Car logos are a fundamental aspect for both the product and the manufacturer: they determine brand recognition and have now become part of the popular imagination of car enthusiasts. Iconic symbols, such as Renault’s diamond shape or Alfa Romeo’s Biscione, have made cars instantly recognizable. Despite the inevitable restyling that all car logos undergo at some point, they have remained true to their origins over the decades.
However, few actually know what these car symbols truly mean. Often, their designs are a reflection of the history and origins of a particular brand. That’s why we’re offering you here a showcase of the most curious car logos and the reasons behind their unique designs.
Alfa Romeo: the Milanese
What does the Alfa Romeo emblem symbolize? It pays homage to the birthplace of the brand, the city and region of Milan.
On the left side of the logo is the red cross on a white background, the symbol of the city of Milan, while the right side features the Biscione, the distinctive emblem of the Visconti and Sforza family, who ruled the city for centuries.
Audi: the 4 rings
The iconic four rings of Audi symbolize the brand’s origins. Audi was born from the merger of four companies (Audi, Horch, DKW, and Wanderer), represented in the Audi logo as interlinked rings.
Initially, the logo was used only for Audi’s racing cars. It wasn’t until 1985 that the emblem appeared on the road cars we know today.
In 2017, after 23 years, the logo underwent its first change. A subtle update saw the rings lose their metallic 3D effect, transitioning to an all-black design.
In 2022, Audi introduced a second update with the new Q8 e-tron. The logo now features a modern two-dimensional design with a light gray finish and a black outline, offering a cleaner, more graphic aesthetic. But in China, the new AUDI (the caps lock matters) renounced to the rings.
BMW: the Blue Sky
The BMW emblem depicts a white and blue propeller. According to one interpretation, it represents an airplane propeller against a blue sky—a nod to the company’s origins in aircraft engine manufacturing.
A more likely explanation is that the logo is a tribute to the brand’s roots in Bavaria, with its colors reflecting the Bavarian flag’s blue-and-white checkerboard pattern.
Recently, BMW updated its logo by removing the black background in favor of a transparent one. The blue now appears closer to cerulean, and the text is entirely white, allowing for flexibility in how the logo integrates with different backgrounds.
This new design first appeared with the unveiling of the BMW Concept i4, an electric prototype.
Buick: the Shields
Like the company itself, which has transitioned from producing muscle cars capable of competing with the Corvette to modern crossovers, Buick’s logo has an interesting and varied history.
The first Buick logo, introduced in 1903, depicted Uncle Sam as large as the moon sailing across the globe. This design was abandoned after a year, replaced by simple gold lettering, then blue text, and later a burgundy shield featuring the coat of arms of Buick’s Scottish founder.
The shield design endured over time, and in 1960 Buick added two more shields to represent its model lineup at the time: the LeSabre, the Invicta, and the Electra. Despite a redesign unveiled in 2022, it is clear that the shield motif will persist, even in the electric vehicle era.
Cadillac: inspired by European Aristocracy
The Cadillac logo ranks among the most iconic of American luxury car brands. The current logo, introduced in 2014, reflects the company’s heritage and refinement.
Founded in 1902, Cadillac has updated its logo over 30 times.
Despite this, the crest has remained a constant feature, with minor adjustments to size and color. The emblem was inspired by the heraldic coat of arms of French adventurer Antoine de la Mothe, Sieur de Cadillac.
The latest redesign presents a crest with the word “Cadillac” below it. The logo is used both with and without the text, which is displayed in elegant black script.
Citroën: the Double Chevron
The Double Chevron, a hallmark of Citroën, reflects the brand’s history. Founded in 1919 by André Citroën, the company originally manufactured helical gears.
The Citroën emblem is a stylized representation of these gears. A simple yet iconic design steeped in history.
After the most recent update in 2016, Citroën revealed a new logo in September 2022, introducing a concept car to showcase the brand’s evolving style. This logo marks a return to the origins with a modern reinterpretation of the company’s first logo from 1919, adopting matte finishes and a contemporary color palette: neutral shades (white/gray), Infrarouge, and Blue Monte Carlo.
