Why are most manufacturer logos round?

[volvoforlife]

Just a small observation, but I noticed that most car manufacturers have a roundel for their logo. Is there a specific reason for this? I like the logos of Porsche/Lambo/Ferrari because they look like shields and not round. Anyone know?

So far I think VW, Volvo, Skoda, Audi, Nissan, Alfa Romeo, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Lexus, Hyundai, Vauxhall/Opel, Toyota, Mazda, Accura, Infiniti, Ford, Chrysler all have round logos.

[Gizmo!]

They fit on the hubcaps?

I've wondered this before too actually.

[Dracoro]

Audi's isn't round....

[volvoforlife]

Dracoro said:

Audi's isn't round....

Well, its many rounds

[175gt]

I think there's a difference between truly round logos and logos which are maybe highlighted/contained by a ring?

So, BMW round, Opel/Vauxhall ringed (so to speak).?

Or maybe I'm just talking bks.

[alsem]

because the wheels of a car are round?

[sebhaque]

I've always thought it's because it's easier to machine out a circle than a bespoke logo shape. After all, if a wheel is machined out on a sixaxis or similar, it's a simple cut operation rather than having to machine out the logo groove.

[Strawman]

I think it dates back to when they formed a decorated cap for the radiator top. Of course there are exceptions, like the bonnet mascot on Rolls Royce, or the double chevron for Citroen, illustrating the gears they made before cars, I think the Audi four circles was in honour of the four car companies that were amalgamated into one to make Audi.

Edited by Strawman on Monday 4th October 00:23

[Funk]

Strawman said:

I think the Audi four circles was in honour of the four car companies that were amalgamated into one to make Audi.

Should they add another 4 rings to it now then?

[davepoth]

Horsch, Wanderer, DKW and Auto-Union IIRC.

[Pothole]

davepoth said:

Horsch, Wanderer, DKW and Auto-Union IIRC.

Nope, Audi, DKW, Horch & Wanderer joined to form Auto Union (clue in the name) which used the 4 circles logo in 1932.

Although Auto Union used the four ring logo, it was only used on Auto Union racing cars in that period, while the member companies used their own names and emblems.

It became known as Audi after various shenanigans in the 50s and 60s the company was called Audi NSU Auto-Union AG, shortened to AudiAG in 1985, at which point Auto Union ceased to exist as a brand.

ETA, interestingly, both Horch and Audi were founded by August Horch.

Edited by Pothole on Monday 4th October 01:34

[davepoth]

D'oh! Interesting fact though, Horch means "Listen" in German. Audi means "Listen" in Latin.

[Pothole]

davepoth said:

D'oh! Interesting fact though, Horch means "Listen" in German. Audi means "Listen" in Latin.

Once he had an idea, he clearly flogged it till it squeaked.

[Hitch78]

The Ford logo isn't round

[Stonebridge]

Here's a few I found.
I've always liked the Rover badge.
MG is octagonal. Does that count as non-circular! :0

Edited by Stonebridge on Monday 4th October 10:35

[Alfanatic]

There aren't that many shapes, that are simple to look at and containing enough area to put a decent logo in, that you can use to base your badge on. It's going to be either a square, a shield, a hexagon, a rectangle, an oval, or a circle. Or some simple variation. A star is already too complicated to look good.

So, limited options, lots of companies, circle is going to be popular. So is shield, but square won't be popular, because it would look st as a car badge.

IMO.

EDITED to fix my screwed up plurals

Edited by Alfanatic on Monday 4th October 09:31

[Deranged Granny]

sebhaque said:

I've always thought it's because it's easier to machine out a circle than a bespoke logo shape. After all, if a wheel is machined out on a sixaxis or similar, it's a simple cut operation rather than having to machine out the logo groove.

I'm sure if they're making a car, they can work that one out!

[Hitch78]

Deranged Granny said:

sebhaque said:

I've always thought it's because it's easier to machine out a circle than a bespoke logo shape. After all, if a wheel is machined out on a sixaxis or similar, it's a simple cut operation rather than having to machine out the logo groove.

I'm sure if they're making a car, they can work that one out!

Cost thing though innit

[Alfanatic]

Hitch78 said:

Deranged Granny said:

sebhaque said:

I've always thought it's because it's easier to machine out a circle than a bespoke logo shape. After all, if a wheel is machined out on a sixaxis or similar, it's a simple cut operation rather than having to machine out the logo groove.

I'm sure if they're making a car, they can work that one out!

Cost thing though innit

Makes no difference if it's only the border that's round and the actual detail bit in the middle is lots of squiggles.