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Car Company Logos

By Mary Gormandy White, M.A., SHRM-SCP, SPHR

Mary Gormandy White, M.A., SHRM-SCP, SPHR

As a college instructor and communication expert with extensive nonfiction and educational writing experience, Mary shares tips and advice related to a wide variety of topics.

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In addition to being an essential part of advertising and brand identity, car company logos provide a powerful visual image for auto consumers. Each automobile manufacturer has a unique logo, many of which have changed dramatically over the years. In some cases, these logos are tied to the company's history in surprising ways.

List of Car Company Logos

Now Fiat's racing arm, Abarth's logo is rich with meaning. The scorpion represents the Zodiac sign of company founder Karl Alberto Abarth, and the shield is a symbol of passion and triumph. The colors beneath the name represent the Italian flag.	Honda's luxury brand features a logo that looks like a stylized letter "A" inside a circle. The symbol also represents the caliper, an important precision engineering tool.	Now Aixam Mega, the logo for this French microcar manufacturer is simple and elegant, spelling out the company's original name and calling out the first letter with a bold "A" (or "M" in some cases) inside a circular graphic.	This Italian exotic car brand has a complicated, circular logo featuring a red cross and a green snake with a dragon's head. These symbols represent the city of Milan, where the company was founded.
The British luxury car brand has an iconic logo of a pair of wings with the company name. A version of this logo has graced Aston Martin cars since the 1920s.	This German automaker's four interlocking rings represent this history of the company as it started out as four smaller companies.	Bajoun is a General Motors brand made and sold only in China. The name means "treasured horse" - and that's exactly what the logo depicts.	The British exotic car manufacturer features a winged logo with a letter "B" in the center. The wings in this logo call up the company's aerospace roots.
BMW's blue and white checkerboard pattern represents an airplane propeller, since BMW was originally an airplane manufacturer. The logo's colors and checks are from the Bavarian flag, where the company was founded.	This American car brand features a logo with three shields inside a circle. The idea for the shield came from the Buick family crest.	Cadillac has had many logos over the years. This current version features two stalks of wheat with a shield in the center.	One of the most iconic American car logos, the symbol for Chevrolet is a simple angled cross with a longer horizontal line. The design is referred to as the Chevrolet bowtie.
There are several versions of the Chrysler logo, but the most recognizable is a pentagon with a star in the center, referred to as the Chrysler Pentastar. The current version is sleeker and simpler, suggesting wings.	The double chevrons in Citroen's logo represent the Helical Gear, a Citroen invention that is used in every modern automobile. They also represent the company's commitment to technical innovation.	This Romanian car brand has been part of Renault since 1999.The company is bold and simple, highlighting the company name in a shade of blue representative of one of the colors of the Romanian flag, on a bold, silver-tone graphic.	The modern logo of this Korean General Motors brand still bears the crown-shaped emblem from the company's early days. The shape is similar to that of a now defunct, but once popular, football club in South Korea.
The Daimler logo is simple and elegant, conveying the same sense of understated luxury that this German car manufacturer is known for around the world.	The Datsun brand is exclusive to Japan and emerging markets like India. The logo places the brand front and center, superimposed over a striking chrome and blue graphic.	As the first Chinese car brand dedicated to new energy vehicles, Denza's logo represents the company's values of responsibility to nature and society	The logo for this American brand features is the manufacturer's name in simple block lettering. The two red stripes represent speed and agility.
This Italian exotic car manufacturer uses a logo of a rearing horse, often set inside a yellow rectangle. The same horse logo once graced the sides of an Italian ace fighter pilot's plane.	Fiat's bold red logo calls to mind its retro roots, as well as a sleek, modern style.	The Ford logo is simple and instantly recognizable: a blue oval with the company name in script lettering. A version of this logo has been in use since 1927.	The white lettering in General Motors' logo stands for the company's purity, charm and integrity. The blue background indicates excellence and trustworthiness.
This American car company symbol is easy to recognize, since it is simply the letters "GMC" in red block lettering.	This GM-owned Australian car company's logo features a lion rolling a stone - a graphic representation of the invention of the wheel.	The Japanese carmaker features a symbol of a silver letter "H" inside a rectangle.	Hummer's logo features the company's name and slogan in block letters appropriate for the company's rugged, yet luxurious, vehicles.
The symbol for the Korean auto company is a slanted blue letter "H" inside an oval	This high-end auto brand has an oval logo with a notch out of the bottom.	This Japanese car company's logo is a bright red representation of its name with mirror image "s" and "z" letters.	Luxury carmaker Jaguar has a logo of a leaping jungle cat with the company name underneath.
Just like the classic vehicle itself, the Jeep logo is simple and utilitarian, consisting of the company name in block letters.	China's first domestic car manufacturer bears a logo with the number one as the focal feature. The company is a joint venture with General Motors, and the colors reflect that relationship.	This Korean automaker has a logo of the company's name in red letters, surrounded by a red oval.	The Lamborghini logo is a gold shield with the company name above a charging bull which stands for Taurus, the Zodiac sign of the company founder.
The Lancia logo features the company's name surrounded by a lance and a shield.	The green oval Land Rover logo is easily recognizable and elegantly simple.	The luxury arm of Toyota features a simple letter "L" logo inside a silver circle.	This American carmaker has a simple logo of a vertical rectangle with a cross on it.
The Lotus logo is a yellow circle with a green, curved triangle featuring the company name.	The graphic on Maserati's logo is a red three-pronged spear referred to as a trident. It rises from a base that bears the company's name.	Maybach's logo features two overlapping letter "M"s on a triangular, orange background.	The logo for this Japanese company features a rounded rectangle with a winged V-shape in the center.
This simple logo is a circle with a three-pointed star in the center. The logo represents the merging of Mercedes and Daimler who had a laurel wreath and a star as their symbols respectively.	Mini's iconic, winged logo calls to mind its British roots and retro style.	Mitsubishi features a logo with three red diamonds arranged in the shape of a triangle. The logo represents the combination of two family crests.	This automaker has a simple logo of a silver circle with the company name across the center.
The Opel logo features lightning streaking across an open circle above the German company's name. The logo is inspired by the Opel Blitz truck, as "blitz" is German for "lightning."	Peugeot's logo has featured a lion since 1948. The modern version features a lion above the company's name. The metallic color represents the brand's values, which are excellence, emotion, and allure.	The Porsche logo features a shield with a prancing horse in the center, and red and black stripes. The horse represents the city seal of Stuttgart, Germany, where the brand was founded.	The logo for this American brand features a ram's head inside a shield shape.
Renault's logo is a silver diamond above the name on a yellow background. The yellow color represents the brand's joy, optimism and prosperity, while the silver stands for sophistication and creativity.	Representing the alliance of the French and Japanese automakers, this logo features both brand names beneath graphic elements that show their corporate colors joining together.	This logo represents the sophistication and creativity used by Renault Samsung Motors in its quest to produce high-end, modern vehicles and the company's focus on research and development.	This luxury brand has a symbol of two overlapping letter "R"s on a blue background.
This logo is a blue circle with a red, griffin head wearing a gold crown.	Saturn's logo is a silver abstract representation for the planet bearing the same name over a red background. The graphic is outlined in silver and positioned above the brand name.	This Toyota offshoot features an oval logo with a slanted vertical line and a horizontal bar printed with the company name.	The logo for this Spanish car company features a bold, silver depiction of an "S" above the brand name boldly presented in red.
The Skoda insignia is an encircled arrow with wings beneath the brand name. The colors and design represent this Czech Republic company's focus on the environment, eco-materials, progress and innovation.	The Smart Car has a logo shaped like the letter "C" with a yellow triangle.	The Spyker logo calls to mind the company's aero roots with its airplane propellers.	Street Racing Technology (SRT) is a Chrysler brand. The logo features the brand's initials (and common name) in a slanted shape that indicates speed. The red color represents speed and agility, and is the same shade used in the logo for sister-brand Dodge.
Subaru has a blue logo featuring several silver stars. The five smaller stars represent the five Japanese car companies that banded together to form the larger company.	This logo features a bold, red "S" symbol above the full name in dark blue. The red represents the brand's passion, determination and vitality, while the blue stands for strength and harmony.	This green automaker features a shield-shaped logo with a stylized letter "T."	Toyota's current logo is made up of three overlapping ovals and the company name.
The focal point of Vauxhall's logo is a silver griffin over a red-background carrying a flag with a cut-out "V." The modern version showcases the company's UK manufacturing heritage as well as its fresh philosophy toward design.	This German automaker once had a swastika as its logo, but it now features an overlapping "V" and "W."	The symbol of this Swedish automaker is a silver circle with an arrow out of the top right, with the company name across the center.	The logo for this Chinese car company features five, red diamond shapes put together to represent a capital "W" in an abstract way.

