A car emblem is not just a decoration on the hood or radiator grill. It tells the story of the brand, reflects its philosophy and often contains hidden symbols that most drivers are not even aware of. For example, did you know that the logo BMW does not copy a rotating propeller (as many believe), but is stylized as a Bavarian flag? Or what's the logo Peugeot originally depicted a lion standing on an arrow - a symbol of strength and speed?
In this article we have collected complete collection of car brand emblems - from legendary giants to niche manufacturers. Each image is accompanied name in Russian, a brief history of the logo and interesting facts. You'll learn how to recognize a brand by its logo silhouette, what colors and shapes mean, and how logos have evolved over the last 100 years. We will pay special attention common mistakes in identifying emblems - for example, why Audi often confused with Lexus, and Infiniti with Mitsubishi.
How car emblems work: symbols and their meanings
Most automaker logos are divided into three main categories:
- 🏛️ Heraldic - based on the coats of arms of cities or families (example: Mercedes-Benz with a three-pointed star, symbolizing dominance on land, water and air).
- 🔤 Abbreviations — abbreviations of company names (VW from Volkswagen, SEAT from Sociedad Española de Automóviles de Turismo).
- 🎨 Abstract - unique graphic symbols without direct connection with the name (Toyota with three ovals, Hyundai with a stylized letter "H").
The color palette is also not random. For example, blue associated with reliability (Ford, Volvo), red - with energy (Ferrari, Alfa Romeo), and silver/chrome emphasizes premium (Mercedes, Lexus). I wonder what Lamborghini chose a golden bull on a black background in honor of the zodiac sign of the founder Ferruccio Lamborghini - Taurus.
Many emblems contain hidden details, noticeable only upon close examination. For example:
- 🔍 In the logo Toyota three ovals form the letter "T", and their intersection symbolizes trust between the company and the client.
- 🔍 Emblem Subaru depicts the Pleiades star cluster - a reference to the Japanese name of the brand ("Subaru" means "Pleiades").
- 🔍 Logo Mazda stylized with wings representing flight and freedom, as well as the letter "M" in the center.
Premium brand emblems: luxury in details
Premium cars differ not only in price, but also unique emblems, which are often made by hand. For example, a logo Rolls-Royce - these are two letters "R", intertwined to create the illusion of infinity. And the emblem Bentley with the letter "B" and wings (symbol of speed) until 2021 had 100,000 hand-finished options!
| Brand | Description of the emblem | Interesting fact |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz | Three-pointed star in a circle | The star symbolizes the three elements (earth, water, air), where the brand strives for leadership. Circle added in 1937 after merging with Daimler-Benz. |
| BMW | Black circle with white sectors | The contrasting colors are a tribute to the Bavarian flag (white and blue), and not to the propeller, as many people think. The logo was registered in 1917. |
| Audi | Four intertwined rings | Symbolizes the merger of four companies (Audi, DKW, Horch, Wanderer>) in 1932. One of the rings was originally red. |
| Lexus | Stylized letter "L" in an oval | The oval symbolizes perfection, and the space inside the "L" forms the shape of the steering wheel. The logo took 5 years to develop! |
Emblems of premium brands are often the subject of fakes. For example, a logo Porsche (the horse on the coat of arms of Stuttgart) is sometimes copied with errors in proportions or colors. The original emblem has black and red shield with golden horns and horse hooves, and the inscription "Porsche" in font Akzidenz Grotesk.
To check the authenticity of a premium car emblem, pay attention to the quality of the metal (originals are often made of stainless steel with laser engraving) and fastening - counterfeit badges usually have plastic latches.
Japanese car emblems: minimalism and hidden meaning
Japanese manufacturers are famous laconic and memorable logos, where each element has a deep meaning. For example, the logo Toyota consists of three ovals: the two inner ones form the letter “T”, and the outer one symbolizes the global presence of the brand. In this case, the space between the ovals resembles rice stalk - a tribute to Japanese traditions.
