BASF Releases Colour Report For Automotive OEM Coatings
- By MT Bureau
- January 11, 2025
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.
Cedric Ratinaud Becomes New Global Brand Head Of Nissan Motor Corporation
- By MT Bureau
- August 24, 2026
Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Corporation has announced the appointment of Cedric Ratinaud as the new Global Head of Brand, Nissan.
Ratinaud previously served as the Director of Creative and Campaigns for Global Communications at Nissan Motor Corporation, a role he held from April 2024. Prior to that position, he worked as General Manager of INFINITI Global Communications. His background includes two decades in the automotive sector across communications, marketing communications, and brand management roles.
His career at Nissan spans operations across Europe, Asia, and Oceania. Most recently, he served as General Manager of Brand, Marketing, and Communications for Nissan Motor Asia Pacific, operating out of Thailand.
TVS Supply Chain Solutions, Japan’s Sankyu Inc. Ink Strategic MoU
- By MT Bureau
- August 24, 2026
TVS Supply Chain Solutions has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Japan-based Sankyu Inc. to collaborate across supply chain and engineering services.
As part of the agreement, Sankyu intends to acquire a 0.5 percent equity stake in TVS Supply Chain Solutions, subject to regulatory approvals.
The partnership combines TVS Supply Chain Solutions' logistics network in India with Sankyu's engineering capabilities and corporate connections in Japan. Initial operations will focus on serving manufacturing and industrial clients in India, where over 1,400 Japanese companies operate.
Future plans include expanding joint operations into regions across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and additional international markets where both firms hold established infrastructure.
To manage operations under the agreement, the companies will form a joint steering committee with representatives from both organisations to identify operational opportunities and oversee joint initiatives.
R. Dinesh, Chairman, TVS Supply Chain Solutions, said, “This partnership represents an important step in our strategy to strengthen our capabilities and create greater value for customers. Sankyu's engineering expertise and deep relationships across the Japanese industrial ecosystem complement TVS Supply Chain Solutions' integrated supply chain capabilities, strong customer relationships and market presence. We share a strong commitment to long-term value creation, and together we are well positioned to deliver more comprehensive solutions, support the evolving needs of manufacturing and industrial customers, and unlock new growth opportunities across India and other strategic markets.”
Kimihiro Nakamura, President and CEO, Sankyu Inc, said, "Since our inception in 1918, Sankyu has been dedicated to supporting the progress of the manufacturing sector, underpinned by our core philosophy of valuing our people. We are profoundly honoured to enter into this partnership with TVS SCS, an organisation that shares our philosophy and commitment to the highest ethical standards. Our two companies possess a strong strategic alignment, and by integrating and complementing our respective strengths, we look forward to achieving collective growth in the global market and contributing to sustainable industrial development."
VinFast Elevates India Head Tapan Ghosh To Oversee Operations In Indonesia
- By MT Bureau
- August 18, 2026
Vietnamese automotive company VinFast has expanded the role of its India Chief Executive Officer, Tapan Ghosh, to oversee operations in Indonesia, uniting the company's management structure across both regional markets.
Interestingly, Ghosh becomes Chief Executive Officer for VinFast Operations across both countries, making him the first executive from India to manage multiple markets for the Vietnamese company.
Since joining the Vietnamese brand in 2025 from Hyundai Motor India, Ghosh has managed local manufacturing setups, dealership distribution expansion and product strategies. His new responsibilities will include overseeing the development of a complete knock-down (CKD) assembly operation in Indonesia.
The dual-country manufacturing and distribution setup establishes operational hubs for VinFast across South Asia and Southeast Asia, supporting its strategy to expand production beyond Vietnam.
An Cong Hui Succeeds Li Shu Fu As Chairman Of Geely, Gan Jia Yue Becomes CEO
- By MT Bureau
- August 18, 2026
Chinese automotive major Geely Automobile Holdings has announced changes to its board of directors and executive leadership structure, effective 18 August 2026, as part of its succession planning framework.
Li Shu Fu has resigned as Chairman of the Board and Executive Director to focus on other business commitments. He has accepted an appointment as Honorary Chairman for Life, a role outside the formal corporate governance structure. Li remains a controlling shareholder of the company and confirmed that he has no disagreement with the board regarding his departure.
On the other hand, Executive Director An Cong Hui has been appointed Chairman of the Board. The board cited An's operational experience within the group and strategic alignment with the controlling shareholder entity as factors supporting the appointment. Independent non-executive directors will continue to oversee potential conflict management protocols under Hong Kong Stock Exchange listing rules.
Further board adjustments include the resignation of Li Dong Hui, Daniel, from the role of Vice-Chairman. He retains his seat as an Executive Director. Gui Sheng Yue has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer and assumed the role of Vice Chairman while remaining an Executive Director.
Following Gui's transition, Executive Director Gan Jia Yue has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Gan assumes responsibility for managing the group's operational activities and executing long-term business objectives.

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