The Brazilian automotive industry is represented mainly by regional companies and sub-brands of international companies. Let’s take a closer look at their history and visual identification features.
Troller
The Brazilian company Troller was founded in 1995 in the city of Horizonte (state of Ceará). It specializes mainly in crossovers. Also, in the assortment lineup, some pickup trucks are known for their increased cross-country capability. From the company’s registration to the present day, its product line has included four car models in operation today.
The company logo is based on a red square with rounded corners. Inside it is the letter “T,” set in white font. At the same time, the letter itself is divided into two symmetrical parts, which are located vertically in a mirror position relative to each other.
All capital letters of red color are used for the verbal sign that conveys the full name of the company. The Latin font looks confident and convincing.
In general, the contrast between red and white gives the logo brightness and visual appeal.
Volkswagen Gol
The Brazilian car Volkswagen Gol, developed by Volkswagen specialists, has been produced since 1980. The uniqueness of this car lies in its being created specifically for the Brazilian and South American markets.
The car immediately became popular due to several of its advantages. First, it was compact and maneuverable. Secondly, the basic equipment satisfied users, as it was quite comfortable. As a badge, the same Volkswagen logo was used in the format used at the time. The recognizable concept, in which the letters “V” and “W” are positioned one above the other and enclosed in a round frame, evokes this car brand’s affiliation with the industry giant to which it belongs.
Agrale
The South Brazilian company Agrale has quite an impressive history since its entry into the market in 1962. Later on, the company expanded its product range, having initially focused on agricultural machinery. Simply put, these were tractors.
Later, the company’s model range was expanded to include trucks and buses. Even motorcycles appeared in the range.
At the heart of the company’s current logo is a red triangle. It is a well-stylized letter “A” that serves as a stylish visual element and, at the same time, convincingly evokes the company’s name. Despite the red dominating the logo, the empty spaces within the letter create the necessary balance and visually “lighten” the emblem.
Below the triangle is the company name, depicted in slanted black capital letters. Such font formats are quite common among car manufacturers, as they remind owners of the dynamics a good car can deliver.
Fabrica Nacional de Motores
Today, the company no longer exists, but the history of Fabrica Nacional de Motores was quite long and convincing. The company’s range was quite extensive, not limited to passenger cars. In addition to medium and compact cars, the range included many other things, even aircraft engines.
Until 1973, the company was owned by another large company, the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo. It was originally intended that these would be the cars produced.
Fabrica Nacional de Motores received its emblem from Alfa Romeo, so the similarity in the brands’ visual identities is not accidental.
The emblem is a blue circle within a wide red frame. On either side are thinner yellow frames. Inside, the company name is written in lowercase in a unique red font that runs horizontally across the emblem, merging with the red frame at two points. This element splits the green serpent into two parts, whose motifs are borrowed from the Alfa Romeo logo. It is in these motifs that the companies’ identities intersect. In general, the logos are similar.
The logo looks powerful; it visually appeals to tradition and is capacious in meaning. It’s a pity that the company itself didn’t last in the market to this day.
Marcopolo
The history of Marcopolo is quite solid; it was founded in 1949 in southern Brazil. The company still operates today and is the largest manufacturer of buses and trolleybuses in the country.
The company’s emblem immediately evokes optimism thanks to its effective design. The emblem is decorated with a floral ornament. Inside, there is an orange circle, and around its perimeter, there are black semicircles. And all this is also inside the round emblem.
Beneath this brightly colored circular element is a wordmark bearing the company name. Black italic font is used.
In general, the logo looks very expressive and recognizable. It means that visual identity specialists have achieved their goals.
Santa Matilde
In 1977-1978, Brazilian engineering company Santa Matilde produced the famous car of the same name. The developers did a good job, as the whole design and engine are unique. But the engine is borrowed from a Chevrolet automobile.
The brand’s emblem resembles an arrowhead, with a triangular shape and a curved base. Previously, the letters “S” and “M” were located inside it, using a special stylized font that made their tops bend upward, so that the capital letters of the brand name looked quite organic within the logo’s overall concept.
The combination of blue and gray colors in the emblem looks calm and confident. Thanks to this, the logo conveys stability and reliability, which are important for a company in this industry.
JPX
JPX is no longer in operation today. It existed on the market from 1992 to 2002. Despite the relatively short period of operation, the company produced a unique car model, the JPX Montez. The SUV is known for its several modifications. The world saw even the army version of such a car. Therefore, the company’s customers had many options to choose from, with cars that met their needs.
In this brand’s logo, as in the previous case, you can see a successful combination of gray and blue. The logo is an oval arranged horizontally. Inside it is an abbreviation of the company name, set in gray letters on a blue background. Even though a rather simple sans-serif font is chosen, the large letters look confident and convincing.
Lobini
Lobini was founded as an automobile company in 1999. Unfortunately, during its existence, the company failed to make a significant impact on its market segment. Nevertheless, the company is remembered for one car model. It was the H1 car, a powerful sports car assembled from parts from other brands.
This car was produced in small quantities. The car’s emblem looks quite pretentious. Inside the horizontally arranged oval, within a silver border with a gradient and a reflection, is the head of a grinning wolf. The color chosen for it is black, and the outline is silver. Below the wolf image is the company name. Black font is used for it. A unique element is the traces left by the tips of the letters, as if they were moving and then freezing in slow motion. It is about a racing car, so the logo is logical and justified. However, for other transportation, it could be evocative.