Logo Honda is a stylized letter "H" in a rectangle, but few people know that it also resembles hugs, symbolizing care for customers. And the emblem Mitsubishi (three diamonds) is based on the family crest of founder Yataro Iwasaki - three oak leaves folded together.
Why does Nissan have two logos?
Until 2020, the brand used two options: a round badge with the name “NISSAN” for mass models and a stylized word “Nissan” (without a circle) for premium cars. Now the company is gradually abandoning the round emblem in favor of a minimalist logo.
Fun fact: emblem Subaru - the only one in the world that accurately copies a star cluster. The six stars in the logo correspond to the stars visible to the naked eye in the Pleiades. At the same time, one star (Alcyone) is always depicted larger than the others - this is a reference to the main model of the brand.
European emblems: from coats of arms to abstraction
European automakers often take inspiration from historical coats of arms and local symbols. For example, a logo Volkswagen are stylized letters "V" and "W" in a circle, where "V" stands for Volks (people), and "W" - Wagen (car). And the emblem Peugeot has evolved from a lion on an arrow (1847) to the modern stylized lion profile.
Some European logos contain geographical references:
- 🗺️ Alfa Romeo: the red cross on the snake is the symbol of the Duke of Milan, and the snake devours a man (the legend of Visconti).
- 🗺️ Volvo: The sign of Mars (♂) and the circle are symbols of iron and the planet associated with strength.
- 🗺️ Renault: a diamond with wavy lines - a stylized image of the Seine River (where the first factory was located).
☑️ How to recognize a fake European emblem
The logos of some European brands have changed due to political reasons. For example, a logo Opel (lightning in a circle) was temporarily replaced in the 1930s by an eagle - a symbol of Nazi Germany. A Citroën used double chevrons (a reference to gears) until 1991, but then simplified the design to two silver arrows.
American and Korean emblems: dynamics and innovations
American automakers often choose dynamic and aggressive logos, reflecting the power of their cars. For example, the logo Ford is a stylized signature of Henry Ford made in 1907. A logo Chevrolet (the famous "bow tie"), according to legend, was drawn by co-creator William Durant on a napkin in 1913.
Korean brands, on the contrary, rely on minimalism and technology:
- 🇰🇷 Hyundai: The stylized letter "H" symbolizes two people (company and client) shaking hands.
- 🇰🇷 Kia: An oval with a "K" and a red accent - a reference to the word "Kia" (Chinese for "coming out of Asia into the world").
- 🇰🇷 Genesis: two intersecting wings - a symbol of a new beginning (the brand has separated from Hyundai in 2015).
Interestingly, the emblem Tesla is not just a stylized "T". According to Elon Musk, she also represents motor cross section, where the upper arc is the rotor and the lower arc is the stator. Moreover, the logo is specially made in minimalist designto highlight the brand's technology.
American pickup truck emblems (eg. Ford F-150 or Chevrolet Silverado) are often oversized and chrome-plated - this is a marketing ploy that emphasizes the “masculinity” and reliability of the car.
Chinese and Indian emblems: the rise of new brands
Chinese automakers are actively conquering the global market, and their emblems reflect desire for global recognition. For example, a logo Geely are six silver waves symbolizing dynamics and international expansion. And the emblem BYD (Build Your Dreams) is stylized as a battery - a reference to the brand's electric cars.
Indian brands often use national symbols:
- 🇮🇳 Tata Motors: stylized letter "T" in a blue oval - a symbol of trust (
"Trust"). - 🇮🇳 Mahindra: The red icon with the letter "M" in a white circle is a reference to the Indian flag.
Fun fact: emblem Changan (Chinese: "eternal change") depicts a stylized letter "V" and wings, which symbolizes victory (Victory) and flight. At the same time, the brand uses two versions of the logo: for the domestic market (with Chinese characters) and for export (only in Latin).
How to download car emblems in high quality
If you need original emblem images for printed materials, design or educational purposes, it is important to use legal sources. Here are proven methods:
- Official websites of manufacturers: Most brands provide logos in the Press Kit or Media section. For example, Toyota offers logos in the format
SVGon the page pressroom.toyota.com. - Stock photo banks: on Shutterstock, Adobe Stock or Getty Images you can buy licensed images of emblems in resolutions up to
5000×5000 px. - Wikipedia: Many logos are uploaded in high quality with links to sources (check the license!).