Historical Car Company Logos

Audi AG Historical Logos

1909 Audi logo	1932 Audi logo	1949 Audi logo	1965 Audi logo
1969 Audi logo	1985 Audi logo	1994 Audi logo

Source: Unternehmensarchiv der AUDI AG (Corporate Archives of AUDI AG)

Benz & Cie. Historical Logos

1903 Benz & Cie. logo

1909 Benz & Cie. logo

Source: Daimler © Daimler

BMW Historical Logos

1917 BMW logo	1933 BMW logo	1954 BMW logo	1974 BMW logo
1979 BMW logo

Source: BMW Media. Logo © BMW

Cadillac Historical Logos

1906 Cadillac logo	1908 Cadillac logo	1915 Cadillac logo	1920 Cadillac logo
1933 Cadillac logo	1947 Cadillac logo	1957 Cadillac logo

Source: General Motors Media. Logos © Cadillac

Chevrolet Historical Logos

1911-1914 Chevrolet logo	1914 Chevrolet logo	1916 Chevrolet logo	1934 Chevrolet logo
1940-1950 Chevrolet logo	1942 Chevrolet logo	1957-1959 Chevrolet logo	1960's Chevrolet logo
1965 Chevrolet logo	1977-1979 Chevrolet logo	1978 Chevrolet logo	2000-2001 Chevrolet logo
2000 Chevrolet logo	2004 Chevrolet logo	2004 Chevrolet logo	Former Chevrolet logo

