BASF Coatings has released its report titled ‘Colour Report For Automotive OEM Coatings’ to provide a detailed exploration of the recent colour trends in the automotive industry.

BASF Coatings computed the colour distribution mentioned in the report using the information that was available about the manufacture of automobiles worldwide and the application of paint to passenger cars. According to the report, as buyers stray from conventional favourites like white and silver, the worldwide automobile colour landscape continues to change in 2024. According to the report, this change is opening the door for a more varied palette, warm neutrals and vivid colours to become more popular throughout the business. In particular, customers still prefer white, but warm hues like yellow and beige are becoming more and more desirable, and green is becoming more and more popular everywhere. Additionally, achromatic hues like grey and black are becoming more popular.

The report also highlights the region-wise trend in automotive coating based on consumer preference. As per the report, beige is gaining popularity in the EMEA region as achromatic colours continue steady growth in the region, increasing from 72 percent in 2021 to almost 80 percent in 2024. White remains the most preferred colour, while grey comes second.

In the Americas, grey is shining as one of the most versatile and captivating colours with almost 20 percent of the total market share. Compared to 2023, black colour has decreased by two percentage points, while white has had a five percentage point loss, which is even more notable.

The Asia Pacific market, on the other hand, is dominated by black colour. With achromatic colours remaining the top choice for 83 percent of consumers, black colour secured a gain of two percentage points in popularity, while white saw a decline of over two points. Chromatic colours with soft tones, particularly yellow, are also on the rise in this region, the report says.

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The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) organised the 4th International Conference on Sustainable Circularity today at the India Habitat Centre. The event, part of SIAM Sustainable Mobility Week 2026, focused on the transition to an automotive circular economy through policy, innovation and industry collaboration.

The conference addressed the lifecycle of automotive production, including eco-design, material use, recycling systems and regulatory alignment. A context paper titled ‘Accelerating India’s Transition to an Automotive Circular Economy’ was released during the proceedings.

The event saw discussions highlighting the expansion of India's scrapping infrastructure. There are currently between 125 and 130 Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities (RVSFs) operational across the country. Officials noted that while technology for recycling exists, challenges remains regarding traceability, policy clarity and the informal sector.

Key priorities identified for the sector include:

• 3R Framework: Implementation of schemes to reduce resource use, reuse components, and recover materials.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Strengthening regulations to manage vehicle end-of-life.
• Digital Tracking: Improving the monitoring of vehicles to assist in disposal planning.
• Automated Testing: Expanding Automated Testing Stations to increase the flow of End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) to formal recyclers.

Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, said, “We have a larger responsibility to meet the needs of the country. Our regulations and standards are aligned to reduce emissions, improve fuel efficiency, and promote cleaner fuels. The Vehicle Scrapping Policy, is a major step forward and the ecosystem is now developing with nearly 125 to 130 Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities operational.”

Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, stated, “We must address air quality and vehicle end of life management, especially in Delhi NCR. ELV feed to Registered Vehicle Scrappage Facilities (RVSFs) needs to be increased. Documentation gaps with previous owners, especially for two-wheelers, and pending issues like unpaid challans, insurance and road tax must be resolved urgently.”

Vikram Kasbekar, Executive Director and CTO, Hero MotoCorp, added, “The development of Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities is key to a sustainable mobility ecosystem. Initiatives like PM E-Drive have strengthened the industry and sped up readiness. Engaging non-registered recyclers constructively will help formalise processes.”

The event featured sessions on material innovation and the role of startups in recycling. Participants discussed the use of copper, tyre recycling and carbon business models. The consensus among attendees was that circularity must be integrated into initial product design rather than being treated solely as a post-consumer activity.

The Sustainable Mobility Week concludes on 19 February with the 1st International Conference on Automotive Material Compliance and Sustainability.

