Marketing types know the power of a great logo. The best ones present an evocative invitation, one that perfectly reflects the brand's image.
Logos can be especially compelling in the automotive industry.
Who can forget the Ferrari logo's magnificent prancing stallion? Or the memorable blue and white BMW logo, whose design is meant to portray the movement of an aircraft propeller?
These 8 car logos (listed in alphabetical order) get our vote for being the most impactful.
1. BMW
See those white and blue checker boxes? They're said to be inspired by white propeller blades spinning against a blue sky.
2. Ferrari
The green, white and red at the top represent Italy's national colors. That prancing stallion was originally used by a World War I fighter pilot; the pilot's mother suggested that Enzo Ferrari use it, as she thought it would bring him good luck.
3. Fiat
Fiat has sported several logos over the years. The sleek typeface and art-deco elegance of the current one makes it a favorite.
4. Lamborghini
The Lamborghini logo was inspired by the Zodiac sign of the company's founder -- Taurus. Mess with the bull, you get the horns, apparently.
5. Maserati
Maserati's logo presents an assertive trident. It's been around since 1913.
6. Mercedes-Benz
The simple, three-pointed star in this logo represents the fact that the company made transportation that traveled across air, water and land.
7. Mini
The look here is clean, strong and graphic, while still presenting some of the playfulness that Minis are known for.
8. Porsche
This rather intricate-looking design was inspired by Germany's coat of arms.
Which automotive logos inspire you most?
markedwards says:
12:10 AM, 10/ 9/11
The propeller explanation for BMW is a myth. The colors and patterns are taken from one of the Bavarian state flags. It's speculated that the propeller story came from the US subsidiary in the first half of the 20th century when German symbols were none too popular.
ag4 says:
04:31 AM, 10/ 9/11
I agree with markewards, the myth started because of this 1929 aircdraft engine magazine cover.
http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lo4gffU4WX1qgduswo1_500.jpg
Here's a video with a detailed explanation of the origin if BMW's logo, from the propeller myth to how the original "Rapp" with a horse transformed into the BMW logo we know with the blue and white Bavarian national colors.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znBnNJ1Fv08&feature=player_embedded
bpizzuti says:
05:10 AM, 10/ 9/11
What no soaring bird Mazda logo? Beats an "assertive trident" any day.
greenpony says:
05:48 AM, 10/ 9/11
Agree on BMW roundel explanation from the peanut gallery.
However I wouldn't include BMW or Mini in this list. They're too plain to be "stunning", the way a fine piece of jewelry is stunning. (I give a pass to Mercedes because their star logo is meant to evoke the sparkle of a diamond, which is certainly "stunning").
Why not include Bentley instead of Mini?
Why not include Cadillac, or even Buick, instead of BMW?
And the Maserati trident looks much better in chrome, don't you think? http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Maserati_Quattroporte_Trident_001.jpg
ralphhightower says:
05:58 AM, 10/ 9/11
I'm biased to the Chevy logo; except for 1 Pontiac Grand Am, 1 GMC van, 2 Saturns, and two Ford Mustangs, all of our cars have had the Chevy logo.
mrryte says:
07:56 AM, 10/ 9/11
For me, the Aston Martin logo takes the cake.
....but FIAT? Seriously???
ed124c says:
07:59 AM, 10/ 9/11
Seeking out the most stunning car logos is a very subjective task. We are talking about art, allegiance to a brand, and other factors such as the rarity of the car. There is no one right answer.
For instance, I have become fond of the Subaru star cluster-- perhaps because I have owned two Subarus in a row and love the newest one. Is it the most stunning? No, of course not. I like it because it is family. Just like I used to like the Honda logo, and way before that, the Chevy logo. They were all "family" at certain times of my life.
rsholland says:
08:23 AM, 10/ 9/11
Awful selection.
Suzuki, Mazda, Honda, Acura, Audi, Chevrolet, Ford, Cadillac, Ram, VW, Saab, Jaguar, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Alfa Romeo are all superior brand marks when compared to Maserati, Fiat, or Lamborghini. This is nothing but a list of storied brands, and it has nothing to do with the design or success of their respective logos—most of which are mediocre at best. The success of these brands was NOT because of their logos, but rather IN SPITE of their logos.