Chevrolet: the Cross
Chevrolet’s “bowtie” logo, last updated in 2013, is one of the most recognizable automotive emblems.
The first bowtie design was suggested by General Motors and Chevrolet co-founder William C. Durant in 1913.
The 2013 version features a gold-textured bowtie with a sleek chrome border, symbolizing strength (the cross) alongside quality and premium appeal.
Chrysler: the sophisticated wings
The Chrysler logo, known for its “wings,” has evolved significantly since 1925.
Over the years, the logo has represented speed, sophistication, and elegance. Today, it features stylized wings with the word “Chrysler” in white text. A 2023 update made the logo more minimalist by removing the blue background and further refining the wings.
Corvette: racing sportiness
When designing the iconic Corvette emblem, creators naturally drew inspiration from Chevrolet, which still markets the Corvette under its name as the Chevrolet Corvette.
The emblem originally included a racing checkered flag on one side and an American flag on the other.
However, due to restrictions on using the U.S. flag in commercial products, it was replaced with the Chevy bowtie and a fleur-de-lis, reflecting Louis Chevrolet’s French roots.
The Corvette emblem features two crossed poles with waving flags, symbolizing the brand’s racing heritage and elegance.
Cupra: a Tribal sport
The Cupra logo, representing the sporty brand born from Seat, embodies the bold character of its vehicles. With a tribal-inspired design, some liken it to the Shadowhunters symbol.
The inverted triangle is a nod to ancient tribal civilizations, symbolizing determination and courage.
For Cupra and the Volkswagen Group, the logo transcends its role as a symbol, becoming an emblem of belonging to a community or clan, echoing its tribal inspiration.
Dacia: Robust minimalism
Simplicity is part of Dacia’s DNA, including its logo. Until 2021, the Romanian brand’s emblem featured a shield with “Dacia” written on it, evolving from a blue-and-white design to a fully chrome look in the 2000s.
In 2021, aligning with the Renault Group’s direction, Dacia unveiled a new logo. The design is minimal, with a khaki green color reflecting a connection to nature and the robustness of its models.
The font is modern and blocky, while the logo—a stylized “X” formed by the D and C—conveys simplicity and functionality, consistent with Dacia’s focus on essentials.
Dodge: simple sport
Dodge’s current logo, introduced in 2009-2010 after the separation of RAM, consists of the word “Dodge” with two diagonal red stripes symbolizing passion and fun, aligning with the sporty nature of its cars.
Previous logos included a ram’s head for RAM trucks and a snake for the Viper. Dodge has changed its logo numerous times, from a star to an arrow and, originally, overlapping “D” and “B” letters.
DS: French elegance
The logo of DS Automobiles incorporates the initials of its name, Désirée Spéciale (Specially Desired), intertwined into an elegant signature.
Recent updates have focused on modernizing the lettering while maintaining a premium feel.
The DS brand strives for a modern, sophisticated identity, evident in its angular yet flowing logo design. Unlike the trend towards minimalism, DS retains chromatic elements to reinforce its luxury image.
Ferrari: the prancing horse
Among the most recognizable car logos is Ferrari’s Prancing Horse. This emblem also pays tribute to the brand’s homeland, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
The yellow background represents the city of Modena, where Ferrari is headquartered, while the Prancing Horse originates from the insignia of aviator ace Francesco Baracca. In the 1930s, Enzo Ferrari adopted it as a good-luck charm for his race cars.
Fiat: from Gold to Colours
Fiat is perhaps the automaker that has changed its logo the most frequently. Its latest minimalist logo was introduced with the Centoventi concept and debuted on the electric 500. Fiat has retired its red logo after nearly 20 years.
Founded in 1899 as a luxury car manufacturer for an elite clientele, Fiat’s earliest logo was an elaborate brass parchment inscribed with “Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino,” handcrafted to match the opulence of its vehicles during the Belle Époque.
