When it comes to car logos asterisks, the first thing that comes to mind is the legendary emblem Mercedes-Benz - three rays symbolizing dominance on earth, in water and in the air. However, other brands also use star symbols: from luxury Maybach to budget Chinese brands like Changan or Geely. Why has the star become such a popular motif? How to distinguish an original logo from a fake when buying a used car? And what do those stars on the hood even mean?
In this article we will look at all car logos with stars, their history, hidden meanings and practical advice. You will learn how to avoid running into a counterfeit logo when purchasing spare parts or the car itself, as well as what legal nuances should be taken into account when tuning logos. The material will be useful for both beginners and experienced car owners - especially those who plan to purchase a car from the secondary market.
Which car brands use stars in their logos?
A star in the automotive industry is not just a design element, but a powerful symbolic tool. Let's look at the main brands where stars play a key role:
- 🌟 Mercedes-Benz - three rays in a circle (the most recognizable star logo in the world).
- 💎 Maybach — double emblem with a Mercedes star (as a sign of belonging to the concern).
- 🚗 Changan (China) - a stylized star in an oval, symbolizing "prosperity".
- 🔴 Geely — six silver stars on a blue background (representing the global ambitions of the brand).
- ⚡ BYD (electric cars) - an abstract star in the logo of the latest models.
- 🏁 AMG (a division of Mercedes) - a star combined with an inscription indicating a sporty orientation.
Interestingly, some brands changed the number of stars in the logo over time. For example, Geely initially used three stars and then increased it to six to highlight expansion into international markets. But Mercedes-Benz Since 1909, it has maintained three beams - despite changes of owners and rebrandings.
But why exactly a star? Automotive historians note that this symbol is associated with prestige, speed and innovation. At the beginning of the 20th century, when cars were just gaining popularity, the star helped brands stand out from competitors, emphasizing their “star” status.
History of the Mercedes-Benz logo: why three stars?
Logo Mercedes-Benz - one of the oldest in the automotive industry. His story begins in 1909when the company Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) registered the three-pointed star as a trademark. The author of the idea was Gottlieb Daimlerwhich wanted to symbolize:
- 🌍 land - cars;
- ⛵ Water — motors for boats;
- ✈️ Air — aircraft engines (in those years DMG supplied engines for Zeppelin airships).
The star itself was inscribed in the circle only in 1916 — this was done for better readability on car radiators. And the name Mercedes appeared even earlier, in 1901, in honor of the daughter of Austrian businessman Emil Jellinek, who ordered a batch of racing cars from DMG. The name "Mercedes" (translated from Spanish as "mercy") became so popular that the company decided to use it as a brand.
Merger DMG and Benz & Cie in 1926 led to the appearance of the modern name Mercedes-Benz, and the star in a circle became the official emblem. Interestingly, during World War II, the logo was temporarily simplified - the circle was removed, leaving only the star to save paint. But already in the 1950s the original design returned.
The myth of the origin of the Mercedes star
Some people mistakenly believe that the three rays symbolize the three founders of the company. In fact, this is not true - Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz never worked together before their companies merged in 1926. The star was created purely as a marketing ploy to demonstrate the versatility of DMG engines.
Hidden meanings of stars in other brand logos
If you Mercedes-Benz star has a clear explanation, while with other brands its meaning often remains a mystery to the general public. Let's look at the most interesting cases:
Maybach (a division of Mercedes) uses double emblem: two letters "M" intertwined with each other, and a star on top. This emphasizes the premium status of the brand - like “Mercedes squared”. Interestingly, the original Maybach (before the purchase of Daimler AG) had a completely different logo - a stylized letter "M" without a star.
Changan (China) uses in its logo stylized star in an oval, which symbolizes “prosperity and harmony.” The brand positions itself as “the star of the Chinese automobile industry,” and the emblem emphasizes this. However, until 2010 the logo was completely different - a red oval with a white wave.