The only ones I absolutely agree with are Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Porsche. Even the Ferrari and Mini logos are only so-so from a design standpoint in my opinion.
FWIW, I've been designing logos for a living for 40+ years, so this is a topic close to my heart.
brn says:
08:26 AM, 10/ 9/11
Never owned a Dodge in my life, but he Dodge Ram logo needs to be high on the list.
The list your currently have seems to have more to do with manufacturer prestige than with the a "stunning logo". Fiat got thrown in to put us off the track.
threemopars says:
08:49 AM, 10/ 9/11
I much preferred the old Chrysler logo compared to the new one.
http://www.motorvista.com/pictures/chrysler/chrysler-logo.htm
emajor says:
08:58 AM, 10/ 9/11
"This is nothing but a list of storied brands, and it has nothing to do with the design or success of their respective logos—most of which are mediocre at best."
I agree with that. These overdone coat of arms logos are difficult to discern at a distance, overly complicated, and lend an air of old-world aristocratic snootiness that I'm not into.
The BMW and Mercedes logos are instantly recognizable and simple. Based solely on the visual appeal of a brand mark, and forgetting what I actually think of the brand, other ones I like are VW, Toyota, Acura, Mazda, and Chevrolet. The Ford logo is one of the worst.
teampenske3 says:
11:44 AM, 10/ 9/11
Personally, I'd have to say top 8 logos would be: Ferrari, BMW, Honda, Mercedes Benz, Bentley, Citroen, Ford, and Alfa.
cardrvr says:
12:47 PM, 10/ 9/11
Can't believe people complaining about exclusion of Cadillac's logo... Cadillac's logo (at least the current version) is an aesthetically boring hodgepodge of random rectangular shapes and does not "reflect" ANYTHING to a person unfamiliar with it (and yes, I've tried that "experiment").
carlisimo says:
03:38 PM, 10/ 9/11
Why is the centre of that Benz's grille actually a black plate with fake grillage painted onto it?
As for the logos, I love Maserati's. I don't care much about the company's cars or history, but the logo is just awesome. I also like Acura's: the use of calipers is a strong and clear statement, and the similarity to both an "A" and to Honda's logo really makes it work.
seppoboy says:
06:11 PM, 10/ 9/11
Oh, my. Lamborghini and Porsche, really? While they are elaborate and distinctive, they lack distance recognition and simplicity. And while I like the current Fiat logo, it is hardly a piece of logo greatness, being one of several generations of images. Great logos have simplicity, distinctiveness, and heritage. As such, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi should be included. Volkswagen's is a recognized classic. Alfa Romeo's trades simplicity for heritage, but is beautiful and evocative. The Ford blue oval has to be included here, as does the Rolls-Royce and possibly Bentley. Acura has no more cachet than Opel as a design, and the Volvo is distinctive but not exclusive to Volvo. Possibly Citroen could be included, but only Honda deserves consideration among other mass-market cars.
acbayard says:
06:20 PM, 10/ 9/11
Awful selection +1.
Audi is a classic. Jaguar should be there too.
Mini and Fiat? They might be "hip" in the US - but Fiat is like Ford of Italy, and Mini is just faux-retro BMW.
ag4 says:
08:26 PM, 10/ 9/11
@acbayard, well I also don't agree with some of their selections, but they did say "8 Stunning Car Logos" not "8 Stunning Luxury/exotic Car Logos"
mustang5507 says:
09:11 PM, 10/ 9/11
the Jag leaper on my car gets more "likes" when I take photos of it than any other logo I take pics of at auto shows. Ferrari and Porsche included.
On this list, I say substitute the Mini wings for the intricate, 3D cat.
mustang5507 says:
09:13 PM, 10/ 9/11
Bentley's Flying B and the Rolls Royce Spirit of Ecstasy should also be in there somewhere.
altimadude05 says:
09:17 PM, 10/ 9/11
@ed124c
Subaru's emblem is the star formation we know as the Pleiades. Subaru is what the Japanese call the same cluster of stars.
