The Chinese auto industry has made a breakthrough over the past 5 years: if earlier cars from the Middle Kingdom were associated with cheap copies of Japanese models, today Chinese brands compete with European giants in design, technology and even premium quality. But how to understand this diversity if the emblems on the hood look equally abstract? This article will help you recognize Geely, BYD, Changan and other brands by logo - without confusing associations and speculation.
We have analyzed evolution of the emblems of 30+ Chinese automakers for 2010–2026, identified patterns in design (for example, why are there so many logos in the shape of a shield or stylized letters) and collected relevant photos of symbols. Particular attention was paid to brands that are already officially sold in Russia - you will see their emblems on the streets most often. And for those who are planning a purchase, we added practical checklist to check the originality of the logo (counterfeits are found even among dealers!).
Why Chinese Emblems Are So Similar: 3 Key Trends
At first glance the logos Haval, Chery and Great Wall They differ only in shades of blue. But if you look closely, you will notice common features that unite most Chinese car emblems:
- 🛡️ Shield or oval shape — symbolizes reliability and protection (used by 60% of brands). Example: Changan (stylized shield with a wave), FAW (oval badge with wings).
- 🔴 Red and blue colors — the national palette of China. Red is associated with luck, blue with technology. Exception: BYD uses green (environmentally friendly).
- 🅰️ Stylized letters instead of abbreviations. For example, a logo Geely — it’s not just “G”, but six mountain peaks (a reference to the brand’s hometown).
Interestingly, until 2015, many Chinese brands copied the emblems of European competitors (for example, the logo Lifan reminded BMW). But after plagiarism laws became stricter, designers moved to abstract forms with hidden meaning. Yes, the emblem NIO is a stylized sky and earth (blue + green), which reflects the brand’s philosophy of the harmony of technology and nature.
Top 10 Chinese emblems you will find in Russia (2026)
This section contains only those brands that are officially represented on the Russian market or have large dealer networks. We sorted them by popularity among buyers (data Autostat for the 1st quarter of 2026). Please note: some brands, e.g. Zeekr (premium division Geely), they are just starting deliveries, but their emblems are already appearing on the roads.
| Brand | Emblem (description) | Year of rebranding | Hidden meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geely | Silver shield with six mountains | 2021 | The mountains symbolize the brand's hometown - Hangzhou, surrounded by six hills |
| Changan | Blue oval with white wave | 2020 | Wave - the Yangtze River, on the banks of which the plant is located |
| Haval | Blue shield with silver letter "H" | 2013 | "H" stands for "Hero" and "High-tech" |
| BYD | Green-blue ellipse with white line | 2022 | Symbolizes the connection of sky (blue) and earth (green) - a reference to environmentally friendly technologies |
| Chery | Silver letter "A" in a blue oval | 2018 | “A” is the first letter of the word “Auto”, the oval is the globality of the brand |
⚠️ Attention: If you see the logo Lifan (three silver rings) on a new car, this is a reason to be wary. The brand officially left the Russian market in 2022, and such cars will most likely gray imports no warranty. Check VIN through service vin.avtocod.ru.
How to distinguish an original emblem from a fake: 5 signs
Fake emblems are found not only on “gray” cars, but also on cars purchased from official dealers. Fraudsters replace original badges with cheap copies to save on parts. Here's how to spot it:
The paint is dull or peeling (the original is a metallic gloss)
Fastening with double-sided tape (must have screws or latches)
The logo is offset from the center (check with a ruler)
There is no engraving with the part code on the back side
The color does not match the official brand palette (example: BYD green – Pantone 348 C)-->
Emblems are especially often counterfeited. Geely and Haval - because of their popularity. For example, the original logo Geely has six clearly defined mountain peaks with gaps between them, and in fakes they often merge into one mass. To check, take a close-up photo of the emblem and compare it with the official images on the brand’s website.
Use the app Color Grab (Android/iOS) to accurately determine the shade of the logo. Compare it with the reference color from the brand’s catalog (usually listed in the “Design” section on the official website).
Evolution of emblems: how the design changed from 2000 to 2026
Chinese automakers often update their logos in an effort to distance themselves from the image of "cheap cars." Let's look at the most noticeable transformations:
- 🚗 Geely: Until 2010, the logo was a simple abbreviation "GELY" in a blue oval. After the rebranding, mountains appeared - a symbol of premiumness.
- ⚡ BYD: In the 2000s, the logo resembled a battery (a reference to batteries). From 2022, an abstract ellipse emphasizing the transition to electric vehicles.
- 🏔️ Great Wall: Until 2016, the emblem was a stylized Great Wall of China. Now - a minimalistic letter "G" in a square.
Interesting fact: brand Hongqi (premium division FAW) returned its historical emblem of 1958 - a red flag with a yellow star. This is part of a promotion strategy in the European market, where nostalgic design is perceived as a sign of quality.
