Car making is a strategic industry in Europe. It is one of the things that unite the European Union, creating strong connections between the economies of the countries.
Every year, almost 20 million vehicles are produced in the EU. There are over 300 plants across Europe providing jobs for 12 million people and accounting for about 4% of its GDP. Moreover, it is auto industry that is the largest private investor in research and development in Europe (over €50 billion each year). Vehicles produced in Europe are considered the cleanest, safest, and quietest in the world.
In spite of the fact that the EU is definitely a global player, in the nearest future about 80% of the growth in the automotive industry is expected to occur outside the Union.
Some of the largest car makers include Volkswagen, the Renault Group, and the PSA Group, while the number of brands based here exceeds 150.
BMW
Information: BMW logo meaning
Founded: 1916
Website: www.bmw.com
The flagship brand of the BMW Group has a roundel logo resembling a propeller. Contrary to the popular misconception, this is a purely coincidental resemblance, and the roundel has nothing to do with a propeller. The BMW logo was a created on the basis of the emblem of the Rapp company using the Bavarian national colors.
MINI
Information: Mini logo meaning
Founded: 2001
Website: www.mini.de
One more BMW Group’s brand has gone through several completely different logotypes since it was established in 1959. The current badge used since 2001 is based on the earlier versions of the logo. The name of the brand in capitals is positioned inside a circle with stylized silver wings.
Audi
Information: Audi logo meaning
Founded: June 1932 by August Horch
Website: www.audi.com
One of the most notable events in the automaker’s history has been the merger of four companies in 1932. It was then that the emblem with four rings was adopted. Originally, there were emblems of the four companies inside the rings. In the course of time, however, the emblems and the company names disappeared, while the interlocking rings stayed.
Volkswagen
Information: Volkswagen logo meaning
Founded: May, 1937
Website: www.vw.com
The original 1937 logotype looked different from the current one, yet it already contained the letters “V” and “W” placed one above the other, as well as the circle theme. By 1945, the logo already acquired almost the same shape as it has today.
Skoda
Information: Skoda logo meaning
Founded: 1895
Website: skoda-auto.com
The origins of the iconic “winged arrow” emblem date back to 1926. It is supposed to represent the head of a Native American wearing five feathers. The logotype went through a major redesign in 1994 and 2011.
SEAT
Information: SEAT logo meaning
Founded: 1950
Website: www.seat.com
The logo depicts a stylized letter “S”, which is “sliced” in the middle. The innovative, futuristic look is emphasized by the color scheme comprising the red and metallic colors.
Porsche
Information: Porsche logo meaning
Founded: 1931 by Ferdinand Porsche
Website: www.porsche.com
A tribute to the brand’s native country, the emblem sports the colors of the German flag. The horse is used not only as the symbol of speed, but also as the symbol of the city of Stuttgart, while the background of the logo was inspired by the coat of arms of a former state, which had Stuttgart as its capital.
Mercedes-Benz
Information: Mercedes-Benz logo meaning
Founded: 1926 by Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler
Website: www.mercedes-benz.com
The three-pointed star was developed as the symbol of the company’s leadership and dominance on land, on water, and in the air. Interestingly enough, originally the company trademarked one more logo, this time with a four-pointed star, but it has never been actually used.
SMART
Information: Smart logo meaning
Founded: 1994
Website: www.smart.com
The badge created for the German manufacturer of subcompact city cars perfectly reflects its innovative spirit. It comprises the letter “C” (‘compact car’) and an arrow symbolizing moving forward.
Renault
Information: Renault logo meaning
Founded: 1899
Parent company: Renault–Nissan Alliance
Website: group.renault.com
The origins of the iconic diamond shape go back to 1925. The silver color is used as the symbol of sophistication and creativity, while yellow stands for prosperity and optimism.
Dacia
Information: Dacia logo meaning
Founded: 1966
Parent company: Renault
Website: www.daciagroup.com
The brand’s previous logos were based on a shield shape, which is only barely visible on the current badge. The current emblem, which was adopted in 2008, features a silver-gray trapezoid, with the brand name written over it.
Peugeot
Information: Peugeot logo meaning
Founded: 1882
Parent company: PSA group
Website: www.peugeot.com
The lion logo made its debut on Peugeot cars in 1905. The image of the lion has undergone numerous alterations, growing more and more abstract.
