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 the mythology and beliefs of peoples, they “equipped” various deities, endowing them with inhuman abilities, strength, and power. In the history of mankind, crowns have had different forms and were made of pure gold or silver and inlaid with precious stones. Native Americans, even before the first European colonists, used beautiful bird feathers as an element of jewelry. In the modern world, many brands use this mark in their logos as a symbol of power, strength, and superiority, emphasizing their advantages over others in their field of activity.
Why do automobile manufacturers choose a logo with a crown?
As part of the logo, the crown emblem does not demonstrate superiority but is an image element that confirms the prestige of its bearer. That is why most companies actively use it in their trademarks. In addition, many associate this symbol with titularity, which gives the organization a high status in the eyes of the client.
By adding the image of regalia, large corporations emphasize a high image formed over time. In addition, this element forms an understanding of what price category the product belongs to and what the level of its quality is. Despite the fact that the wreath is often found in logos, in each case, it 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 elegance with a unique design provides style and the ability to emphasize the owner’s character traits. The main object of sales is designed for the Japanese and selective Asian audience.
Toyota Crown has taken a leading position among the model ranges of the brand thanks to its unwavering reputation, which was won in the year of its first release – 1955. The interior design has undergone many changes, becoming a model of privilege. This is evidenced by the stylized image of the princely crown on the steering wheel and grille. Smooth lines and smooth curves suggest stability and nobility. The car reflects independence and refinement of thought, which is considered a central feature of aristocracy.
Scania
The Swedish company, founded in 1891 as a manufacturer of bicycle cars, began producing buses, trucks, commercial vehicles, and diesel engines for ships and industry in 1920. From 1968 to 1995, it was part of SAAB, and during this period, it became known for its heavy trucks.
The modern version of the 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 easy to perceive, ensuring memorability and brand recognition. The circle stands for integrity, and the elements outside it stand for 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, the production of automobiles began, which led to a change of acronym to Svenska Automobil Aktiebolaget.
With the advent of Stockholm Design Lab AB, the company received a new brand visualization. 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 combining the letters into a single structure. The rings surrounding all the parts symbolize the integrity and independence of the company.
Noble
Since 1999, Noble Automotive Ltd, a British automaker based in Leeds, Yorkshire, has been supplying high-speed sports cars to the market. It became known for the M600 model, which has a top speed of 362 km/h. However, by 2012, the company was on the verge of bankruptcy, which led to the closure of serial and custom production.
The brand symbol reproduces the first letter of the surname of the founder, chief designer, and director of the company, Lee Noble. The mirror arrangement of letters visually reminds a chess piece of a queen or a four-pointed crown, which speaks about the aristocracy and the superiority of the produced cars. Two crossed flags symbolize the sporty orientation of the concern, betting 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 became famous thanks to contracts with American companies. With the beginning of the era of hybrid engines, the company produced its first electric car, Bellore.
The company’s logo consists of the text name of the brand in a square italic font with lowercase letters. It effectively reflects the harmony of classic and innovation, which successfully conveys 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 and quality approach to design issues.
Alfa Romeo
Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili is an Italian automobile company founded in 1910, which in 1915 came under the ownership of Nicola Romeo and was renamed Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. At all stages of its development, it showed brilliant results, participating in races such as Formula 1. 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, the brand decided to redesign 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 in its arsenal. The font is Distancia Extra Bolt, with serifs symbolically conveying the movement and speed inherent in this category of car. The dividing bar was removed, and the blue and white background was replaced by a silver structure. 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, showing homage to the history of the country and the nation.