Over the decades, the Fiat logo evolved significantly. From ornate designs reflecting Art Nouveau trends to its first circular design in 1921, it embraced simplicity in recent years. The newest iteration, introduced alongside the Centoventi, removes any background, focusing solely on the bold “Fiat” lettering, resembling the logo used until the 1950s. By 2023, the logo added color and a matte finish with four diagonal lines.
Ford and the blue Oval
Ford’s iconic Blue Oval symbolizes strength, precision, and grace, while the white lettering conveys elegance and purity.
The latest iteration, unveiled with the F-150 facelift in 2023, features a darker shade of blue and eliminates chrome accents for simpler white borders. Despite these updates, the emblem remains timeless in its classic shape.
GMC: Work Hard
The GMC logo represents the brand’s focus on heavy-duty vehicles like SUVs, buses, vans, light trucks, and electric pickups.
The squared lines of the logo convey strength, while the three letters symbolize practicality and straightforwardness.
Honda: intimacy and safety
For its first 20 years, Honda seemed to lack a distinct logo. However, even its earliest products featured a stylized “H.” The “H” not only stands for “Honda” but also evokes intimacy and safety, inspired by the shape of a classic armchair, reflecting the comfort of Honda’s two-wheelers and later, its cars.
Honda’s logo has remained consistent, combining the “H-chair” with a wing to represent lightness and speed—an homage to its roots in motorcycles. Recent updates follow the trend of two-dimensional design.
Hyundai: a pleasure to meet you
“Hyundai” translates to “modern era” in Korean, reflected in its oval logo encapsulating an “H” that symbolizes global expansion. Introduced in 1991, the current “H” also represents two people shaking hands—Hyundai and its customers.
The logo’s modern updates include the adoption of Hyundai blue and a shift to two-dimensional graphics, aligning with the brand’s advanced technological and global presence.
Jaguar: no more Jaguars
Jaguar’s logo traces back to 1922 when the company was known as Swallow Sidecar Company (SS). In 1945, to distance itself from wartime connotations, the brand rebranded as Jaguar, adopting the leaping jaguar as its emblem.
The jaguar signifies speed, style, and sportiness. The logo alternates between the leaping jaguar and a circular badge featuring the feline’s head, both evoking power and sophistication.
From 2024, Jaguar came out with a new identity, based more on letters and gold to be more inclusive and colorful. The new logo has a new font, inspired more to jewery than car industry.
Jeep: an Icon
Jeep’s logo is one of the simplest and most minimalist among American automakers.
Founded in 1943, the logo has undergone changes, but the name “Jeep” remains central. Earlier versions featured a star or circular emblem. Since 1993, the logo has been a clean wordmark, reflecting Jeep’s military history with a camouflage green design, later replaced by black and white for a more modern look.
Kia: the movement
KIA’s logo, known for its minimalism, reflects its global ambitions. The name itself conveys its roots: “Ki” means “to rise” in Korean, and “A” represents Asia.
In 2021, KIA introduced a transformative new logo—eliminating the oval and adopting a modern, handwritten-like font. This update coincided with the brand’s new slogan, “Movement that inspires,” encapsulating KIA’s evolution in design and commitment to electrification.
Koenigsegg: Swedish noblemen
The Koenigsegg logo shares a conceptual similarity with Alfa Romeo’s in its use of heraldry.
It is a shield inspired by the Koenigsegg family coat of arms, which dates back to the 12th century. The ghostly emblem in the Koenigsegg logo is a nod to the Swedish Air Force squadron based at the same airbase as the Koenigsegg factory. This squadron uses the ghost as its insignia, commemorating their shared heritage.
Lancia: the purity of form
Lancia is a brand that has changed its logo seven times over its long and winding history.
The first logo, used from 1906 to 1911, featured golden cursive writing, with the leg of the final “A” connected to the flourish of the initial “L.”
In 1911, designer Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia introduced a significant change that served as the foundation for future versions. The “Lancia” text remained in gold but switched to a smaller, block font on a blue background, accompanied on the left by an elegant lance. Behind it was a circular element representing a steering wheel, divided by a four-part cross.