Neobus
Neobus automaker was registered in 1996. From the name alone, it is clear that the company’s main specialization is bus production. However, the company does not have large-scale developments, which does not prevent it from working effectively in its industry. Most of the automobile parts in the Neobus model range are sourced from other automobile brands, such as the world-famous Mercedes-Benz and the local Brazilian company Agrale.
In terms of its legal form, the company is not an independent enterprise, as it is owned by another company, the already mentioned Marcopolo.
Neobus does not have a separate emblem. Usually, the company name, written in capitalized blue elongated letters, is used as a word mark. Sometimes, the color is changed. An emblem can also be used, in which the company name’s capital letter is framed in an interesting shape. In general, the designers did not care too much about the logo.
Puma
Puma’s path in the market is very interesting. It was originally founded in 1963. However, in 2007, the company’s life changed, and it was moved to South Africa. Despite such a radical change in location, the company’s concept remained the same. The basis of its model range is small, high-performance cars. There are also light trucks, but this is not the company’s main product line.
The rectangular black emblem features a yellow puma head. From her, rays go in different directions. At the bottom, you can see the brand name written in a straight black font.
The way the puma is depicted deserves special attention. The screaming expression on the “face” conveys the company’s confidence and great ambition. Considering that it has already adapted to a new place, such a bid for good potential is justified.
Engesa
The company has been in its market segment for 30 years. Namely, Engesa worked from 1963 to 1993. The nomenclature of this company’s vehicles was extensive, but the company’s main emphasis was on military equipment. In general, the company’s product range was impressive, as it produced even tanks. The military inside the country used them, and such equipment was exported.
Inside the round emblem with a black outline are two large letters “E.” Their location is quite interesting as they merge. Below this part of the emblem is the company name. Black letters are also chosen for it. Even though the logo uses only black, it does not look primitive or simplistic. The successful visual trick of duplicating the capital letter makes this logo recognizable.
Chamonix NG Cars
Chamonix NG Cars was founded in 1981. The company is headquartered in São Paulo. The letters “NG” in the name stand for “new generation,” which reflects the company’s commitment to manufacturing innovation. The company’s founder is Milton Masteguin, formerly of Puma. His partner, in this case, was Chuck Beck.
The assortment was based on replicas of Porsche cars. Volkswagen technologies were used in their manufacture. In 1982, replicas of the Spyder 550 began to be produced. It was a chic car with an open body, which had quite a lot of adherents. 1985 was marked by the release of the Super 90 convertible, which copied a famous Porsche model.
The company’s logo is quite complex in both visual and semantic terms, as it comprises many elements. It is shaped as a shield with a silver outline. The space inside is divided into cells. It is distributed diagonally into two zones. One of them is silver, the other is gold. In five black cells on a silver background, golden elements are present. Distantly, this combination evokes associations with the canvas for naval combat. In the upper part of the logo, there is a black stripe bearing the company name.
The complexity and recognizability of the logo, in this case, work to the logo’s advantage, increasing brand recognition.
TAC-Technologia Automotive Catarinense
TAC-Technologia Automotiva Catarinense, an automotive corporation, was founded in Joinville in 2004. However, the factory started operating a little late because it had been under construction for four years. After that, the TAC Stark automobile was developed. This event was made possible through collaboration with Datasul from Portugal. In 2015, the plant was acquired by the Chinese company Zotye.
The emblem, in the form of a shield, is well-suited to the SUV’s brand. It depicts something that vaguely resembles a sword, with elongated parts of the hilt. And if you look closely, it is just a trident, with its sharp parts pointing downward.
You can see variants in which the emblem combines black and white. And on the car, the emblem has a metallic finish, which makes it look even more spectacular.
VLEGA Gaucho
This is the name of the vehicle developed through joint Argentine-Brazilian cooperation and designed for use by the armed forces. It is used for rapid cargo delivery and in special operations.
The vehicle can withstand a load of up to 600 kg. Operational success is facilitated by a powerful wheelbase and well-thought-out design. About 60 requirements were considered during the vehicle design phase to ensure the vehicle could fulfill its assigned tasks. And although this vehicle has no logo, that doesn’t make it any less recognizable.
Avibras Industria Aeroespacial
The Brazilian company Avibras Indústria Aeroespacial can hardly be called an automaker in the traditional sense. The company’s product portfolio is defense-oriented and ranges from specialized electronics to missiles.
The company is also known for its armored vehicles. For example, these are AV VBL 4×4 armored personnel carriers currently in use by the Malaysian army. At the same time, they are successfully exported. Another Brazilian armored personnel carrier is the Guara 4×4 model.
The company’s logo is quite understandable and predictable given its field of activity. Logically, a company in the defense industry uses recognizable symbols in its logo to indicate such affiliation. The upward-flying blue-and-white cartridge, divided into four sectors, is eye-catching and convincing.
Mascarello Carrocerias de Enibus
Brazilian company Mascarello Carrocerias de Ônibus manufactures buses. It is based in Cascavel, Paraná. It is part of a powerful group of agro-industries and has been successful in Brazil’s automotive industry. The company is large, producing thousands of buses.
On the company’s emblem, you can see a stylized letter “M” inside a horizontal blue oval. It is depicted using a metallic shade. Under it is a horizontal arc of the same color. And the blue background with a gradient looks very stylish. The edges of the letter repeat the contours of the oval, which creates a visual illusion of its volume. Such a logo is effective and stylish. It represents the company well and is memorable.