Meaning Behind Famous Car Brands Logos
A car logo is not just a badge of the brand but the personification of the tradition. It covers the underlying values and philosophy of the designer. The hidden messages and complex symbols convey the brand's identity. Some of these car logos are among the most famous in the world. This article discusses the top car logos, their meanings, and design secrets. But first, have a look at what is kept in mind while designing logos.
Shapes and Their Influence
Shapes greatly influence our logo perception. A logo that is well-shaped will stand out for a car brand while at the same time communicating its fundamental values. In addition to their visual appeal, logos also have a subtle psychological impact on the viewer.
The three main types of logo forms are:
Geometric Shapes
Circles and Ellipses: These are symbols of unity and movement. The circular BMW logo shows that the brand focuses on quality and innovation.
Squares and Rectangles: The order and reliability are what these shapes suggest. Toyota uses them to build trust.
Triangles: They are seen as elements of power and development. The three-rhombus Mitsubishi logo stands for strength and unity.
Organic Shapes
These forms have a natural, flowing appearance. Brands like Jaguar and Land Rover employ them to symbolize grace and agility respectively. It aligns with their luxurious brand image and off-road technology.
Abstract Shapes
Simple shapes create a reading of emotions and ideas abstractly. The three ellipses of Toyota stand for the bond between the brand and its customers. The Chevrolet symbol represents the innovation.
The next time you look at a car logo, pay attention to its shape so you can understand the brand!
Outstanding Car Brand Logos
A well-designed logo does not only serve advertising functions. But it also can communicate its message and remain unforgettable. The designs may look plain but have very deep meanings embedded. Let's check out some of the most famous car logo designs and discover their hidden meanings together.
Mercedes-Benz - The Star Symbolizes Power
Meaning:
The Mercedes-Benz logo has a three-pointed star. It reflects the company's goal of achieving land, sea, and air transportation dominance. This symbolizes the brand's commitment to engineering excellence and innovation.
Secret Behind The Logo:
The silver color is the Mercedes-Benz logo's visual representation of sophistication, luxury, and high performance. Daimler was originally started by the parent company. The idea was to create machines for all types of land, air, and sea travel, which is the three-pronged design.
BMW - The Propeller in Motion
Meaning:
The BMW logo is frequently confused with the idea of the spinning airplane propeller. It is because of the company's past involvement in aviation. However, it comes from the blue and white colors of the Bavarian flag which represent the company's origin.
Secret Behind The Logo:
The myth of the propeller was founded by a 1929 BMW ad. It features the logo above airplane propellers to emphasize the aviation link. Although the original influence comes from the national colors of Bavaria.
Audi - The Four Rings of Unity
Meaning:
The four interlocked rings in the Audi logo translate into the companies of the Auto Union. It includes Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer founders. These four companies joined together to come up as a giant in the automotive industry.
Secret Behind The Logo:
The symbol is that of unity, strength, and progress. The simple but effective design of unset symmetry has been there unchanged for a long time. Thus, maintaining the brand's powerful legacy in the auto world.
Ferrari - The Prancing Horse of Speed
Meaning:
The Ferrari logo has a black prancing horse on a yellow background. The horse is a reference to World War I flying ace Count Francesco Baracca.
Secret Behind The Logo:
Incorporating the symbol into the logo was a tribute to Baracca. The yellow background depicts the city of Modena, which is the birthplace of Ferrari. The Italian flag on top stresses even more national pride.
Porsche - The Crest of Prestige
Meaning:
The Porsche logo is a mixture of the elements of Stuttgart's city coat of arms and the Wurttemberg state crest. The black horse on it stands for Stuttgart. While the antlers and the red-black stripes draw from the Wurrttemberg's emblem.
Secret Behind The Logo:
Porsche's logo serves as a direct reference to its roots in Germany. The horse is a representation of power, speed, and grace—distinct attributes linked to Porsche cars.
