World-Famous Car Logos
When you're out on the road, there are cars you'll recognize instantly, even without seeing the brand name. That's when you know the designers have done their jobs right—when logos leave such a lasting impression that they stand out immediately. We're betting you know all the ones on this list. From Toyota to Porsche, here are 20 of the most recognizable car logos in the world.
1. Toyota
Founded by Kiichiro Toyoda in 1937, Toyota is considered one of the world's largest and most popular car manufacturers, selling around 10 million automobiles a year. For this reason, their logo remains widely recognized. If you look closer at the logo, you'll find that each letter in "Toyota" can be spelled out.
2. Honda
Another Japanese automobile manufacturer, Honda was founded by Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa in 1948. While Honda was in charge of engineering and production, Fujisawa handled the business and financial side of things. Together, they went on to create one of the most well-known brands in the world.
3. Mercedes-Benz
Known fondly as just Mercedes or sometimes as Benz, this German luxury car brand was founded in 1926 by Karl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler, Wilhelm Maybach, and Emil Jellinek. It was named after Jellinek's daughter, Mercedes Jellinek. The company's logo, a three-pointed star, represents land, sea, and air—and its ambition to lead these environments with Mercedes-Benz engines.
4. Volkswagen
Volkswagen is another household automobile brand name, known best for its famous Beetle model and overall exceptional engineering.
Though presently headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany, it was founded in Berlin in 1937 during a turbulent era in history.
5. Ford
Founded by Henry Ford in 1903, the Ford Motor Company is part of the Big Three car manufacturers in the United States, the other two being General Motors and Stellantis (formerly known as Chrysler). Many likely know Ford best for their trucks, but they produce reliable SUVs, hybrids, vans, and other vehicles as well.
6. Tesla
Tesla is known best for its innovative technology and electric vehicles. Founded by Elon Musk in 2003, they're one of the most talked-about brands today—including their recently released Cybertruck that you may have seen on the road. Its logo represents a cross-section of an electric motor.
7. BMW
Short for "Bayerische Motoren Werke," which translates to Bavarian Motor Works, BMW is another well-known German automobile brand. It was founded in 1916 by Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto during the merger between both companies (Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke AG and Flugmaschinenfabrik Gustav Otto, respectively) under the government's order.
8. Mazda
Founded in 1920 by Jujiro Matsuda, Mazda was initially a cork-manufacturing factory named Toyo Cork Kogyo. As the market became saturated, the company began selling mechanics—three-wheel pick-up trucks and small vehicles—in 1931, evolving into the Mazda brand it's known as today. The V-shaped wings of its logo represent the company's goal to "soar to new heights".
Tristan Beischel @Autoily.com on Unsplash
9. Audi
Founded by August Horch in 1909, the name "Audi" is Latin for Horch and translates to "listen" in English. Its logo—four interlocked rings—represents the merger between four automobile companies: Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer.
At the time, it was the second-largest automobile group in Germany.
10. Hyundai
Hyundai began with the founding of Hyundai Engineering & Construction in 1947 by Chung Ju-yung, with the goal of building new roads in South Korea's post-war era; fittingly, "Hyundai" means "modernity" in English. Shortly after, in 1967, the Hyundai Motor Company was established. The logo represents both an "H" and a handshake between two people.
11. Ferrari
Though Ferrari was founded in 1947 by Enzo Ferrari, its roots can be traced back to the creation of the Scuderia Ferrari racing team in 1929. The horse in its logo, the "Cavallino Rampante" or Prancing Horse, is a symbol of good luck.
Pablo de la Fuente on Unsplash
12. Lamborghini
Another well-known luxury sports car brand, Lamborghini was founded in Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963. Born a Taurus, the symbol of his zodiac sign—a bull—became the brand's logo, representing strength and determination. This raging bull is also meant to rival that of Ferrari's Prancing Horse.
13. Nissan
The first Nissan was produced in 1914 under Datsun, a manufacturing brand owned by Nissan. It wasn't until 1933 that Yoshisuke Aikawa established Nissan's name, marking its official debut. Its logo remains simple and modern, and it has become one of the most recognizable car logos in the world.
14. Porsche
Known for its luxury and remarkable engineering, Porsche is another brand that everyone knows.
It was founded by Ferdinand Porsche in 1931 in Stuttgart, Germany, and its logo is inspired by the city's seal—a rearing horse.
15. Volvo
A Swedish automobile manufacturing giant, Volvo was founded by Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson in 1927. Its first-ever produced vehicle was the ÖV4, nicknamed Jakob, and was an open tourer with a four-cylinder engine. Its logo includes the chemical symbol for iron (not the symbol for male, contrary to popular belief), representing strength and resiliency.
16. Subaru
Founded by Kenji Kita in 1953, the name Subaru has two meanings: it's both the name of the Pleiades star cluster and is the Japanese word for "unite" or "gather together". Its logo takes inspiration from the brand's name, featuring a group of twinkling stars.
17. Jaguar
William Lyons and William Walmsley founded Jaguar in 1922, and it remains headquartered in the United Kingdom where it was established. A luxury sports car brand, its logo is a perfect depiction of what it's meant to represent: a leaping jaguar symbolizing elegance, performance, and power.
18. Bentley
Founded by brothers W. O. Bentley and H. M. Bentley in 1919, Bentley went on to become one of the most recognizable names in the automobile industry. Its logo, a winged "B," represents freedom, strength, and the exhilaration of motion.
19. Suzuki
Suzuki was founded by Michio Suzuki in 1909 and is known to produce some of the most reliable vehicles—including ATVs, motorcycles, and more—on the market today. Its logo is also memorable, featuring a sleek, simple, stylized "S".
20. Kia
A subsidiary brand of Hyundai Motor Company, Kia was established in 1944.
It's considered the second-largest automobile manufacturer in South Korea after its parent organization. Its logo was redesigned in 2021 with all the letters in "Kia" connected—representing symmetry and rhythm—but has been met with confusion.