@carlisimo
The plate protects/hides MB's radar assisted cruise control emitter.
I'm surprised that they didn't include Audi's logo and the explanation behind it.
AJT123 says:
09:29 PM, 10/ 9/11
I like the Acura logo. I think out of all cars where the first letter is the symbol, Acura wins hands down. Look at a Honda logo; what they did was take the to of the H and folded it up.
fordson1 says:
07:27 AM, 10/10/11
No VW? Gotta be kidding. Subaru, whatever constellation that is supposed to evoke, is goofy-looking.
rsholland says:
08:21 AM, 10/10/11
I'm a huge fan of Subaru, but their logo is not well designed. Both the oval star icon and the "Subaru" type font leave a lot to be desired. They're both really pretty ordinary, and don't imbue any sense of brand and/or engineering excellence.
moparbad says:
08:57 AM, 10/10/11
ABARTH is deserving.
Would be interesting to see the list for trucks. I'm a fan of the Mack trucks logo.
dieseled says:
10:36 AM, 10/10/11
I like to see the Infiniti (Infinite) and Mitsubishi (3 spoke) design.
afdriver says:
01:19 PM, 10/10/11
Citroen definitely gets my vote as do the VW, Jaguar, and Chevy logos.
I have to say that I am not a fan of the Hyundai logo. I don't know the history, but it seems like Hyundai copied Honda in an attempt to confuse non-car people into buying their cars. Now that Honda has gone downhill and Hyundai has risen to match them, I think its time for them to get a new logo.
I currently own a MINI and I think the logo looks cheap. It looks like a cheap plastic modern retro copy of the Chrysler, Bentley, or Aston Martin logos.
What about special model logos like the ///M badge or the Corvette badge? I know they arnt the logos for the companies, but the are probably more recognizable than the logos for many companies.
desmolicious says:
01:37 PM, 10/10/11
Someone once wrote of Toyota's logo:
"It looks like the Pillsbury doughboy signaling a touchdown"
carraway says:
04:07 PM, 10/10/11
I'm another fan of the Acura logo. A compass is also a great symbol for a car, from both engineering and travel perspectives. OK, so I may be over-thinking that. In a similar vein, Mazda's logo is interesting in a more-complex-then-it-first appears way.
For instantly recognizable simplicity, however, you have to hand it to Audi. Finally, there's Jaguar's logo, which is cool just for being a leaping jaguar.
bimmerjay says:
04:22 PM, 10/10/11
"The propeller explanation for BMW is a myth. The colors and patterns are taken from one of the Bavarian state flags. It's speculated that the propeller story came from the US subsidiary in the first half of the 20th century when German symbols were none too popular."
Both stories have been propagated but only one version is told at the headquarters in Munich - and that's actually the propeller against a Bavarian blue sky. Also, the company-made video of BMW's history that you are shown before a factory tour in Munich (again made by BMW AG, not BMW NA) explains the aircraft propeller origin.
sherief says:
09:59 AM, 10/11/11
This is what I actually saw when reading those BMW logo comments..
"That's not a propellur the internetz sed so lol"
Acura's logo is a caliper (a precision measurement instrument), not a compass.
Mazda's logo is about as uninteresting as logo's get. The Maserati trident is Neptune's trident, and is an exact copy of the trident seen on the Fountain of Neptune in Bologna, which is where Maserati was founded. It's %100 Italian, therefore %100 awesome.
rjc1583 says:
07:35 PM, 10/11/11
I've always really liked the Vauxhall Griffin. Although the current version is not quite as awesome as some of the older versions.
levyrob says:
12:05 PM, 10/19/11
Lincoln. Circa 1961. I'd take FIAT, Lambo, Ferrari, and MINI off the list. Replace with Lincoln, VW, Cadillac, and now defunct Pontiac. Very subjective, of course, but I have no allegiance to GM!