BASF Automotive Color Trends 2017-18: Undercurrent Blue

Mixing artistry and chemistry, BASF designers translate cultural trends into 65 automotive concept colors. The key North American Color is Undercurrent Blue, a dark navy with a silky texture that exudes mystery and a celebration of self. It leverages simple, in-use pigmentation yet offers a sophisticated color position.

This color is part of BASF’s Automotive Color Trend 2017-18 Collection, titled Translucid, which was inspired by society’s relationship to technology and a call for transparency and lucidity. In North America, specifically, Paul Czornij, Head of Design for BASF Color Excellence Group in North America, found there was desire to break away from technology’s encroachment on our daily lives and reconnect to a more natural world, the community with a renewed sense of emphasis on open debate and our own body. These trend insights inspired the top three North American colors – Undercurrent Blue, a dark navy; Abyss, a metallic black and Cabochon, a turquoise blue with a futuristic finish.

The designers of BASF’s Coatings Division search the far corners of the global for inspiration. It’s an extensive process consisting of about 18 months of research, travel and experimentation. These up-and-coming colors are expected to influence vehicle models three to five years from now.

To learn more, visit automotive.basf.com.