Optimism For the Future Leads North American Automotive Colors In a Vibrant Direction, According to PPG Color Experts

TROY, Mich., Oct. 26, 2004 -- From techno aquamarine and rich mahogany to glittering green and delicate yellow, the next generation of automotive colors reflect a bright and vibrant outlook toward the future, according to PPG Industries.

The PPG Global Design and Color Marketing Team is now showing automakers more than 170 innovative colors for consideration for the 2007-2009 model years, demonstrating how the coatings pioneer is driving color into the future of automotive design.

"We are seeing that North American consumers are moving away from more traditional shades and moving toward brighter and more dynamic color choices," said Lorene C. Boettcher, manager, Global Design and Color Marketing, automotive coatings for PPG. "In fashion, furnishings and other industries, designers are breaking away from black, gray and white to more non- traditional, vivid colors. This trend, which mirrors what's occurring in automotive coatings, demonstrates an optimistic attitude toward the future."

PPG found that brighter aluminum flakes and special effect pigments will play a strong role in creating a variety of finishes and visual textures that create unique, new colors.

"Effect pigments with strong reflective and angle-dependent color-shifting properties are creating a variety of visual textures that will interest designers and consumers alike," said Jerry Koenigsmark, manager of color design, North America, automotive coatings for PPG. "The PPG team has developed a broad range of new colors, treatments and special effect pigments that add excitement and adventure to automotive coatings."

Based on research conducted this year for 2007-2009, PPG forecasts the coming auto color trends for North America:

* Blue - the trend is toward a range of soft, silvery green-shade blues to bright techno shades of aquamarine.

* Green - different textural effects and warm undertones range from a new turquoise shade to near gold and will complement new luxury and sport hybrids.

* Naturals - new interpretations of gold and beige with fine texture will emerge, as will soft yellow and yellow with red highlights. Russet shades of brown and warm shades inspired by environmental materials such as leather give a new look to tan.

* Neutrals - sophisticated and contemporary varieties emerge in medium to dark values with differing hues. Warmer more dynamic whites will complement the overall palette.

* Red - new intense sporty shades, refined yellow-shade reds, mahogany tones with effect highlights and rich, almost purple, tones are being investigated.

Consisting of more than 25 colorists in North America, Europe, Japan, South America, India, Australia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea and China, the PPG Global Design and Color Marketing Team is able to provide automakers with cutting-edge color trend recommendations to help enhance the brand identity and image of their vehicles.

The team combines research of global automotive, fashion, architectural and interior design trends with insight of regional influences and knowledge of new technologies to gain a better understanding of international color preferences.

For more than 20 years, PPG has been tracking and presenting color creations and the latest technical information to automakers worldwide. In addition to identifying automotive color trends, PPG also helps define trends for aerospace, aftermarket, architectural, general industrial, glass and trade sale products.

On the forefront of innovation in decorative and protective coatings and environmental application concerns since 1927, PPG has long been a leader in helping automakers advance technologies and processes used in the application of automotive coatings.

Pittsburgh-based PPG is the world's leading manufacturer of transportation coatings and a global supplier of industrial and packaging coatings, and a leading producer of architectural coatings, primarily in North America. In addition, PPG manufactures flat and fabricated glass, continuous-strand fiber glass and chemicals. Sales were US$8.8 billion in 2003.