Historically, the crown is considered a symbol of power, one of the main regalia of monarchs and titled persons. It was worn by emperors and kings, princes and dukes, counts and Roman popes. In people’s mythology and beliefs, they “equipped” various deities with inhuman abilities, strength, and power. Throughout human history, crowns have taken various forms and were often made of pure gold or silver, inlaid with precious stones. Native Americans, even before the arrival of the first European colonists, incorporated beautiful bird feathers into their jewelry. In the modern world, many brands incorporate this mark into their logos as a symbol of power, strength, and superiority, highlighting their advantages over competitors in their respective fields.
Why do automobile manufacturers choose a logo with a crown?
As part of the logo, the crown emblem does not demonstrate superiority; rather, it serves as an image element that conveys the prestige of its bearer. That is why most companies actively use it in their trademarks. In addition, many associate this symbol with a sense of authority, which confers high status on the organization in the client’s eyes. By incorporating regalia imagery, large corporations convey a high image that has been established over time. Additionally, this element helps establish the price category the product belongs to and its corresponding quality level. Although the wreath is often featured in logos, each instance has a unique graphic design.
Toyota Crown
Toyota Crown is a line of full-size sedans. During its existence, the brand has created 15 generations of the series. The car belongs to the Premium category. Its unique design adds elegance and emphasizes the owner’s character traits. The main objective of sales is to target the Japanese and select Asian audiences.
Toyota Crown has taken a leading position in the brand’s model range, thanks to its unwavering reputation, established in 1955, the year of its first release. The interior design has undergone numerous changes, evolving into a model of privilege. The stylized image of the princely crown on the steering wheel and grille evidences this. Smooth lines and smooth curves suggest stability and nobility. The car embodies independence and refined thought, which are considered central features of the aristocracy.
Scania
The Swedish company, founded in 1891 as a manufacturer of bicycle cars, began producing buses, trucks, and commercial vehicles, as well as diesel engines for ships and industry, in 1920. From 1968 to 1995, it was part of SAAB, during which period it gained recognition for its heavy-duty trucks.
The modern version of the Scania logo was designed back in 1984 in collaboration with artist and sculptor Carl Fredrik Reitersvard. The main element was a crowned red mythical beast, a griffin. It was taken from the coat of arms of Count von Skane and symbolized speed, attention to detail, courage, and strength. With the help of digital technology, the sign has been given a better visualization. Freed from visual overload, it became more concise and easier to perceive, ensuring memorability and brand recognition. The circle represents integrity, and the elements outside it symbolize development and cooperation. The blue background in the corporate identity inherently reflects honesty and fidelity to the stated principles.
Saab
Founded in 1937, Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget originally produced bombers and fighters for military use. The most famous brainchild is the Viggen 37 single-seat airplane. In 1949, automobile production began, prompting a change to the company’s acronym to Svenska Automobil Aktiebolaget.
With the advent of Stockholm Design Lab AB, the company received a new brand identity and visual representation. Following the separation of SAAB and Scania, it was decided to borrow the red griffin head framed by a gold crown with three tips. This was a tribute to the former union of the companies. At the same time, the element combines the regal qualities of beasts and birds, hinting at the available power and vigilant attention to detail. Below the silver color is the SAAB name, typed in Sequel 100 Black 95 font, with an original refinement that combines the letters into a single structure. The rings surrounding all the parts symbolize the company’s integrity and independence.
Noble
Since 1999, Noble Automotive Ltd, a British automaker based in Leeds, Yorkshire, has been supplying high-speed sports cars to the market. It gained notoriety with the M600 model, which boasts a top speed of 362 km/h. However, by 2012, the company was on the verge of bankruptcy, leading to the closure of its serial and custom production.
The brand symbol reproduces the first letter of the surname of the founder, chief designer, and company director, Lee Noble. The mirror arrangement of letters visually evokes a chess piece, such as a queen or a four-pointed crown, which speaks to the aristocracy and the superiority of the produced cars. Two crossed flags symbolize the concern’s sporty orientation and its focus on speed.
Pininfarina
The Italian company Pininfarina was founded in 1930. It specializes in the development of bodies and exterior styling of passenger cars. It gained fame through contracts with American companies. With the advent of the hybrid engine era, the company produced its first electric car, the Bellore.
The Pininfarina logo consists of the brand name in a square, italic font with lowercase letters. It effectively reflects the harmony of classic and innovation, conveying a sense of impeccable style and experience. The mark is presented in the form of a vertically arranged rectangle, in the center of which there is an accentuated bold letter “F” with a curved rim, which is the first letter of the founder’s surname. A red crown with an elegant pearl draws attention to the brand’s rich heritage. Thanks to digital technology, the brand has undergone minor graphic changes to improve clarity and quality. The color scheme reflects a loyal, high-quality approach to design.
Alfa Romeo
Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili is an Italian automobile company founded in 1910 that, in 1915, came under the ownership of Nicola Romeo and was renamed Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. At every stage of its development, it achieved brilliant results, competing in Formula 1 races. The technique gained its fame thanks to its innovative approach to design, internal filling, and advanced positions in the automotive industry.
In honor of its 110th anniversary, Alfa Romeo commissioned a redesign of its logo in partnership with the Robilant Association studio. Laconicity and digital technology made the new version more presentable. The color scheme retains the red cross, blue ring, and green snake. The font is Distancia ExtraBold, with serifs symbolically conveying the movement and speed inherent in this category of car. The dividing bar was removed, and a silver structure replaced the blue-and-white background. This made it possible to increase and decrease the number of turns of the crowned Biscione, uniting it with the cross of the Milan coat of arms, thereby showing homage to the country’s and nation’s history.