility. Expressions of natural and simplified options beckon both individuals and communities to embrace liminal spaces.

Dealing with a plethora of emotions and conditions associated with both individual and communal identities, one may find solace and acceptance beyond the typical confines of tangible life. Moving through the liminal uncertainty may ultimately provide grounding and opportunities to see into the future.

Elizabeth Hoffmann

Head of Automotive Design, Americas

LAVA

The key color for the Americas sits at the crossroads of high technology and sustainability. LAVA is a new and infused deep and layered color in the black color space. At its base is a deep charcoal gray that has a glowing redness in the deep effects. It’s a testament to the myriad of possibilities that the viewer can experience when light dances on a coated surface. LAVA also shows how technology can deliver both on the ecological and the sophistication fronts.

Asia Pacific – Standing in a liminal space

Standing in a liminal space, the colors of Asia Pacific bring us comfort, happiness, spice, and solutions reflecting human individuality, which is expanding and gaining importance. They show people how to live gently and vividly with their own narratives.

AP’s colors shape a positive and realistic future. They draw your own story allowing you to align with your colorful identity away from the social pressures.

Chiharu Matsuhara

Head of Automotive Design, Asia Pacific

EFFLORESCENCE

We are in a liminal space with open minds and ideas. That is what inspired the concept of the Asia Pacific key color, EFFLORESCENCE. This pearl-like ivory is a new, fresh bloom of positive and exciting value. The color has an eco-friendly process and emotional feel, forging a new narrative in sustainability and identity. EFFLORESCENCE talks to us with its unique tactile response.

EMEA – The doors of possibility are open

The colors of Europe, Middle East and Africa reach high chromaticity with spectacular new pigments – enabling beautiful and intense new shades. The darker tones are fine and smooth. Neutral color shades play with a virtual look by adding subtle color information. Effects are there to support the idea and visual impression.

Overall, identity is shown not only through uniqueness, but also in the ability to subtly extend the already unique character of diverse color positions or effects.

Mark Gutjahr

Head of Automotive Color Design, EMEA

MINTED GOLD

Gold is always considered a precious metal in the universe. The color MINTED GOLD shows how this value can be translated into the digital age. The key color EMEA comes as a strong, shiny metallic gold. A color value that was not only forged for the car owners of the future.