OPEL
Information: Opel logo meaning
Founded: January 1862 by Adam Opel
Website: www.opel.com
The company’s earliest logos had nothing to do with the “lightning bolt” emblem the brand uses now. However, the lightning bears remarkable resemblance to the depiction of a zeppelin that made its debut on the 1930s logos.
FIAT
Information: Fiat logo meaning
Founded: July 11, 1899
Website: www.fiat.com
Parent company: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
The flagship brand of the Italian-controlled multinational corporation FCA Group, FIAT has a roundel emblem with the brand name appearing against the red background.
Alfa Romeo
Information: Alfa Romeo logo meaning
Founded: 24 June 1910
Website: www.alfaromeo.com
Parent company: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
The Alfa Romeo symbol was inspired by the flag of Milan, as well as the Coat of Arms of its former rulers, the family of Visconti. The emblem, which appears to depict a dragon (or a snake) eating a human, actually means the opposite: it is supposed to symbolize a human coming out of the serpent’s mouth, purified and renewed.
Land Rover
Information: Land Rover logo meaning
Founded: 1948
Website: www.landrover.com
The Land Rover logo features the company name in white against the green background. It is placed inside an oval shape. The custom typeface has a lot in common with the Gill Sans font.
Jaguar
Information: Jaguar logo meaning
Founded: 1922
Parent company: Jaguar Land Rover
Website: www.jaguar.com
The leaping jaguar logo was not the company’s earliest emblem. It was introduced only in 1945, replacing the old logo, which had been in use for a decade.
Volvo
Information: Volvo logo meaning
Founded: 1927
Parent company: Geely
Website: www.volvocars.com
The Volvo symbol is a well-known ancient emblem of the god Mars. The same symbol was used by alchemists, it represented iron. Volvo has been using this emblem since the 1920s.
Citroën
Information: Citroën logo meaning
Founded: March 1919
Parent company: Stellantis
Website: citroen.com
The Citroën logo features a stylized double chevron design, symbolizing the brand’s innovative and forward-thinking approach in the automotive industry. The sleek and modern logo represents Citroën’s commitment to elegance, sophistication, and cutting-edge technology, making it instantly recognizable among car enthusiasts worldwide.
Pagani
Information: Pagani logo meaning
Founded: 1992
Website: www.pagani.com
The Pagani automobile logo features a stylized “P” in silver, surrounded by a sleek black circle. The design embodies elegance and sophistication, reflecting the luxury and high-performance nature of Pagani vehicles. It serves as a distinctive emblem that represents the brand’s commitment to exquisite craftsmanship and automotive excellence.
Aixam
Founded: 1983
Website: aixam.com
Aixam’s car logo showcases elegance and sophistication, reflecting the brand’s commitment to producing stylish and reliable vehicles. The sleek design of the logo captures the essence of Aixam’s innovation and quality, making it instantly recognizable in the automotive industry.
Ligier
Founded: 1968
Parent company: 21 Investimenti Partners
Website: ligier.fr
The Ligier car logo embodies sleekness and sophistication, with its clean lines and elegant typography. It reflects the brand’s commitment to modernity and innovation, while maintaining a sense of timeless style. The logo’s dynamic design captures the essence of Ligier’s high-performance vehicles, making it instantly recognizable and synonymous with driving excellence.
Venturi
Founded: 1984
Website: www.venturi.com
The Venturi automobile logo features a sleek and modern design that embodies the brand’s commitment to innovation and performance. With its dynamic curves and bold typography, the logo captures the essence of Venturi’s electric vehicles, showcasing their forward-thinking approach to sustainable mobility.
Microcar
Founded: 1984
The Microcar logo embodies simplicity and efficiency, reflecting the brand’s commitment to compact and eco-friendly vehicles. Its sleek design and minimalist elements convey a sense of modernity and innovation, capturing the essence of Microcar’s vision for urban mobility.
NEVS
Founded: 2012
Parent company: China Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Group
Website: www.nevs.com
The NEVS automobile logo features a sleek and modern design, incorporating a combination of bold, sharp lines and elegant curves. It represents the brand’s commitment to innovation and sustainable mobility, reflecting their vision for the future of electric vehicles. The logo’s minimalist approach and striking color palette convey a sense of sophistication and cutting-edge technology.
Aspid
Founded: 2003
Website: www.aspidcars.com
The Aspid car logo represents the company’s trading name of IFR Automotive, S.L., a Spanish automobile manufacturer. The name of the company comes from the viper species (Vipera aspis) found in northern Spain — where the company is based. The Aspid logo is associated with the company’s reputation for setting new standards for supercars with its own patents for chassis, brakes, suspension, electronics and more. The Aspid logo is a symbol of innovation and excellence in the automotive industry.
