Take a look around any parking lot in the Middle East, and the pattern becomes instantly clear. Rows of white, gray, and black cars still dominate the scene, proving that despite years of talk about bold design and personal expression, most buyers in 2025 continue to play it safe when it comes to color. This isn’t just a feeling—it’s a reality backed by data from BASF’s latest Automotive Color Report for OEM coatings.
That said, the story doesn’t end with safe choices and familiar shades. Beneath this calm, predictable surface, something subtle—but meaningful—is starting to shift.
A Quiet Rise For Green, And A Steady Love For Gray
Globally, green is no longer just a niche option. It’s now the fastest-growing chromatic color, continuing a steady climb that has placed it among the top three most popular car colors worldwide, alongside blue and red. What’s interesting is that the two long-standing favorites—blue and red—are slowly losing ground. Blue slips by a single percentage point, while red falls more noticeably, now accounting for just three percent of the overall market.
At the same time, gray continues to strengthen its appeal. Often seen as the perfect balance between elegance and practicality, gray gains two percentage points, reinforcing its position as a modern, versatile choice. White remains the most popular color overall, but even it shows a slight decline. Black holds firm as well, though solid finishes are becoming less common, with solid colors now representing only 18 percent of the global market.
Together, these trends suggest a market that isn’t chasing extremes. Instead, buyers are slowly opening the door to variety—without abandoning timeless elegance.
From Silver To Green A Clear Shift In The Middle East And EMEA
In the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, these changes are even easier to spot. Green’s upward momentum continues, and it has now overtaken red, positioning itself as a color associated with individuality and understated sophistication rather than loud expression.
Silver, once a staple across the region, continues to fade from prominence. Meanwhile, black and gray further cement their dominance within the neutral palette. White, although still essential, records a modest decline, softened by a wider range of tones and finishes that add depth to the neutral spectrum.
According to BASF, this evolution didn’t happen overnight. Green had already begun making appearances in the region years ago through various shades featured in earlier Automotive Color Trends collections—early signals of the diversity that has now fully emerged.
Change Without Disruption
There’s no dramatic color revolution happening on Middle Eastern roads. White is still king, and gray and black remain the go-to choices for most buyers. But green’s steady return says a lot. It points to a slow yet confident shift in mindset—toward colors that feel more personal, more connected to nature, and more expressive, without straying too far from convention.
In a world where automotive trends often evolve quietly rather than explosively, the color story of 2025 may not shout for attention—but it clearly marks the beginning of something new.
