PITTSBURGH -

Blue. In the area of vehicles, that color reflects consumers’ desire for adventure, relaxation and reliability.

That is according to paint and coating developer PPG, which on Friday announced its 2019 automotive color trends. The data showed a rise in blue automobiles.

Holding a steady 8% of the total global color popularity data, blue was second to neutrals such as white, black, silver and gray.

Europe consumers, at 11%, showed the most tendency to choose blue for their automobile in 2019. That is up 1% over last year. North America was close behind, with blue representing 10% of automotive builds. That was the highest next to neutral hues.

Seven percent of Asia Pacific consumers chose blue. But only 2% in South America had blue automobiles.

PPG said it anticipated the number of blue automobiles to increase for the next four years, noting that the hue “offers many nuanced shades that can be transformed with different pigment effects, fine or coarse metallic flakes, luminous micas and sparkling glass flakes.”

The company said that across the automotive market, chromatic blues with slight red or green undertones are already appearing and will continue to evolve over the coming years.

In addition to automobiles, consumers are gravitating toward blue hues in their homes and electronics, according to PPG.

“Now more than ever, consumers have a desire to make a statement – whether it be through their color choices or the brands they buy,” PPG manager, color styling, automotive OEM coatings Jane Harrington said in a news release.

Harrington continued, “We see bolder colors making a comeback in many consumer segments. The versatility of automotive blues – from light sky blue to rich indigo – allows consumers to make a statement, while also ensuring the color maintains a certain level of practicality.”

In addition to color preferences for auto exteriors, consumers are also considering more colorful choices for their wheel accents, said PPG global segment manager for wheel and industrial coatings Jennifer Solcz.

“We’re seeing wheel designers now opting for complementary blue and blue-gray tones, and bolder choices for logos, racing stripes and other embellishments for a cohesive, custom look,” Solcz said.