Cupra
Founded: 1985
Parent company: SEAT S.A.
Website: www.cupraofficial.com
The Cupra car logo is a distinctive emblem that represents the brand’s sporty and dynamic identity. With its sleek design and bold typography, the logo embodies the essence of performance and luxury that Cupra vehicles offer. It serves as a symbol of prestige and power, capturing the attention of automotive enthusiasts around the world.
Lancia
Information: Lancia logo meaning
Founded: November 27, 1906
Parent company: Stellantis
Website: www.lancia.com
The Lancia logo is a timeless symbol of elegance and luxury. With its iconic silver shield and stylish typography, it captures the essence of the brand’s heritage and sophistication. The logo reflects Lancia’s commitment to craftsmanship and attention to detail, making it instantly recognizable to car enthusiasts worldwide.
Saab
Information: Saab logo meaning
Founded: 1945
Parent company: Saab AB (1945–1968); Saab-Scania (1968–1990); General Motors (1990–2010); Spyker N.V. (2010–2012); NEVS (2012–2014)
Website: saabparts.com/international
The Saab automobile logo features a distinctive design that reflects the brand’s Swedish heritage. It showcases a stylized griffin, a mythical creature symbolizing strength and elegance, embodying Saab’s commitment to producing high-performance and innovative vehicles. The logo’s sleek lines and minimalist approach convey a sense of sophistication and timeless appeal.
Scania
Information: Scania logo meaning
Founded: 1911
Parent company: Traton
Website: www.scania.com
The Scania logo represents the brand’s commitment to quality and reliability in the automotive industry. With its bold and streamlined design, the logo reflects Scania’s reputation for engineering excellence and cutting-edge technology. It serves as a symbol of trust and innovation for customers worldwide.
Polestar
Information: Polestar logo meaning
Founded: 1996
Website: www.polestar.com
The Polestar automobile logo features a simple and sleek design that represents the brand’s commitment to minimalist aesthetics and innovative technology. The emblem showcases a modern, forward-facing arrow enclosed in a circle, symbolizing the brand’s dynamic and progressive approach to electric mobility.
Lynk & Co
Founded: 2016
Website: www.lynkco.com
The Lynk & Co automobile logo is a distinctive and sleek design that captures the brand’s modern and innovative image. Its combination of bold typography and an elegant geometric shape conveys a sense of sophistication and forward-thinking. The logo effectively represents Lynk & Co’s commitment to pushing boundaries in the automotive industry.
Irizar
Founded: 1889
Website: www.irizar.com
The Irizar automobile logo embodies sleek elegance and modernity. Its sophisticated design captures the essence of Irizar’s commitment to cutting-edge technology and innovation in the automotive industry. The logo’s sleek lines and bold typography make a strong statement, reflecting the brand’s reputation for high-quality craftsmanship and superior performance.
Tauro Sport Auto
Founded: 2010
The Tauro Sport Auto logo embodies the spirit of speed and luxury, with its sleek and dynamic design. The emblem captures the essence of the brand’s commitment to delivering high-performance sports cars with a touch of elegance.
Spania GTA
Founded: 1994
Parent company: GTA Motor Competición
Website: www.spaniagta.com
The Spania GTA logo embodies elegance and power, reflecting the brand’s commitment to luxury and performance. With its sleek design and iconic emblem, the logo captures the essence of the Spania GTA brand, making a statement of sophistication and excellence.
Tramontana
Founded: 2007
The Tramontana automobile logo features a sleek and futuristic design that reflects the brand’s commitment to innovation and performance. The logo’s flowing lines and dynamic shape symbolize speed and agility, capturing the essence of the Tramontana driving experience.
Hispano-Suiza
Founded: June 14, 1904
Website: www.hispanosuizacars.com
The Hispano-Suiza automobile logo represents a rich heritage of elegance and sophistication. With its iconic design, the logo embodies the brand’s commitment to luxury and craftsmanship, reflecting the legacy of the renowned Spanish automobile manufacturer.
Pegaso
Founded: 1946
Parent company: Hispano-Suiza
The Pegaso automobile logo is a striking emblem that captures the essence of speed and elegance. With its sleek design and powerful horse symbol, it represents the brand’s commitment to performance and luxury. The logo’s timeless appeal reflects Pegaso’s rich heritage in the automotive industry.