Why do Chinese brands often change their logos?
The main reason is the desire to enter global markets. For example, Chery in 2018, simplified the logo to make it better perceived in Europe. A NIO changed the logo in 2021 after a scandal: the old logo (the head of a man with a crown) was accused of plagiarism from Tesla>.
Hidden meanings of emblems: what manufacturers want to say
Many Chinese logos contain encrypted messages. Here are some examples:
- 🌊 Changan: The wave in the logo is not only the Yangtze River, but also a symbol constant movement forward. Designers claim that its shape is calculated according to the principle of the golden ratio.
- 🔋 BYD: The white gap in the ellipse symbolizes lightning strike — a reference to electric vehicles and charging speeds.
- 🏯 Hongqi: The red color and star are a tribute to China's communist past. The brand positions itself as “national pride”.
⚠️ Attention: If you see an emblem with dragon or Chinese characters, this is most likely unofficial tuning, not the factory logo. Chinese manufacturers avoid national symbols in export versions so as not to emphasize the country of origin.
Chinese electric vehicle emblems: new trends for 2026
With the transition to electric cars, Chinese brands are also updating their logos. Main trends:
- Minimalism: Remove unnecessary details, leaving only the main symbol. Example: Zeekr — stylized letter "Z" without an oval.
- Eco-tech colors: Green, blue, silver. XPeng uses turquoise - a mixture of blue (technology) and green (ecology).
- Dynamic shapes: Logos have become “moving”. For example, the logo NIO under certain lighting creates a 3D effect.
Important: some electric brands, e.g. Aiways, generally abandoned the traditional emblems on the hood. Instead they use glowing logos on the radiator grille, which are activated when the car is unlocked.
Electric vehicle emblems often contain hidden elements that are only visible when the lights are on. For example, at XPeng The autopilot circuit is encrypted in the logo.
Where to buy an original emblem: prices and trusted suppliers
If the emblem is damaged or lost, it can be replaced. Here's where to do it safely:
- 🔧 Official dealers: They guarantee originality, but the prices are high (from 3,000 to 15,000 rubles). For example, the logo Geely Coolray costs ~5,800 ₽.
- 🌍 AliExpress: Cheaper (from 800 ₽), but there is a risk of running into a fake. Check the reviews and seller rating (must be at least 98%).
- 🛒 Specialty stores: For example, ChinaAutoParts or AutoEmblem. Prices are average (RUB 1,500–4,000), and there are often certificates of authenticity.
⚠️ Attention: When purchasing an emblem on the secondary market (Avito, Yula), request a photo reverse side with engraving. Original parts must have:
Made in China + manufacturer's logo + article number.
Advice: if the emblem is attached with screws, buy a set of new fasteners (cost ~200 ₽). Old ones often rust or break when dismantled.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Chinese car emblems
Why do some Chinese cars have no emblems on the hood?
This is a trend of recent years - the abandonment of traditional emblems in favor of:
- Glowing logos (example: BYD Seal).
- Brand name inscriptions (like Tesla).
- Hidden logos that only appear when the lights are on.
Such solutions reduce aerodynamic drag and look more modern.
Can the emblem be painted a different color?
Technically yes, but there are some nuances:
- 🔴 Red/yellow: May violate warranty (some dealers consider this a tuning).
- 🖤 Black: Popular choice, but check to see if the paint will fade in the sun.
- 🟢 Green/Blue: Safe when used with automotive enamel (eg. Mobihel).
Tip: before painting, remove the emblem and treat it with a primer for plastic.
What to do if the emblem falls off during washing?
Causes and solutions:
- The double-sided tape has come off: Buy 3M automotive tape (item 06359) and re-apply. Cost: ~300 ₽.
- The plastic latches are broken: Need to replace fasteners (price ~500 ₽). Order from dealer using VIN.
- Screw corrosion: Clean the threads with WD-40, replace the screws with stainless steel ones (set ~250 ₽).
⚠️ Do not use superglue - it can damage the paintwork on the hood!
How to find out the year of manufacture of a car by its emblem?
It is impossible to determine the year by the emblem itself, but there are indirect signs:
- 🔍 Logo shape: For example, at Geely until 2021, the mountains in the emblem were less distinct.
- 🎨 Color: BYD until 2022 I used bright blue, now I use dark green.
- 📏 Size: Modern emblems are usually smaller (~6–8 cm in diameter vs. 10–12 cm in the 2000s).
To determine the exact year, check the VIN via traffic police.rf/check/auto.
Which Chinese emblems are most often confused?
Top 5 pairs of "doubles":
| Brand 1 | Brand 2 | How to distinguish |
|---|---|---|
| Haval | Great Wall | U Haval the letter "H" in the shield, y Great Wall - stylized wall |
| Chery | Exeed | U Exeed wing-shaped logo Chery - letter "A" |
| Geely | Lynk & Co | Lynk & Co uses a black and white logo without mountains |