Logos - Automobile industry - IV

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi had its beginning when a young Japanese entrepreneur named Yataro Iwasaki who was working for the Tosa Clan moved to start a small shipping company called Tsukumo Shokai in the year 1870. For the logo of the newly started entity, he took his own family crest with its three stacked diamonds along with that of the Tosa Clan with its three oak leaves joined at the stem resulting in an emblem of three diamonds meeting at a central point.

Source: (http://www.mitsubishi-motors-europe.com/corporate/history/)

Slight modifications to it resulted in the current logo of the company.

(Source: http://www.mitsubishi-motors-europe.com/corporate/history/)

His decision to rename the company after the three diamonds in the logo gave birth to the name Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi is a combination of the words 'mitsu' meaning three and 'hishi' meaning water chestnut though the Japanese have used the word to denote a rhombus or diamond shape. As the Japanese often give 'h' a 'b' sound, the combination resulted in the name Mitsubishi.

Today Mitsubishi Group consists of a range of autonomous businesses which share the same brand and trademark. The past years saw the company expanding its businesses and a slight additions to the logo.

At times the logo was added with the company slogans, in English and Japanese. In 1955 the company name was introduced in a font called Mitarashi-ryu which was used till 1963.

1955-1963
(Source: http://global.mitsubishielectric.com)

In 1964, the catchphrase, 'with you today and tomorrow' was incorporated to the name and general logo.

(Source: http://global.mitsubishielectric.com)

The 80th anniversary of Mitsubishi Electric brought with it the slogan 'Changes for the better' to its emblem. The Blue symbol continues to be used in Japan, while the type of industry is used overseas to separate them within the Mitsubishi Group.

(Source: http://global.mitsubishielectric.com)

Aston Martin



The company Aston Martin Lagonda Limited which was part of the Ford Motor Company from 1997 to 2007 was bought by a consortium of two major international investment houses, the Investment Dar and the Adeem Investment, led by David Richards of Prodrive along with the English businessman John Sinders in 2007.

The iconic brand of James Bond, the 1.5 litre Bamford & Martin Sidevalve Short Chassis Tourer was the first car driven by him in the first Young Bond novel, SilverFin written by Charlie Higson. From the movie, Goldfinger to Quantum of Solace, Aston Martin cars continue featuring in the Bond movies.

Bramford & Martin Sidevalve Short Chassis Tourer
(Source: http://commanderbond.net/article/2694)

DBS series seen in Casino Royale & Quantum of Solace

Bamford & Martin Limited was a company formed by the founders of Aston Martin, Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford in the year 1912 to sell the cars made by Singer. Their decision to form a company of their own resulted in the birth of the entity, Aston Martin. The first win by Lionel Martin in the Aston Hill Climb of 1914 was the source of inspiration for this brand name that continues to remain passionate about the cars produced by them.

The logo of the company saw a few changes over the years.

Logos of Aston Martin (Source: www.pixelmash.co.za)

The first logo of the company of 1921 was the outcome of the amalgamation of the letters A&M from its name. The year 1932 saw a transition when it was said to have borrowed the two wings of Bentley to its symbol denoting speed.

When in 1947, David Brown Limited bought Aston Martin and Lagonda, it resulted in the addition of his name to the cars manufactured. His intention to develop new models also saw the outset of the DB series, with the first being launched in 1948.

Logo - 1947 to 1987

In the year 1987, Ford Motor Company acquired a 75% stakeholding in the company which was later increased to 100% by 1994.

Logo - From 1987

The company still strives to uphold the vision of Lionel Martin, to manufacture, "A quality car of good performance and appearance: a car for the discerning owner driver with fast touring in mind, designed, developed, engineered and built as an individual".

Toyota


In the year 1936, Toyoda Automatic Loom Works Ltd held a competition to create a new symbol for the promotion of its new vehicles. It is said that 27,000 people replied to it, with the winning design leading to the change in the name of the automobiles and plants from Toyoda to Toyota.

The emblem of Toyoda in the background (Source: Toyota)

The eight strokes required to write Toyota in Japanese was thought to bring luck and prosperity. The Model AA was the first car launched under the name Toyota. Though no longer used as the emblem in the automobiles, the mark is still used today as the corporate emblem of Toyota Motor Corporation. However, the usage of the word 'TOYOTA' in roman type resulted in misinterpretation from country to country because of the absence of proper branding. This brought into existence the new logo of the company in 1989.

To quote the company,

"The current Toyota Mark consists of three ovals: the two perpendicular center ovals represent a relationship of mutual trust between the customer and Toyota. These ovals combine to symbolize the letter "T" for Toyota. The space in the background implies a global expansion of Toyota's technology and unlimited potential for the future."

(Source: Toyota)

A search for the logo of the company, also reveals the above picture which is the emblem seen on the pin badge given to all the employees of the Toyota Motor Corporation upon joining.



Jaguar

Founded as Swallow Sidecar Company in Blackpool in the year 1922 by Bill Lyons and William Walmsley, the company started as a manufacturer of sidecars and other small vehicles.

Logo of Swallow Sidecar Company (Source: Wikipedia)

In 1931, the company got into an agreement with the Standard Motor Company to build chassis to Swallow's design for its new model of cars and launched these in the name of 'SS'. The Swallow Sidecar Company later got itself registered as SS Cars Ltd in 1934. But the name and the logo of the newly registered company which had similarity to the Nazi's SS and its eagle made the company rename it as Jaguar Cars Ltd in 1945.

Logo of SS Cars Ltd (Source: Wikipedia)

However, the name 'Jaguar' sprang up in 1935 on its new saloon and sports car model of cars which were called as 'SS Jaguar'. To quote the company, 'The 'Jaguar' name was an ideal choice - feline grace and elegance, combining docility with remarkable power and agility'.

