One automaker has a sharp logo design that pierces through the bland emblems of its competitors. Want to take a stab at which automaker we’re talking about? The Maserati company was founded in December 1914 by the brothers Maserati. Unlike other popular brothers in automotive history, there were not two or three Maserati brothers, but a whopping […]
The Volkswagen emblem has become so recognizable over the years that the company is often referred to simply by the initials on the logo: VW. The Volkswagen Automobile Company–founded in Wolfsburg, Germany in May 1937–has become one of the top auto makers in the world and remained so for nearly a century. But where did […]
Back in 1903, the world changed forever when the legendary Henry Ford began his own automotive company in Dearborn, Michigan. Today, the brand has over 100 manufacturing facilities across more than 30 countries, with every model parading the iconic blue oval. But where did the design for this “hallmark for reliability and economy” come from? […]
Few automotive logos carry the legacy of luxury and prestige more than the Lincoln emblem. For decades, the premium automaker has presented its star-like logo as a symbol of its premium class. Even after half a century, Lincoln’s cross-sectional rectangle stands out among dozens of other badges on the road. But where did it come […]
As the first automaker to use a Japanese word as its name, Subaru has established a universal brand identity thanks to global use of its six-star emblem. Have you ever wondered what those stars represent, and where the automaker got its name? Related: Could the 2017 Subaru Impreza be a game-changer for the sedan market? […]
Despite being purchased by Fiat and forming a new corporation, Chrysler’s iconic logos still persist in our memory to this day–especially the company’s signature Pentastar. But what do Chrysler’s logos mean? You’ll be surprised to discover they’re not what you think. [wptab name=’Ribbon Logo’] Chrysler’s “Seal of Approval” Back when Chrysler began in the 1920s, […]
There are boring automotive logos–like the completely uncreative Kia badge–and there are clever ones– like the many hidden messages in Toyota’s emblem. Then there are a couple automotive logos that are just…weird. [wptab name=’Cross Explanation’] Have you ever taken a close look at Alfa Romeo‘s badge, specifically the right portion showing a giant snake devouring a […]
If you had to pick the most boring automotive brand logo on the road today, you might think of Honda’s simplistic “H” or Nissan’s hamburger-shaped badge…but most likely you’re going to choose Kia’s text-based oval. Apart from the horizontal line of the “A” missing, there’s nothing terribly creative about the design–at least Ford’s emblem has […]
German automaker Audi is known for producing lavish, fun-to-drive vehicles–all of which have a four-ring silver badge on their grilles. What does this curious logo represent? Speculation runs rampant–some people suspect it’s four wheels or has something to do with the Olympic rings (since the World Olympic Committee challenged the automaker in trademark court). But […]
For the past 85 years, Volvo has adorned its signature diagonal bar across its vehicles’ radiator grilles with the same badge: a silver circle with an arrow pointing out diagonally (northeast). If you’ve ever stopped and looked at it, you might have realized this is the icon typically used to identify male gender. Why would the […]
Toyota takes a lot of pride in its current logo, even attributing much of the company’s success to the recognizable emblem. This pride is well-founded, as the company’s emblem quickly became one of the most recognizable automotive logos around the globe. The Japanese automaker put a lot of thought into its name and emblem, including […]
Greek and Roman mythology has influenced our culture immeasurably. From the names we use in pop culture to the themes and phrases in our writing, the tales of old have remained with us for millennia. We see these archetypes appear even in the automotive industry. Take, for instance, the Mercury brand. Ever wonder what influenced the […]
You see automotive emblems adorning the grilles and trunks of vehicles every day, but do you ever wonder where they come from? The latest study in our Behind the Badge series uncovers the fascinating story of the Lexus name and its connection to the Lexus logo. Read on to learn something new about your favorite […]
Few automotive emblems are as recognizable and revered as the ram’s head logo. Although it started off as the badge on Dodge vehicles and has since become the symbol adorning RAM trucks, the history of Dodge logos goes back much further than the horned mammal. Many fascinating, mysterious logos have been used by Dodge throughout […]
Oldsmobile has the most intriguing story behind its logo compared to any other auto brand. It’s tied heavily to the company’s history, its innovations, and its last-minute attempt at rebirth. The defunct automaker’s 100-year legacy can be traced through its drastically-changing logos. However, all traces of the automaker’s final logo is strangely absent from its models. Can this baffling […]
In the imaginative and diverse world of automotive logos, Honda’s isn’t the most unique. Essentially, it is a big “H”—and it’s not a mystery what the letter stands for. It’s like what Superindendent Chalmers said after realizing the “H” badge had been stolen off his vehicle in The Simpsons episode, “Lisa’s Date with Destiny”: The […]
I’ve seen the rise and fall of the Saturn brand, and–frankly–its logo has always stuck out to me. For only being around 25 years, Saturn made waves in the automotive industry. Its short-lived enterprise truly lived up to its slogan of being “A Different Kind of Car Company.” That phrase easily applied to its odd emblem […]
When an automaker designs its official logo to brand its vehicles, its documents, and its advertisements, a lot of thought is put into the symbol that will represent the company. Some automotive logos are more abstract (like BMW’s) while others seem fairly straightforward–mind you, they only seem straightforward. Take Hyundai, for instance. Everyone recognizes the […]