In 1929, the logo underwent a minor redesign, placing the 1911 logo within a blue shield.
From 1957 to 1974, the emblem became more elegant and chromed, abandoning the flat look for a three-dimensional metallic one. The gold was removed, but the blue background remained, and the lance on the left was rendered in metallic color.
From 1974 to 2007, the longest-lasting logo returned to its origins, referencing the design introduced in 1929. Minimalism made a comeback, along with the steering wheel divided by a cross and the blue lance. The font changed again, with all letters of equal size.
From 2007 to 2022, the logo created by Robilant Associati debuted at the Geneva Motor Show with the Delta. The steering wheel was restyled with a chromed design and two sharp points replacing the cross. The lance and the flag were removed for a cleaner design.
Finally, on November 28, 2022, during the Lancia Design Day, the brand unveiled the Pu+Ra sculpture, previewing its new stylistic forms alongside the latest logo. This design revisits the 1929–1957 logo with a modern twist.
The font is now more contemporary, with wider characters. The flag framing the lettering and the lance, now far more minimal, return, stretching the entire left side. The circular element is also back, though without the cross.
Lincoln: a Rising star
Lincoln, Ford’s luxury brand, is named in honor of Abraham Lincoln.
The logo, modeled after a star, has been in use since 1964. While its meaning is debated, one theory suggests it represents a compass, symbolizing Lincoln’s ambition to sell luxury vehicles worldwide. Another theory associates the star with luxury and prestige, reflecting the brand’s excellence.
Lexus: mathematical luxury
Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand, was officially launched on January 2, 1988. The name “Lexus” was chosen from 219 suggestions, including “Verone,” “Chaparel,” and “Alexis.”
Interestingly, Alexis was the final choice, but an internal misunderstanding led to “Lexus,” which resonated better. It was later interpreted as a blend of “Luxury” and “Elegance,” reflecting the brand’s essence.
The simple, memorable logo—a stylized “L” inside an oval—was developed by Molly Design and Hunter Communications. According to Toyota, its design follows a precise mathematical formula, though the specifics remain undisclosed.
Lucid Motors: simple modernity
Lucid, a newer brand, features a minimalist logo with a sleek and modern font.
The elegant typeface aligns with Lucid’s focus on technology and refined design.
Maserati: the trident
The Maserati emblem pays homage to its roots. The Trident logo was designed by Mario Maserati, an artist from the family that founded the company. The symbol was inspired by Neptune’s trident, a defining icon of Bologna.
The emblem first appeared on Maserati’s inaugural car, the Tipo 26, produced in 1926—nearly a century ago.
Mazda: growth and improvement
The current Mazda logo has been in use since 1997, featuring a design that blends the symbolism of wings, representing “growth” and “improvement,” with the letter M (for Mazda). This symbolizes the brand’s continuous drive for growth and progress, along with a flexible and creative philosophy.
Now globally recognized, an updated version was introduced in 2015, featuring a silver finish with a blue outline, alongside a deeper silver version of the badge.
Mercedes: the Star
Among the most popular car logos is the Mercedes star. Its three points symbolize natural elements: land, air, and water. While the connection to automobiles isn’t immediate, it exists.
The elements represent the terrains where Mercedes engines excel, emphasizing the brand’s performance—a hallmark of Mercedes vehicles.
Mini: the winged wheel
Founded in 1959 during a fuel crisis, MINI achieved instant success thanks to its compact design, low maintenance costs, and fuel efficiency.
The name “MINI” derives from the Latin “MINIMUM,” meaning “the smallest.” Initially, MINI was a car produced by the British Motor Corporation, formed by merging Austin and Morris. Both brands influenced MINI’s logo.
Austin’s logo featured a wheel at the top, symbolizing control, with dust and wings representing speed, and a front wheel signifying motion. Morris’s logo depicted a red and blue circle with an ox crossing the River Isis in Oxford.