Lamborghini - The Bull of Power
Meaning:
The raging bull in the Lamborghini logo shows strength, resolution, and aggression. It is also a tribute to the company's founder, Ferruccio Lamborghini.
Secret Behind The Logo:
The gold and black colors are used as representations of luxury and exclusivity. The bull is used as a metaphor because Lamborghini was born under the sign of Taurus bull.
Toyota - The Intersecting Ellipses
Meaning:
The logo of Toyota contains three ellipses, two of which are overlapping each other. They are a symbol of the unification of the hearts of both the customers and the company. The inner ellipses indicate technological advances and opportunities.
Secret Behind The Logo:
If you concentrate, the logo will spell out "Toyota" itself in the curve elements. While the overlapping design is a symbol of precision and trust that is the main brand's values.
Ford - The Blue Oval of Reliability
Meaning:
The blue oval with cursive lettering Ford logo well describes the brand's reliability and trust. The rhymed font looks classically elegant.
Secret Behind The Logo:
The original Ford script is the original signature of Henry Ford himself. The blue background stands for power and dependability. These are the key points to remember Ford vehicles by.
Chevrolet - The Bowtie of American Engineering
Meaning:
Chevrolet’s bowtie emblem is famous for having an inconclusive beginning. Solving the design puzzle, believe was inspired by a wallpaper design. While others claim it is merely a symbol of a Swiss cross.
Secret Behind The Logo:
Over the years Chevrolet has made several small changes to the bowtie logo. But it has always remained the same, embodying the innovation and durability of the American car brands.
Rolls-Royce - The Spirit of Ecstasy
Meaning:
The Rolls-Royce emblem displays the "Spirit of Ecstasy", the iconic hood ornament. It is a symbol of beauty, speed, and grace. The interlocked Rs are the initials of the company's founders, Charles Rolls and Henry Royce.
Secret Behind The Logo:
The Spirit of Ecstasy was cast after some famous persons. It includes Eleanor Thornton a British actress, and secretary to one of Rolls-Royce's early patrons. The figurine symbolizes the ultra-luxurious brand's distinctiveness.
Tesla - The T of Innovation
Meaning:
The "T" logo of Tesla identifies with the electric motor cross-section. It aligns with the mission of the company of creating electric vehicles and pursuing innovative ideas.
Secret Behind The Logo:
The curved lines discreetly imitate a rotor and stator setup that is present inside an electric motor. This showcases Tesla's intrinsic bond with the latest technologies and its focus on energy conservation.
Mitsubishi Motors – The Three Diamonds of Heritage
Meaning:
Mitsubishi’s trademark consists of three red diamonds positioned in a triangular way. It is the company's name in Japanese. “Mitsu” translates to “three” and “Bishi” refers to “water chestnut” or “diamond.”
Secret Behind the Logo:
The three-diamond trademark is a symbol of the founding families' crests. Integrity, reliability, and a pledge to engineering excellence are the things it symbolizes.
Hyundai – The Handshake of Trust
Meaning:
The logo of Hyundai features a simple italicized letter “H”. It represents two people shaking hands—one representing the company and the other a satisfied customer.
Secret Behind the Logo:
This handshake underlines the company’s focus on building strong customer relationships. The blue color denotes trust and stability. While the cool silver shades contribute to the feeling of modernity and sophistication.
Volkswagen – The People’s Car Emblem
Meaning:
Volkswagen’s logo consists of the letters “V” and “W” from its name. It is in German and translates to “People’s Car”.
Secret Behind the Logo:
The straightforward design in a round form conveys the meaning of unity and the company’s global reach. The three fingers upward “V” with the down facing “V” correlates with the company’s innovation and consumer satisfaction. The company’s goal provide the highest possible quality of cars for the public.
Peugeot – The Mighty Lion of Strength
Meaning:
The Peugeot logo has a lion, which is a symbol of strong will, survivability, and great-making skills.
