logo changes of brands

For the global automotive industry, the past decade has ushered sweeping change not only on the technological front but also in the presentation of their brand logos. 

citroen 

French carmaker Citroën made way for a flat monochrome design in 2016. By removing the chrome effect from its two chevrons, they hoped to achieve more visibility. Citroen simplified its logo while also reviving some historic cues in the process. The dual upward arrows now with less beveling, of course—are positioned within an oval badge that harkens back to the original Citroen logo from 1919.

honda 

Honda has a new retro logo—but only for its EVs. The company updated its iconic “H mark,” which has been around since the early 1960s. This new look will debut on Honda's 0 Series range of electric cars, with the Saloon and Space Hub concepts previewing the first production vehicles.

jaguar

Jaguar's “leaper” logo has been around since 1982, and in 2021, it received a subtle makeover. Since 2012, the “leaper” logo had a silver finish with embossed elements, while this newer look opts for a flattened, simplified look. It's nearly identical to the logo the company used from 2001 to 2012, with a few updated lines.

kia 

Kia had one of the more controversial redesigns on this list. The company shed its longstanding oval identity and went with an ultra-sleek new logo. But the lack of spacing between the "I" and "A" in "KIA" still has some people on the internet wondering what the new "KN" car is.

lamborghini

Lamborghini's raging bull logo has been a staple since 1963—and this new iteration is barely different. Lamborghini flattened the shield and raging bull, and went with a subtler bronze finish over gold.

maserati 

Maserati tweaked its iconic Trident logo twice in recent history. The automaker ditched the oval surround and red coloration back in 2015 and opted for a simplified trident instead. In 2020, it further simplified the logo and cleaned up the text.

mini

Mini was one of the first brands to remove the raised edgess and go completely flat. The historic winged logo loses its silvery edges and opts for a monotone, minimalist design, like many other updated emblems on the list.

nissan 

Japanese car brand Nissan, have only recently updated its logo, launching a flat and more stylised version of its previous emblem, which boasted a raised, life lie badge effect. The company name still sits front and centre, but the former circle has been simplified into two basic lines. The new logo is more "digital-friendly" according to the automaker and was the first time it had changed its visual identity in 20 years. Nissan's former logo was stuck in the '90s with hard beveled edges and a shiny silver finish. Thankfully, this new logo goes 2D with a simpler wordmark and a minimalist look, even ditching the sharp edges of the previous emblem for a sleeker open design.

porsche

Porsche went with the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" redesign. The classic crest logo remains, but now it features more pronounced "Stuttgart" lettering at the top, new honeycomb-like vertical slats, and less spackling on the bronze elements. Porsche even added a new Turbo-specific badge to its lineup.

renault 

Renault really went simple with its logo redesign in 2021. The Renault name was removed entirely and the silver diamond logo is now two interlocking angular lines that create the same shape.

rolls royce 

The Rolls-Royce logo received a makeover in 2020. A simplified version of the double "R" logo and a sleeker Spirit of Ecstasy were both part of the rebrand, plus a new signature color called Purple Spirit. The automaker even updated its corporate font from Gil Sans Alt to Riviera Nights.

toyato 

The Toyota logo is instantly one of the most recognisable in the world of automotive, however they too have joined the party in unveiling a simplified, 2D embed made up of three overlapping ovals. Toyota touched up its logo in 2020 with a new 2D look but it didn't change much. The company shed the silver and embossed elements for a cleaner, flatter logo in dark grey or white. The Japanese auto company first changed its logo from 2D to 3D in the late 1980s, but recently reverted back to the old flat design to ensure "longevity in a digital world". 

volkswagen

The Volkswagen logo has been conceptually the same since the company’s founding in 1937. So for the redesign in 2019, VW cleaned up its look with a flattened design that features no bevelling Formerly 3D and featuring a chrome-effect, Volkswagen reduced its logo to its basic elements in September 2019. The new flattened version was the brands first major change to its visual identity, since adopting the 3D design in 2000. And for the first time in history, the "W" doesn't connect with the lower portion of the outer edge.

volvo

Volvo quietly updated its logo in 2021 and, again, opted for the minimalist route. The logo is flatter, cleaner, and simpler than the silvery logo from the mid-2000s. The company even removed the rectangular housing for the Volvo wordmark.

BENTLEY

Bentley’s emblem is among the most prestigious in the world of automobiles, representing luxury in the UK and worldwide. The iconic Bentley symbol began its journey in 1919 with founder Walter Owen Bentley, and its winged design is a nod to the company’s original name, Bentley Aero.

Before venturing into automobiles, Bentley manufactured rotary plane engines during World War I, giving the winged logo a historical context. Today, those wings also symbolize speed and freedom.

BMW

In March 2020, BMW unveiled a minimalist redesign of its logo, revealing a new, transparent backdrop. This was the first overhaul of its iconic emblem, since 1997.

The logo was flattened, removing shadows on both the black ring and the blue and white inner circle. By introducing a transparent band, the new design takes on different colours and patterns depending on the background on which it is placed.First featured on BMW's electric Concept i4 vehicle, the logo definitely divided opinion .BMW, renowned worldwide for its luxury and stunning designs, has garnered a devoted following over the years who proudly embrace the BMW roundel.The exact meaning of this emblem remains a topic of debate. Some suggest it represents the blue sky and a plane propeller, reflecting BMW’s aviation history.