When downloading emblems, pay attention to the format: SVG suitable for web design (scalable without loss of quality), and PNG with a transparent background - for printing.
⚠️ Attention: Using logos without the permission of the copyright holder may violate trademark law (Article 1484 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation). For example, in 2022 Mercedes-Benz filed a lawsuit against a Russian company for the unauthorized use of a three-pointed star on souvenir products. The fine was 1.5 million rubles.
If you need a logo for personal use (for example, for a sticker on a laptop), you can use free resources:
- 🖼️ Logodownload.org — a collection of logos in the format
PNG(check the license!). - 🖼️ Worldvectorlogo.com — vector logos in
SVG(many brands allow non-commercial use).
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about car emblems
Why do some cars have the emblem on the front and others on the back?
The placement of the logo depends on design concept brand:
- 🚗 Front: most European and American brands (BMW, Mercedes, Ford>) place the logo on the grille - this is a historical tradition dating back to the beginning of the 20th century.
- 🚘 Rear: Japanese and Korean brands (Toyota, Hyundai) often duplicate the emblem on the trunk lid for better identification in traffic.
- 🚙 Side: some sports cars (Porsche 911) have emblems on the front wings - this is a tribute to racing traditions.
Exception: Tesla It has no external emblems at all - only an inscription on the trunk. This is part of Elon Musk's philosophy about minimalism.
Which logo is the oldest among automakers?
The oldest logo belongs to Mercedes-Benz - the three-pointed star was patented in 1909 (registered as a trademark in 1911). However, the most ancient symbol, still used today, is the emblem Peugeot:
- 1847: logo with a lion on an arrow (symbol of saw-files - tools that the company produced).
- 1905: The first automobile logo is a lion's head on a radiator.
- 1965: modern version with a stylized lion.
I wonder what Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (predecessor Mercedes) originally used the emblem with four-pointed star (1890), but later simplified it to three rays.
Is it possible to make an emblem for your car yourself without breaking the law?
Yes, but with reservations:
- Non-commercial use: you can make unique emblem for a personal car, if it does not copy registered trademarks. For example, stylized initials or an abstract drawing.
- Parodies: The law allows parodies of logos as long as they are not misleading. For example, a logo that says "Tesla" with a carrot instead of a "T" could be considered humorous.
- Prohibited: use original logos other brands (even if you slightly changed them) - this violates Art. 1484 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation ("Exclusive right to a trademark").
⚠️ Attention: If you are planning to sell a car with a homemade emblem, this may raise questions for the buyer or even cause refusal to register to the traffic police (if the emblem covers the VIN or manufacturer’s details).
Why do some emblems glow at night?
Luminous emblems are marketing ploy, which appeared in the 1990s. Technologies:
- 💡 Electroluminescent: They use a special film that glows under voltage (example: Audi in the 2000s).
- 💡 LED: modern emblems (BMW, Mercedes) are equipped with micro-LEDs that turn on along with the headlights.
- 💡 Phosphorous: coating that glows after being "charged" with daylight (used in the 1980s on some Cadillac).
Nowadays, luminous emblems are often installed on electric cars - this visually emphasizes their “futurism”. For example, BMW i4 has an illuminated logo that changes color depending on the driving mode.
What emblems are most often counterfeited?
According to Interpol, the leaders in counterfeiting are:
- Mercedes-Benz - due to the high cost of original emblems (up to
15,000 rub.for the chrome badge). - BMW - fake emblems often have inaccurate sector proportions.
- Audi — the rings on counterfeit badges are often not symmetrical.
- Ferrari - fakes are usually made of plastic instead of metal.
- Toyota - popular among “tuned” cars, where the original emblem is replaced with a “sports” version.
⚠️ Attention: Fake logos may fall off at high speed (due to poor quality glue) or rust (if made of cheap metal). Original icons covered anti-corrosion layer and are attached to special latches.