Geely originally had three stars, but in 2014 switched to six, located in a circle. This was done to highlight the company's global ambitions. The six stars symbolize the six continents (Antarctica is not taken into account), where Geely plans to supply its cars.
BYD (Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer) uses abstract star, which also resembles the letter "B". The company explains this as a “technological breakthrough” (Build Your Dreams is the brand’s motto). Previously, the logo was more traditional - three oval elements symbolizing batteries.
| Brand | Number of stars | Official meaning | Year of appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz | 3 beams | Dominance on land, water and air | 1909 |
| Maybach | 1 (in combination with "M") | Premium status (Mercedes heritage) | 2002 |
| Changan | 1 (stylized) | Prosperity and Harmony | 2010 |
| Geely | 6 | Global presence (6 continents) | 2014 |
| BYD | 1 (abstract) | Technological breakthrough | 2021 |
How to distinguish an original logo from a fake?
Fake car emblems are a common problem in the aftermarket. Scammers often sell cars with logos taped over to hide the real make or model. Here key features, which are worth paying attention to:
- 🔍 Material quality: original emblems Mercedes-Benz or Maybach are made of metal with a chrome plated finish, while counterfeits are often made of plastic or thin metal that bends.
- 🎨 Color and shade: The original Mercedes star has a silver color with a slight bluish tint. Counterfeits are usually too yellow or dull.
- 📏 Dimensions and proportions: Compare the logo with official photos. For example, at Mercedes The distance between the rays of the star is strictly regulated - 120 degrees.
- 🔗 Fastening: Original emblems are attached to special latches or screws with unique threads. Counterfeits are often glued or held on with regular screws.
- 💧 Watermarks: on some original emblems (eg AMG) there is microtext or laser engraving, which is visible under magnification.
You need to be especially careful when buying cars Mercedes-Benz or Maybach on the secondary market. Fraudsters often re-paste emblems onto cheaper models (for example, Changan or Geely) to pass them off as premium brands. One of the most common techniques is to replace the logo on Chinese cars that look similar to Mercedes (for example, Geely Emgrand and Mercedes C-Class).
⚠️ Attention: If the seller refuses to provide original documents for the car or the emblem looks suspicious, check the VIN code through official services. For example, for Mercedes it is https://www.mercedes-benz.com/vin-decoder.
Compare the emblem with official photos on the manufacturer’s website|
Check the fastening - the originals are not glued|
Inspect the back side (counterfeits often do not have factory markings)|
Try it with a magnet - original metal emblems are magnetic|
Check the documentation (VIN must match the brand on the logo) -->
Legal nuances: is it possible to change the logo on a car?
Many car owners want to personalize their car, for example, by replacing the standard emblem with tuned star or another brand's logo. But there are legal restrictions:
1. Replacement with a logo of another brand (for example, put a Mercedes star on Toyota) can be regarded as trademark infringement. In some countries (for example, Germany) you may be fined for this.
2. Change of original logo (for example, painting a Mercedes star a different color) is usually not punishable by law, but can cause problems when selling the car - the new owner may demand that everything be returned to its original condition.
3. Installation of non-certified emblems (for example, luminous or moving) may be prohibited Traffic rulesif they distract other drivers.
In Russia and the CIS countries, legal practice is more loyal, but it is still recommended:
- 📜 Keep the original emblem (for example, keep it in the glove compartment).
- 🚔 Avoid changes that may be misleading (for example, putting a logo AMG to normal Mercedes C-Class).
- 🔧 Use certified tuning studios that provide a guarantee for the work.
⚠️ Attention: If you plan to sell the car abroad (for example, in the EU), it is better to return the original logo. In some countries, vehicles with modified emblems may not pass technical inspection.
