Animalistic subjects regarding logo design often inspire car manufacturers. There’s nothing strange about this, as powerful animal imagery looks relevant and compelling. One of the most popular images used in auto logos is the lion.
If we talk in general about the universal meanings that it carries in itself, they are as follows:
- Courage. And car manufacturers need to broadcast that they are brave enough to keep up with the times and equip the produced cars with everything necessary for drivers’ comfort.
- Strength. In this context, it may be a strong position in the market and modern production facilities’ availability.
- Leadership. Any large automobile concern strives to be a niche leader and be respected by customers.
If we talk about the lion in the world culture, the image of this animal is associated with royal power, influence, and power.
Peugeot
Probably among the emblems of automobile brands with the image of a lion, this logo is the most recognizable. The producing company is located in France, and it tries to provide the cars with those advantages, which can be included in the phrase “European quality.” Initially, the Peugeot logo depicted a lion walking on the arrow. This had a wide range associated with speed, flexibility, and power.
For the first time, a lion appeared on the logo way back in 1847. Then the company was producing steel products. The image of a lion was used to convey the features of products, many of which were with sharp teeth.
The pose of the lion on the Peugeot logo speaks of the readiness to attack. At the same time, it stands very powerfully and firmly on its hind legs. On the one hand, it may symbolize the firm position on the market, and on the other hand, it may symbolize the readiness to accept the challenges of time and to produce qualitative cars for its clients.
Holden
The company was founded in 1858; therefore, its history is surprising. True, it is a pity that the brand recently ceased to exist. For some time, the company worked independently, then it was a part of General Motors, and now it is abolished.
The Australian company was named in honor of the founder – that was his last name. The first logo had a picture of a horse, as the company produced equipment for carts and horses. Even the entrance to the company building was adorned by a life-size statue of a handsome horse, which James Alexander Holden ordered to show the clients even more convincingly what his company did.
When the company reoriented its range over the years to producing car bodies, a lion appeared on its logo. The round Holden logo features a lion holding a wheel with its paw. It looks beautiful and symbolic. It’s a pity that such a giant of manufacture stopped its existence. However, a solid history and a powerful logo remind the car enthusiasts that there was such a brand.
Proton
The logo was used for the Proton Waja car in 2000. Interestingly, many are still debating whose head is depicted on this logo – a lion’s head or a tiger’s head. But in any case, it looks powerful and impressive. The animal’s head is depicted on a dark blue shield, and the company name is written entirely in capital letters at the top of the logo.
The roaring lion, which conveys the idea of the power of these cars, is appropriate in their positioning – not for nothing is the Proton logo used not only in the domestic market but also for export. The lion’s roar can be symbolically compared to the sound of a car rushing along the road.
The interesting stylization of the lion’s head also deserves special attention. It looks minimalistic but convincing.
If we touch the company’s history, it began producing its cars in 1985. But, despite such young “age,” this Malaysian manufacturer feels itself confidently on the market. Therefore, there are reasons to assume that it has a good future.
Roeve
The name of this brand has an interesting history. SAIC wanted to buy the Rover brand from BMW, but it failed because the buyer at that time was already Ford. There is a version that the name is formed by combining two Chinese words, which in translation mean “magnificent force.” It is worth noting that such a brand name is appropriate for a car. This is exactly the range of values that motorists appreciate in good cars. However, the naming here is not as simple as it seems at first.
Some experts believe that the name used the technique of transliteration of the word “Rover” – the brand’s name, which the company wanted to buy. But the company’s representatives deny it and claim that the German word Löwe, which is translated as “lion,” is the basis of the name at all. That’s how confusing it is.
The Roeve emblem uses black, red, and golden hues. The two lions that stand on the capital letter in the name hold a rod. An interesting vintage font has been used for the letter itself. It looks powerful and artistic.
MAN
This company makes buses and trucks. A subsidiary of Volkswagen AG owns it. The last company on this list also specializes in producing large vehicles for commercial use.
There is an interesting story with the logo, too. The lion got there from the logo of the company Büssing AG, acquired by MAN several decades ago (namely in 1971). The logo reminds us of the coat of arms of Braunschweig.
If you analyze the logo of MAN, the image of a lion has a lot to consider in detail. He stands firmly on straight front legs and slightly backward hind legs. The pose of the lion is calm, but its mouth is open. Here again, there is an association with the roar of a powerful car on the road. At the same time, the confident stance of the lion hints that the company is well-positioned in the market segment it has chosen.
Büssing AG
This company has already been discussed above. It is no coincidence that the lions on the logos of Büssing AG and MAN are so similar. The German manufacturer of trucks and buses has a long history. The company was founded in 1903. Its founder is Heinrich Büssing, and he founded his company in Braunschweig.
The company quickly gained a strong position in its niche, becoming one of the most influential manufacturers of trucks on the European market. Special success began in the 30s. And already after the acquisition of MAN, the lion adorns not only the logo of Büssing AG but also the logo of the subsidiary.
INKAS Armored Vehicle Manufacturing
The company specializes in armored vehicles. Its product range is very wide. These are both premium SUVs and special-purpose vehicles. Moreover, the company even produces armored vehicles.
Despite such a challenging niche and production scale, the company was founded relatively recently – in 1996.
The lion looks particularly appropriate on the INKAS logo. This helps to emphasize that the manufactured machines are really strong, safe, and resistant to all kinds of threats. Not for nothing on the brand’s emblem, the lion is depicted with wings and a sword. And the logo itself looks like a coat of arms, which makes it more solid. This visual composition looks impressive and is quite in line with the company’s industry.
Summarizing this selection, we can summarize the following: in each of the presented emblems, the lion is stylized in its way. Somewhere it looks like a superhero, like on the last logo; somewhere, it resembles a tiger, like on the Proton logo. But everywhere, the lion looks appropriate and unique, expressing the meanings embedded in the company’s visual identity.