Source: General Motors Media. Logos © Chevrolet

Chrysler Historical Logos

1924 Chrysler logo	1928-29 Chrysler logo	1941 Chrysler logo	1946-48 Chrysler logo
1954 Chrysler logo	1955-56 Chrysler logo	1970-80 Chrysler logo	1997-98 Chrysler logo
1997-98 Chrysler logo	1997-98 Chrysler logo	1997 Chrysler logo	Chrysler Cerberus logo
Chrysler logo	Chrysler logo	Chrysler logo	Chrysler logo
Chrysler red logo	Chrysler Pentastar logo	Chrysler Wings logo	Chrysler Forward Look
Chrysler Forward Look	Chrysler Wings logo	Chrysler Pentastar logo

Source: Chrysler Archives. Logos © Chrysler

Daimler (DMG)

1909 Daimler logo

1916 Daimler logo

1921 Daimler logo

Source: Daimler Media. Logo © Daimler

DKW

1904 DKW logo

Source: Unternehmensarchiv der AUDI AG (Corporate Archives of AUDI AG)

Dodge Historical Logos

1914-28 Dodge Brothers	1914-28 Dodge Brothers	1964 Dodge logo	Dodge logo
Dodge logo

Source: Chrysler Archives © Dodge

Fiat Historical Logos

1899 Fiat logo	1901 Fiat logo	1904 Fiat logo	1921 Fiat logo
1925 Fiat logo	1929 Fiat logo	1931 Fiat logo	1931 Fiat logo
1932 Fiat logo	1938 Fiat logo	1959 Fiat logo	1965 Fiat logo
1968 Fiat logo	1991 Fiat logo	1999 Fiat logo

Source: Fiat Press © Fiat

Ford Historical Logos

1903-04 Ford logo	1903 Ford logo	1907 Ford logo	1912 Ford logo
1928 Ford logo	1965 Ford logo	Ford signature logo

Source: Ford Media © Ford

GM Historical Logos

1920 GM logo

Source: General Motors © GM

Holden Historical Logos

1928 Holden logo	1936 Holden logo	1948 Holden logo	1972 Holden logo
1994 Holden logo

Source: General Motors © GM

Horch Historical Logos

1899 Horch logo

Source: Unternehmensarchiv der AUDI AG (Corporate Archives of AUDI AG)

Jeep Historical Logos

1948 Jeep logo	1949 Jeep logo	1966 Jeep logo	1966 Jeep logo
1966 Jeep logo	1970 Jeep logo	1970-87 Jeep logo

Source: Chrysler Archives. Logos © Chrysler

Lancia Historical Logos

1907 Lancia logo	1911 Lancia logo	1929 Lancia logo	1957 Lancia logo
1974 Lancia logo	2000 Lancia logo

Source: Abarth Press © Lancia

L&K Historical Logos

First L&K logo	1895 L&K logo	1895 L&K logo	1905 L&K logo
1925 L&K logo	L&K signature logo

Source: Skoda © Skoda

Lincoln Historical Logos

Source: Ford © Ford

Mazda Historical Logos

1936 Mazda logo	1936 Mazda logo	1959 Mazda logo	1975 Mazda logo
1992 Mazda logo	1997 Mazda logo

Source: Mazda USA © Mazda

Mercedes-Benz Historical Logos

1926 Mercedes-Benz logo

Source: Daimler © Daimler

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NSU Historical Logos

Source: Unternehmensarchiv der AUDI AG (Corporate Archives of AUDI AG)

Oakland Historical Logos

1930 Oakland logo

Source: General Motors © GM

Oldsmobile Historical Logos

1901-06 Oldsmobile logo

Source: General Motors © GM

Opel Historical Logos

First Opel logo	1862 Opel logo	1902 Opel logo	1909 Opel logo
1910 Opel logo	1937 Opel logo	1937 Opel logo	1970 Opel logo
1987-2002 Opel logo

Source: General Motors © GM

Pontiac Historical Logos

Renault Historical Logos

1900 Renault logo	1906 Renault logo	1919 Renault logo	1923 Renault logo
1925 Renault logo	1959 Renault logo	1972 Renault logo	1992 Renault logo

SEAT Historical Logos

1950 SEAT logo	1960 SEAT logo	1970 SEAT logo	1980 SEAT logo
1992 SEAT logo	1999 SEAT logo

Skoda Historical Logos

1925-34 Skoda logo

1925-95 Skoda logo

1993-94 Skoda logo

Wanderer Historical Logos

1885 Wanderer logo

Source: Unternehmensarchiv der AUDI AG (Corporate Archives of AUDI AG)

Willys Overland Historical Logos

1937 Willys Overland logo	1947 Willys Overland logo	1948 Willys Overland logo	1949 Willys Overland logo
1952 Willys Overland logo

List of Car Company Logos

Car company logos can provide interesting insights about the history of the automotive industry, and they are a very important part of consumer brand identification. Next time you pop your hood to check your car's oil or refill the washer fluid, take a glance at the logo as well. This symbol represents where your car's manufacturer has been and where it's going in the future.