SS Jaguar

Jaguar is now part of the Tata Motor Company after it was bought by the company for $2.3bn in March, 2008.



Opel

Opel had its beginning as a manufacturer of sewing machines in the year 1862. Founded by Adam Opel, the business as well as the emblem saw a great many transitions over the years.

(Source: Opel)

Oldest logo of the company with letters 'A' for Adam and 'O' for Opel in the year 1862.

(Source: Opel)

A shift into the manufacture of cycles also brought a change in the emblem of the company. The new emblem with the word 'Blitz', the name given to its new cycles, adorned its bicycles during the end of the 19th century.

(Source: Opel)

The company enters into the production of cars under the name 'Opel' in 1899.

(Source: Opel)

This logo adorns the first vehicle built entirely by Opel in 1902.

(Source: Opel)

The logo of Opel in the year 1909 seen in the 4/8 hp, two-seater car 'Doktorwagen' .

(Source: Opel)

Based on the suggestion from the Grand Duke of Hesse, Plant Manager Riedel and Mr.Stief developed the 'Opel Eye" which existed during 1910-1935.

(Source: Opel)

A new emblem adorned the radiaor grilles of Opel Blitz truck models from 1936.

(Source: Opel)

(Source: Opel)

Opel Blitz logo saw a change in 1937 and the year 1937 saw it again adopting a new emblem for the company and its dealerships.

(Source: Opel)

The emblem of Opel Admiral with a 3.6 liter six-cylinder engine, in 1938.

(Source: Opel)

The year 1946 saw the company manufacturing household refrigerator, Frigidaire.

(Source: Opel)

Modifications to the 1930s logo were made in 1950s.

(Source: Opel)

The bow and stern emblem adorned Opel Rekord A and Kadett A models built during 1963-64.

(Source: Opel)

The 1964 model of cars saw the logo of blitz in them.

(Source: Opel)

1970s saw the square logo representing the company and the dealerships of Opel.

(Source: Opel)

The corporate logo from 1987-2002.

(Source: Opel)

In 1999, the company brought a minor change to its emblem to celebrate the 100th year in car production.

(Source: Opel)

The current logo had its birth in 2002 with the launch of Opel Corsa C.

Logos - Automobile industry - III

Porsche


Professor Ferdinand Porsche started a company called “Dr. ing. h. c. F. Porsche GmbH” in 1931, in Stuttgart. It offered motor vehicle development work and consulting but did not build any cars under its own name during the initial period. One of the first assignments the new company received was from the German government to design a car for the people, a “Volkswagen” . This resulted in the birth of Volkswagen Beetle. The first Porsche, the Porsche 64, was developed in 1939 using many components from the Beetle.

In 1945 the Volkswagen factory fell into the hands of the British and Ferdinand Porsche was arrested for war crimes. Ferdinand Porsche’s son, Ferry Porsche, decided to build his own car because he could not find an existing one that he wanted to buy. The first models of what was to become the 356 were built in a small sawmill in Gmünd, Austria and this model is considered by many as the first car of Porsche.

The Porsche’s company logo was based on the coat of arms of Free people's State of Württemberg which had Stuttgart as its capital and became part of Baden- Württemberg after the political consolidation of West Germany in 1949.

Flag of Württemberg

Coat of arms of Stuttgart

Weimar-era Württemberg coat of arms

Peugeot

(Source: Peugeot)

Goldsmith and engraver, Julien Blazer, designed the first Peugeot emblem of lion walking on an arrow at the request of Jules and Emile Peugeot, the founders of Peugeot Frères in 1847. Having started as a pepper, salt, coffee mill manufacturer in 1842, the manufacturing of the saw blades brought success to the family business.

The Lion in 1858 (Source: Peugeot)

The Lion was engraved in the saw and the laminated edge tools manufactured by the company. The strong teeth like that of the lion, the suppleness of the blade like the lion's spine and the swiftness of the cut made comparison of the saw with the lion easier. In order to identify the three levels of quality, other logos were used like a crescent moon and a hand.

The Peugeot lion went through a number of changes over the years. The merger of Armand Peugeot's company and Eugène Peugeot's sons in 1910 saw a haughtiness in the face of the lion that was reminiscent of the majestic Lion of Belfort, created after the war of 1870.

The lion in combat for cycles - with or without engines - and a lion's head on a shield for automobiles came later on. In 1927, it could be seen crouching on three legs and perched on a spur on the edge of a precipice, ready to pounce on its prey, and in 1932 the graphics were modernised.

Lion in 1925 (Source: Peugeot)

Lion in 1936 (Source: Peugeot)

In 1948, the lion standing on its hind legs was borrowed from the Franche-Comté coat of arms.

The Franche-Comté coat of arms

Lion in 1950 (Source: Peugeot)

From 1965 onwards, only the head was shown, which was framed in a shield.

Lion in 1965 (Source: Peugeot)

Three years later the curved lines of this image were abandoned in favour of an angular design enclosed in a square.


In September 1958, the little roaring lion mascot that had adorned the bonnet of Peugeot since the 1930s were discontinued for security reasons. The year 1976 saw the return of the lion, with just its outline.

Lion in 1980s (Source: Peugeot)

1998 saw the birth of the lion in a metallic block on a blue square background. This latest change was slightly reworked in 2002.


In May 1976, the Peugeot-Citroën group was created by the merger of Citroën SA and Peugeot SA in which Peugeot took over Citroën. PSA Peugeot-Citroën holds 100% of the two automakers. The birth of PSA Peugeot-Citroën, formerly known as Peugeot Société Anonyme, though comprises of the two brands that makes use of a common technology, development and assembly assets has a separate marketing and sales structure.

Logo of PSA Peugeot Citroën