Top 5 Myths About Car Logos with Stars
There are many legends surrounding star logos. Let's look at the most common myths and the truth behind them:
Myth 1: "The three Mercedes stars symbolize the three founders of the company." Truth: In fact, as we already mentioned, the star was invented by Gottlieb Daimler to demonstrate the versatility of engines. Karl Benz (the second "founder") had nothing to do with this.
Myth 2: "The Maybach logo with two 'M's stands for 'Meisterstück Motor' (a masterpiece of motor engineering)." Truth: The company has never officially confirmed this transcript. The double "M" is simply a stylized combination of letters, and the star is added after the brand purchase Daimler AG.
Myth 3: "Geely copied the Mercedes logo, that's why they have a star too." Truth: Although Geely truly inspired by European brands, their six star logo has its own meaning (global presence) and was designed by British designer Peter Horbury.
Myth 4: "The star on BYD's logo means it's a 'Chinese Mercedes'." Truth: BYD uses an abstract star as a symbol of innovation, but the company specializes in electric vehicles and does not position itself as a competitor Mercedes-Benz.
Myth 5: “If a car has a star, it means it’s premium.” Truth: Today, stars also use budget brands (for example, Changan or Geely). Premiumness is determined not by the logo, but by the quality of materials, technology and price.
A star in the logo is not a guarantee of premium quality. Always check the vehicle's specifications and history, not just the emblem.
Where can I buy original star emblems?
If you need to replace the logo on your car (for example, after an accident or tuning), it is important to buy original parts. Here are verified sources:
- 🏢 Official dealers: the most reliable, but also the most expensive option. For example, a Mercedes star will cost 5,000–15,000 rubles depending on the model.
- 🛒 Certified online stores:
https://www.mercedes-benz-classic.com(for retro models);https://www.ebay.com(look for sellers with a rating above 98%);https://www.aliexpress.com(only from trusted suppliers with reviews).
- 🔧 Car disassembly: You can find used emblems in good condition, but the risk of running into a fake is higher.
- 🎨 Tuning studio: Some shops make custom stars to order (such as illuminated or engraved).
When purchasing, pay attention to:
- 📦 Packaging: original Mercedes emblems come in branded boxes with a hologram.
- 📄 Documentation: official dealers must have an invoice with the part number.
- 🔍 Mounting parts: Counterfeits often come without the original latches or screws.
⚠️ Attention: On AliExpress and similar sites often sell “replicas” of Mercedes emblems at a price of 500–1000 rubles. They are visually similar, but are made of low-quality plastic and quickly fade in the sun.
Before purchasing an emblem, check its article number in the manufacturer's catalog. For example, for Mercedes this can be done on the website https://www.mercedes-benz.com/parts.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about star logos
Is it possible to put the Mercedes logo on another car?
Technically you can, but it could be considered trademark infringement. In some countries (for example, in the EU) there are fines for this. In addition, such changes may cause problems when selling the car or passing a technical inspection.
Why don't some Mercedes have a star on the hood?
On some models (for example, Mercedes-AMG GT or Mercedes-Maybach) the star can be replaced by another logo (for example, the inscription "AMG" or "Maybach"). Also, on retro models (before 1926), the star could be located not on the hood, but on the radiator.
How to clean a tarnished Mercedes star?
To clean the chrome emblem use:
- Soft cloth and warm water and soap;
- Special products for chromium (for example,
Sonax Chrome Cleaner); - Toothpaste (to remove light abrasions).
Do not use abrasives or harsh chemicals as they will damage the finish.
What does the star on Changan's logo mean?
Officially, the star is in the logo Changan symbolizes "prosperity and harmony". The company positions itself as a "star of the Chinese automobile industry" striving for global leadership. The logo design was changed in 2010 to reflect the brand's new ambitions.
Is it possible to order a custom star for your car?
Yes, many tuning studios make custom emblems. Popular options:
- Illuminated stars (LED);
- 3D emblems with volumetric rays;
- Stars with engraving (for example, the owner's initials).
Cost starts from 10,000 rubles depending on the complexity.