Abadal
Founded: 1912
Defunct: 1923
The Abadal automobile logo is a symbol of elegance and sophistication. Its sleek design embodies the brand’s commitment to luxury and performance, reflecting the exceptional craftsmanship found in their vehicles. With its distinctive shape and attention to detail, the Abadal logo captures the essence of the brand’s timeless appeal.
European Sports Car Brands
European sports car brands are renowned for their luxurious designs, exceptional performance, and cutting-edge technology. From iconic manufacturers like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche to prestigious brands like Aston Martin and McLaren, Europe boasts a rich heritage of crafting some of the world’s most coveted sports cars. These brands symbolize a perfect blend of elegance, speed, and precision, captivating automotive enthusiasts worldwide.
Ferrari
Information: Ferrari logo meaning
Founded: 13 September 1939
Website: www.ferrari.com
Parent company: Exor S.p.A., Piero Ferrari
The logo was inspired by the prancing horse depicted on the plane of the World War I hero Francesco Barraca. It has been used by Ferrari since 1929.
Lamborghini
Information: Lamborghini logo meaning
Founded: 1963
Website: www.lamborghini.com/
Parent company: Audi
There is more than one explanation why the Lamborghini symbol is the bull. Firstly, Ferrucio Lamborghini’s astrological sign was the Taurus (or the bull). Also, Ferrucio was staying on the Miura Ranch, known for its bulls, when the idea to create his company came to him. However, legend has it, that actually Ferrucio just copied the Ferrari logo so as tease Enzo Ferrari.
Bugatti
Information: Bugatti logo meaning
Founded: 1909
The logo of Bugatti, the renowned sports car manufacturer, embodies power, speed, and elegance. With its signature horseshoe shape and the iconic Bugatti initials, the logo represents the brand’s rich heritage and commitment to exceptional performance. It serves as a symbol of luxury and automotive excellence in the world of high-performance sports cars.
McLaren
Information: McLaren logo meaning
Founded: 2 December 1985
Website: cars.mclaren.com
The logo of McLaren, the renowned sports car manufacturer, is a symbol of speed, precision, and innovation. Its sleek design embodies the brand’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive performance, making it instantly recognizable and iconic in the world of sports cars.
Koenigsegg
Information: Koenigsegg logo meaning
Founded: 1994
Website: www.koenigsegg.com
Koenigsegg’s logo for their sports cars embodies power, elegance, and precision. The iconic emblem combines sleek lines and a crowned shield, symbolizing the brand’s commitment to royalty-like performance and innovation in the automotive industry. The logo is a visual representation of Koenigsegg’s relentless pursuit of excellence and their status as a leader in the world of high-performance sports cars.
European Luxury Car Brands
European luxury car brands are renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, and unmatched performance. From iconic names like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi to prestigious marques such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Aston Martin, these brands epitomize elegance and sophistication in the automotive world. With a rich heritage and a commitment to delivering opulent driving experiences, European luxury car brands continue to set the standard for luxury and refinement.
Rolls Royce
Information: Rolls-Royce logo meaning
Founded: 1904
Parent company: BMW
Website: www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com
The logo is built around the two “R’s”, the first letters of the company name. We should also mention the mascot, which can be seen on the cars since the 1920s. The so-called Spirit of Ecstasy was based on a sculpture inspired by actress Eleanor Thornton.
Aston Martin
Information: Aston Martin logo meaning
Founded: 1913
Website: www.astonmartin.com
The Aston Martin logo features one more very popular symbol of speed and movement, a wing pattern, with the name of the brand placed over it.
Maserati
Information: Maserati logo meaning
Founded: December 1, 1914
Website: www.maserati.com
The logo of Maserati, the renowned sports car manufacturer, is a symbol of luxury, elegance, and power. Featuring a trident, inspired by the statue of Neptune in Bologna, Italy, the logo represents the brand’s strong and dynamic persona, capturing the essence of its high-performance vehicles. Maserati’s logo has become synonymous with precision engineering and a passion for speed, making it instantly recognizable among automotive enthusiasts worldwide.
Maybach
Information: Maybach logo meaning
Founded: 1909
Website: maybach.com
The Maybach logo embodies the essence of luxury and performance in the world of sports cars. Its sleek design and elegant typography reflect the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship and precision. The iconic double M emblem symbolizes power, sophistication, and the pursuit of automotive excellence.