The first true MINI logo appeared in 1969 when MINI became an independent brand after British Leyland’s merger with Jaguar. Over time, British Leyland transitioned to the Rover Group, which sold MINI to BMW in 1994.
The MINI logo, in all its versions, recalls Austin’s legacy. It features a winged wheel with “MINI” at its center. In 2015, MINI radically simplified its logo, removing the background and refining its lines. A new font, “MINI Serif,” was introduced, reflecting the brand’s shift toward electric mobility.
Nio: The Horizon
Simple and distinctive is also the Nio logo, the “Tesla of the East.”
The design symbolizes the sun rising on the horizon, a symbol of the rise and innovation brought by the Chinese brand.
Nissan: the Rising Sun
The name Nissan first appeared in 1934, replacing Datsun after Jidosha Seizo Company’s acquisition. “Nissan” pays tribute to Japan, often called the Land of the Rising Sun: “Ni” means “sun,” and “(s)san” means “birth.”
Nissan’s original logo mirrored its current design, with a blue rectangle (representing the brand name) atop a red circle symbolizing the rising sun. The design also referenced “Datsun,” with “Dat” representing its three founders—Den, Aoyama, and Takuchi—and “Sun” signifying the sun.
Nissan was one of the first brands to adopt a flat logo for digital applications. The latest version, entirely two-dimensional, replaces the rectangle with two semi-circles, evoking the previous design’s rectangle.
Opel: the Blitz
Opel’s lightning bolt logo originates from its German heritage. The symbol features a circle topped by a lightning bolt, called “Blitz” in German.
“Blitz” was also the name of Opel’s first bicycle model. Since then, the brand has evolved significantly, but the lightning bolt remains its iconic symbol.
Recently, Opel introduced a matte version of its logo, first seen on a neon yellow background. In June 2023, the logo underwent another redesign: the Blitz became larger and more central, while the yellow background was replaced with white and blue, colors often associated with lightning.
The new logo will debut at the 2023 Munich Auto Show and appear on all Opel cars from 2024.
Peugeot: the Lion
The Lion emblem, the iconic symbol of Peugeot, draws inspiration from the Franche-Comté region.
According to French history, it was designed in 1847 by a jeweler named Justin Blazer from Montbéliard, who was commissioned to create a tasteful, timeless brand symbol for Peugeot products, which initially were not automobiles but tools like saws and blades.
The Lion was chosen to represent the three defining qualities of Peugeot’s products:
- The flexibility of the backbone, akin to the blade’s adaptability.
- The speed of the cut, likened to the Lion’s swiftness.
- The teeth, symbolizing the durability and strength of their tools.
Two years later, the original lion silhouette was added, depicted in profile to signify a clear direction. This design differentiated it from the heraldic lion of Franche-Comté, which is shown in a rampant pose.
In 1925, the lion’s stance evolved to appear more dynamic, initially with an extended paw and later in a fully rampant pose. From 1948 onward, the lion was depicted standing on its hind legs.
On February 25, 2021, Peugeot introduced a completely revamped logo. The classic profile lion was replaced by a sleek and minimalist crest featuring a majestic lion’s head, accompanied by the brand name “Peugeot” in a new font.
This reimagined logo followed a decade of transformation for Peugeot, marked by stylistic and technological innovations and its merger with Fiat to form the Stellantis group.
Polestar: the North Star
Simple and quintessentially Scandinavian, Polestar’s logo reflects its name.
It features a stylized North Star, which some say resembles Citroën’s Double Chevron logo but with a different arrangement. On vehicles, the emblem can appear as metallic or body-colored, seamlessly integrated with the car’s design.
Porsche: The Crest
Porsche has introduced a “new” logo, a light restyling from June 2023 of the design introduced 15 years ago. The Porsche logo remains the classic crest featuring bronze, black, and red colors, with the prancing horse inspired by the German city’s emblem.
The updates include a slightly more minimalist look, a honeycomb pattern added to the red sections, and a new metallic finish that enhances the logo’s premium feel. The word “Stuttgart” appears above the horse, reintroduced after being absent in the previous version.
