In an episode of “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,” Jerry Seinfeld picks up Jimmy Fallon in a Cascade Green 1956 Corvette that appears turquoise in the summer sun. Seinfeld declares it “absolutely the essence of American futuristic positivism of the post-war society at that time.”

Fallon riffs: “That’s a beautiful thing. It’s beautiful. This is just gorgeous, and the color. What happened with cars? Where did they stop making colors like this?”

Casting off the danger and drudgery of the war years, 1950s Americans were feeling optimistic. And, they relished the modernism of America’s be-finned, be-chromed and blindingly be-hued automobiles.

By the fiscally restrained 1970s, dowdy nature-inspired colors were back. It was depressing, unless you drove a Dodge, Jeep or Corvette. By contrast, European automakers offered a kaleidoscope of colors.

In these challenging times, drivers are choosing somber shades again, but also expressing some surprising mid-century-fueled emotion. Determining what colors buyers will desire is not easy, but automakers have their ways.

A starting point is automotive paint supplier BASF’s "Color Report 2025 for Automotive OEM Coatings."

“In 2025, the global automotive color landscape reflects a clear shift toward individuality and nature-inspired aesthetics,” said Mark Gutjahr, global head of automotive color design at BASF. “Green emerges as the strongest growing chromatic signal worldwide. Gray records a significant increase. White shows a slight decline and black remains strong. This development combines timeless elegance with expressive diversity.”

As in the 1970s, preferences vary across global markets.

“Colors often reflect cultural values and evoke emotional needs,” Gutjahr continued. “Europe favors sophisticated grays and blues while Asia-Pacifica leans toward whites and tech-inspired metallics. North America increasingly embraces bold blues, reds and greens, especially with a focus on texture and effect.

Expect more natural shades as we drive toward 2027. Gutjahr predicts green will remain popular while warm neutrals like light and vivid browns will emerge. Look for more gray variations too.

Victoria Pogetto, Letty Russell and Lisa Kelly of the Lexus color and trim team would likely agree.

“Core colors of black, white, gray and silver are always popular, but we are thrilled to see more color,” Team Lexus said. “Green is slowly coming back, and we are seeing many variations including bright greens and more silver-tinted greens. We are also seeing fresh effects such as colors that shift and others that have a frosted appearance.”

Assessing and predicting automotive color trends takes broad and deep analysis.

“New colors are worked on years in advance,” Team Lexus said. “Therefore, to help us understand the future we explore macro-societal trends. We use this as a framework to look at upcoming societal shifts and behaviors and how this will impact colors going forward.”

Inputs like race relations, economies, power and leadership, health, climate change, resource scarcity and technology are all mentioned as influences. Historical colors play into it, but you might be surprised where else designers find inspiration.

“Overall, we are seeing an openness to color, which allows us the opportunity to create more unique colors,” Team Lexus continued. “Footwear and packaging are two categories that are always interesting to watch for how color and materials are used in design.”

It’s similar at Stellantis, which includes the brands Fiat, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Chrysler domestically.

“We attend trend shows, not just automotive,” said La Shirl Turner, head of advanced color and materials at Stellantis. “We attend fashion shows, but also outdoor sporting and furniture shows. It goes back to everything has influence, even everyday products. It’s how we separate the trend influence to make it automotive-capable that’s challenging.”

There’s no shame in looking to the past for inspiration as some classic tints seem so fresh as to be new.

Mercedes dips into China Blue, a light hue from the ‘70s seemingly taken from the canals of Venice. Its all-capable G-Wagen is available in a studio of hues ranging from army greens to bright Hyper Blue Magno matte finish. Maybach encourages two-tone schemes with metallic emerald or mauve over white.

Corvettes always look good in red, but today’s Roswell Green Metallic, Sebring Orange and Hysteria Purple would look correct in 1973. Bright Riptide Blue Metallic is more today. On the opposite end of the Chevy spectrum is the 2027 Bolt EV that’s available in Marina Blue, a staple color on Chevelles and Novas throughout the 1960s.

Unlike in previous eras, there’s an interplay that allows automakers to reimagine historic colors while simultaneously conjuring new ones.

“I feel like there will always be a push for innovation,” Turner said. “We will always have core colors, but also a push for non-traditional colors. Dodge and Wrangler can wear any color; customers want these colors.”

You could get a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda in vivacious Lime Light, Blue Fire, In Violet and Vitamin C — heritage-blazing trails for Jeep’s orange “Joose,” purple “Rain” and green “Mojito.” The Wrangler 85th Anniversary edition comes in white with blue wheels and plaid interior, while Dodge Chargers wear Peel Out orange and Bludicrous that recall muscle car glory days.

“We have a heritage fan base,” Turner said. “Color leaves an impression, draws people in, communicates what the vehicle wants to be. Use of color and materials feeds the souls of our customers.”

Turner points to the electric Jeep Recon that was influenced by tactical gear and backpacks. The recent Chrysler Pacifica Grizzly Peak minivan concept wears matte-finish paint and cement gray leather seats with orange seatbelts.

“Colors play a vital role in the process of end consumers making decisions,” Gutjahr said. “Colors represent a brand, create identity and also evoke a sense of zeitgeist, meaning that products live in the time they are created, and with the best intention to stay for a long time without being outdated.”

And often, the past informs the future.

“Retro colors from the 1970s and pastels from the 1950s are great starting points,” said Team Lexus. “The variation in greens and blues allows for room to experiment and to draw from nature. We are lucky that we get to work with color palettes and not have to select only one.”

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