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Audi is set to make its highly anticipated debut as a factory team in Formula 1 this March, and to mark the occasion, it is launching a comprehensive new merchandise line. Developed in partnership with adidas, the adidas x Audi Revolut F1 Team collection will be available to the public starting 19 February 2026. The initiative is designed to galvanise a global community and attract new followers to the brand by offering a tangible connection to its motorsport project.

The partnership has produced a diverse range of over 160 products, structured into two primary categories. The first is official teamwear, which features high-performance functional clothing unveiled in Berlin this January. This line incorporates advanced adidas technologies and is meticulously engineered for the specific demands of the team's personnel. This includes race-ready athletic wear for drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, ergonomic and stylish garments for engineers during long stints at the track and durable, function-focused attire for the mechanics.

Complementing this is a dedicated fanwear collection aimed at a wider audience. Designed for everyday wear, it spans T-shirts, hoodies, jackets and footwear, blending modern lifestyle aesthetics with sportswear comfort. The fan range includes core essentials in the team’s primary colours to express team identity, as well as elevated pieces with subtle branding for a contemporary look. Exclusive merchandise for the two drivers is also featured. Throughout the season, limited-edition special drops will be introduced, celebrating the team's evolving identity and culture.

The entire collection draws its aesthetic from the Audi R26 race car. The teamwear features subtle grey and chalk tones inspired by the car’s titanium-coloured paintwork, while red accents serve as a unifying element, reflecting Audi’s broader visual identity in the championship. From 19 February 2026, fans will be able to purchase the collection through the team’s new e-commerce platform, as well as from adidas and select retail partners.

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Rapido has launched a new brand identity, transitioning from its bike-taxi origins to a multi-modal mobility ecosystem. The refresh features a wordmark-focused logo that replaces the company's original bike-centric imagery to reflect its expanded service portfolio.

The rebranding follows Rapido’s diversification into various transport and travel sectors. The platform currently facilitates over 5 million rides daily across 400 cities and has surpassed 50 million total rides.

The unified app now integrates several transport modes and adjacent services, including bike taxis, auto-rickshaws & cabs, parcel deliveries and integrated OTA services for flights, hotels, buses and trains.

Rapido has established a presence in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, functioning as a livelihood platform for over 3 million captains. The company utilises a SaaS-driven framework to manage its independent workforce and transport categories.

Pawandip Singh, Chief Marketing Officer, Rapido, said, “Our new brand identity is a milestone that mirrors the scale and diversity of the millions of journeys we facilitate every day. Rapido has always stood for simplifying travel and making it affordable for all. By evolving our visual language, we are reinforcing our promise to be the 'Wheels of Bharat' – moving beyond our origins to provide a truly integrated, homegrown solution that connects every Indian from the first mile to the last, and every getaway in between.”

The new identity will be implemented across the Rapido app, captain ecosystem and digital platforms over the coming weeks.

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Japanese automotive major Honda Motor Co., has announced organisational and operational changes effective 1 April 2026. The restructuring aims to enhance the company's ability to respond to market trends and deliver technologies within its automobile, motorcycle and power products divisions.

The research and development functions currently held within Automobile Development Operations and the SDV (Software-Defined Vehicle) Business Development Unit will be transferred to Honda R&D Co.

Since 2020, Honda has operated production model development and future technology research as separate entities. The new structure integrates the process from technology selection to market launch into a single flow. This change is intended to increase speed and flexibility in responding to the business environment.

Honda will disband the SDV Business Development Unit and reorganise its Automobile Business Strategy and Sales Units into two new entities: the Business Strategy Unit and the Regional Business Unit.

These changes are designed to:

• Improve automobile business profitability.
• Enhance product planning and sales based on customer needs.
• Strengthen product competitiveness over the mid-to-long term.

The company will integrate sales, business strategy and product development functions for its electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) businesses. Previously, these were managed separately. As the electrification strategy enters the execution stage, this integration aims to optimise resource allocation and support carbon neutrality goals.

Through these changes, Honda intends to accelerate corporate transformation through electrification and intelligent technologies to maintain a distinctive presence in the global market.

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