BASF doesn’t make a lot of the products you buy, but it does make a lot of the products you buy better. Or so they say. “At BASF, we don’t make the Segway human transporter. We make it more durable.” See? It’s true. Click here for the BASF/Segway success story.

BASF is, specifically, the world’s leading chemical company. And as the world’s leading chemical company, they know a heck of a lot about paint, which has a heck of a lot of chemicals in it. (Their website says noses love fresh paint. Which may be an invitation to try huffing.)

Since everything BASF says is true, then just trust the paint specialists in charge of BASF’s Automotive Coating’s most recent automotive color trend report.

The specialists say that silver, black and white (BORING) currently make up between 50% and 80% of current production. But fear not, palette expansion seekers. Automakers and consumers desire more color on the roads, and a diversity of shades are returning to the market.

Consumers can expect more “naturally cultivated” colors with nuanced berry and copper tones, and ones based on the earth tones of brown, blue and green. The far reaching color spaces of bronze and emerald may be tapped as well.

BASF believes the “increasing inclination of society to celebrate beauty in earth tones and more traditional green and blue hues” is the basis for this trend, as they evoke a stronger emotional connection.

Which, I think we all should agree, is a good development for the roads.

Let’s hope BASF is right.