Automobile Logos and Their Meanings

BMW (Bavarian Motor Works)      

During World War II, this company produced aircraft engines for Germany. After 1928, it entered automobile manufacturing. Its first mass-produced model was the 3/15 PS. Because the company originally built aircraft engines, the logo's blue section of the quartered emblem represents the sky and the white section represents an aircraft propeller.

VOLKSWAGEN 

In German, "volks" means people and "wagen" means car — the company's name translates to "the people's car."

The automobile logo is formed from the first letters of volks and wagen.

PORSCHE    

The black horse in the emblem comes from the coat of arms of Stuttgart, Germany. The antlers and red-black stripes are taken from the flag of Württemberg. This logo contains nationalist symbols.

SCANIA 

The company's first logo was SAAB, formed from the initials of Svenska Aeroplan Aktie Bolaget. The firm first produced aircraft, then trucks, and later automobiles. When it moved into truck production, the name became Scania.

AUDI     

These four interlocking rings represent four separate automobile companies that merged in Germany in 1932: Horch, Audi, DKW, and Wanderer. Only Audi remains today.

PEUGEOT     

When the company was first founded, it produced steel products such as saw blades. The company logo was a lion representing strength. The claws symbolize power and balance; the eyes show that the company always looks forward. When they began producing automobiles, they continued using the same figure.

CITROEN   

It was inspired by the founder's first job. Renowned industrialist André Citroën worked on gear cutting for industrial gears in the early years of his career. Today, the chrome chevrons in the logo symbolize the automobile's dynamism and grandeur.

MERCEDES  

Company founder Karl Benz placed a star emblem on the roof of his home while working at a motor factory. He told his wife that one day this star would represent success and power, and that it would sit atop the factory he dreamed of building. He named the factory after his daughter Mercedes when he realized that dream.

FIAT    

Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino... You may need a few attempts to say the full name without stumbling. Using the abbreviation — Fiat — is much easier.

RENAULT