Secret Behind the Logo:
The lion emblem dates back to Peugeot’s history as a manufacturer of high-quality iron tools in the early 19th century. It is a representation of strength and accuracy and a leap back into Franche-Comté.
Aston Martin – The Wings of Speed
Meaning:
Aston Martin’s logo incorporates a pair of wings spread outward as a sign of speed, elegance, and luxuriousness.
Secret Behind the Logo:
The wings are a tribute to the company’s quest for performance and excellence. It also has aviation as the starting point. The reflection of a blend of power and sophistication without any seams is in the design of the Aston Martin vehicles.
Lincoln – The Cross Star of Prestige
Meaning:
Lincoln’s logo consists of a long star cross that stands for dignity and elegance.
Secret Behind the Logo:
Henry Leland, who founded it in 1917, and President Abraham Lincoln, who were the creators of the logo. It stands for the long-lasting ambitions of the company to make superior, luxurious cars.
Lexus – The L of Luxury
Meaning:
Lexus's marking is a simple yet very elegant “L” inside the oval which implies high standards of precision, sophistication, and excellent performance.
Secret Behind the Logo:
The curved design means the brand's focus on luxury and innovation. The exact angles symbolize the careful crafts and the advanced engineering.
Cadillac – The Shield of Nobility
Meaning:
Cadillac's crest, which is a shield with a crown, is a tribute to the French explorer. Antoine Laumet de La Mothe and Sieur de Cadillac are the founders of Detroit.
Secret Behind the Logo:
The crown is the symbol of nobility and prestige, and the shield is the symbol of strength and the brand's commitment to quality. The past decades have been transformative for the design, but it is still a symbol of the luxury and heritage the brand emulates.
Chrysler – The Star of Global Reach
Meaning:
The Chrysler logo has a five-pointed star that represents the company's quest for innovation and progress.
Secret Behind the Logo:
This emblem is a tribute to his memory, Walter Chrysler, who was the company’s founder. Its five points symbolize its presence on five continents. It also shows Chrysler's determination to win and to be the best.
Suzuki – The Infinite Power of S
Meaning:
The letter “S” in Suzuki's red and bold form symbolizes motion and vitality.
Secret Behind the Logo:
The model’s shape and engineering aptitude are attributes that carry strength and resilience in design. The brand is committed to continuous innovation. The sharp design in angular elements marks the meticulous craftsmanship and advanced engineering.
Jaguar – The Leaping Big Cat
Meaning:
A big leaping jaguar is the symbol of the Jaguar logo reflecting speed, power, and gracefulness. These three features embody Jaguar cars.
Secret Behind the Logo:
Silver and black as the company's chosen colors show the feeling of luxury and exclusivity. The attention-grabbing image of the Jaguar captures the brand's outstanding performance in vehicle manufacturing.
Maserati – The Trident of Neptune
Meaning:
Maserati's trident logo is derived from Neptune's Fountain in Bologna. It symbolizes power and control over the waters.
Secret Behind the Logo:
The use of the trident connects to the strength associated with Neptune. The Italian roots of the brand further assert Maserati as a leader in luxury sports cars.
Bentley – The Flying B
Meaning:
Bentley’s Flying B logo represents speed, success, and exhilaration. The "B" for Bentley also has the connotation of freedom as the logo features a pair of wings.
Secret Behind the Logo:
The feather count in the wings differs from the standard to the limited-edition models. It means some are rarer than others.
Subaru – The Pleiades Star Cluster
Meaning:
The Subaru brand name features six stars representing the Pleiades star cluster. It refers to its parent company Fuji Heavy Industries, and its five subsidiaries.
Secret Behind the Logo:
In Japanese, “Subaru” means “to unite,” symbolizing the brand’s unification of technology and reliability.
Conclusion
Car logos serve as a powerful symbol of brand heritage, invention, and identity. Each logo of a car brand tells a unique story of automotive excellence and engineering. Learning what lies in the meaning of logos enhances our understanding of the automobile field. Thus, revealing the passion and creativity of legendary brands.