The new logo will be featured on Porsche models available from late 2023 and is expected to debut on a yet-to-be-revealed concept car.
Renault: The Losange
One of the most iconic car logos, Renault’s “Losange” (diamond), has been a hallmark of the French brand since 1925. The shape was chosen for its simplicity and evolved over the decades, culminating in the current diamond design introduced in the early 1970s, during the era of the legendary Renault 4.
In 2021, as part of the “Renaulution” industrial plan, Renault unveiled a new version of the diamond logo. Showcased prominently behind CEO Luca de Meo and on the Renault 5 Prototype, the logo has since been progressively adopted across the brand. The updated flat and minimal design evokes the 1970s logo but is modernized to reflect the digital age.
Gilles Vidal, Renault’s Design Director, remarked, “Modern and in tune with the times, the redesigned diamond embodies Renault’s ‘Nouvelle vague’ era.” The flat design facilitates animation in digital media and vehicle welcome sequences. It will be fully integrated into Renault’s lineup by 2024.
Rivian: a directional logo
Rivian, an emerging electric vehicle company, has an intricate “directional logo” featuring four arrows.
The outer arrows symbolize the brand’s mission to improve the world through innovation and adventure, while the inner arrows represent inspiration and inclusivity.
Seat: Sportiness and design
The history of Seat’s logo parallels its origins as a Fiat subsidiary, importing Italian models to Spain. Early logos included the phrase “Licencia Fiat” and bore similarities to Fiat’s designs, including circular badges and later, the four-block square format.
In 1982, following Volkswagen’s acquisition, Seat introduced the stylized “S” logo with diagonal lines, symbolizing speed and dynamism. Initially blue, then chrome, the design marked Seat’s independent identity under VW Group.
Skoda: Inspired by native Americans
Škoda’s first vehicles bore elliptical badges with “Škoda” at the center. In 1922, the brand introduced its iconic “winged arrow” logo, inspired by Native American headdresses and arrows. The design was chosen from a contest among employees.
The logo evolved from a five-feather headdress to the three-feather version in 1926. After Volkswagen acquired Škoda, a modernized version debuted in 1993, with minor updates until 2022, when the brand revealed a new minimalist and flat iteration. The modern logo reflects Škoda’s digital transformation and updated brand identity.
Tesla: the Innovation
Tesla’s logo is one of the most stylized in the automotive industry.
It resembles a “T,” but it also represents a pole of an electric motor rotor, with the line above symbolizing a stator. The logo remains unchanged, although newer vehicles, like the updated Model 3, feature the Tesla name spelled out in spaced lettering, aligning with contemporary design trends.
Toyota: the 3 ellipses
Toyota’s logo, featuring three ellipses, was introduced in 1989 and adopted officially in 1991. The design symbolizes the connection between the company and its customers, with the outer oval representing technological innovation.
Recent changes include a flat, matte design that aligns with modern branding trends, shedding the three-dimensional look and red “Toyota” script for simplicity.
Volkswagen: very simple
Volkswagen’s logo, featuring a “V” above a “W” within a circle, has remained consistent in concept since its inception. Designed by engineer Franz Reimspiess, it reflects the brand’s philosophy as “the people’s car.”
Modern updates have replaced the silver accents with a flat blue design, aligning with the brand’s technological and digital evolution. The logo now integrates seamlessly with illuminated LED features and digital branding.
Volvo: strong as Iron
Volvo’s logo incorporates the ancient symbol for iron, reflecting the brand’s focus on strength and safety.
In 2021, the logo underwent significant simplification, maintaining the core iron symbol but adopting a minimal and modern design, eliminating the horizontal bar.
Zenvo: Thor’s Hammer
Zenvo also gets its badge of honor, as the only Danish car manufacturer. For those who may not know, this small Scandinavian handcrafted gem produces exclusive, limited-production hypercars, and its latest creation is the Aurora.
Inside the badge, alongside the “Zenvo” name, is Thor’s hammer — a nod to Norse mythology but also a symbol of the electrified power of these remarkable vehicles.
