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
Pagani
Information: Pagani logo meaning
Founded: 1992
Website: www.pagani.com
Aixam
Founded: 1983
Website: aixam.com
Ligier
Founded: 1968
Parent company: 21 Investimenti Partners
Website: ligier.fr
Venturi
Founded: 1984
Website: www.venturi.com
Microcar
Founded: 1984
NEVS
Founded: 2012
Parent company: China Evergrande New Energy Vehicle Group
Website: www.nevs.com
Aspid
Founded: 2003
Website: www.aspidcars.com
Cupra
Founded: 1985
Parent company: SEAT S.A.
Website: www.cupraofficial.com
Lancia
Information: Lancia logo meaning
Founded: November 27, 1906
Parent company: Stellantis
Website: www.lancia.com
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
Scania
Information: Scania logo meaning
Founded: 1911
Parent company: Traton
Website: www.scania.com
Polestar
Information: Polestar logo meaning
Founded: 1996
Website: www.polestar.com
Lynk & Co
Founded: 2016
Website: www.lynkco.com
Irizar
Founded: 1889
Website: www.irizar.com
Tauro Sport Auto
Founded: 2010
Spania GTA
Founded: 1994
Parent company: GTA Motor Competición
Website: www.spaniagta.com
Tramontana
Founded: 2007
Hispano-Suiza
Founded: June 14, 1904
Website: www.hispanosuizacars.com
Pegaso
Founded: 1946
Parent company: Hispano-Suiza
Abadal
Founded: 1912
Defunct: 1923
European Sports Car Brands
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
McLaren
Information: McLaren logo meaning
Founded: 2 December 1985
Website: cars.mclaren.com
Koenigsegg
Information: Koenigsegg logo meaning
Founded: 1994
Website: www.koenigsegg.com
European Luxury Car Brands
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
Maybach
Information: Maybach logo meaning
Founded: 1909
Website: maybach.com
