The automobile has long ceased to be an object available only to wealthy motorists. Today, it is an important mode of transportation for many people, enabling rapid, comfortable travel and the transport of cargo, including heavy bags and suitcases, with minimal effort. However, this does not cancel the opportunity to learn more about such a technical means, which is irrelevant.
What brands of cars begin with the letter V?
The letter V, as the first letter of the car brand’s name, appears in the names of many automakers worldwide, both those that existed at the origins of the world car industry and those that remain part of its history today. There’s Volkswagen and Volvo, Venturi and Vector. And many others, a brief history of which you can learn by visiting the page with the list of brands beginning with the letter V.
This is especially true when the question concerns choosing your future “iron horse” or when you have a hobby of collecting. However, information about stamps is interesting not only for personal interest. Market research is important when developing an appropriate strategy for a newly established or existing enterprise. In addition, the history of the automobile industry is important for understanding human history, forecasting the future, and broadening one’s horizons.
Having accurate, detailed information helps avoid mistakes, save money, ensure successful business promotion, and more. After all, thanks to modern technology, new models with improved features are introduced far more frequently than they were even half a century ago. The large number of brands created worldwide over the past 150 years, since the first self-driving design, also creates challenges in processing highly disordered information about them. Achieving desired results and making useful comparisons while saving time spent searching for the right information is important for anyone. This is facilitated by a resource that organizes such information, alphabetizes it by brand name, and makes it searchable. With its help, you can quickly find the manufacturer of interest in the letter “V,” get the right answers to important questions, and make a comparison.
Valmet Automotive
Valmet Automotive Group is the largest Finnish contract manufacturer of automobiles. It was formed in 1968 in Uusikaupunki, Finland. An important area of business is the development of environmentally friendly propulsion technologies, including electric vehicles. Among the activities are the development and production of modular battery systems. The company has plants in Germany and Poland. In addition to cooperating with Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Saab, Opel, and Fisker to produce components, it has been producing electric vehicles since 2009. In 2021, the production of solar-powered electric cars will be announced.
Vandenbrink Design
Vandenbrink Design, founded in 2006 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, by Michel van den Brink and Robert Koemans, is a company engaged in the engineering, design, and assembly of specialty automotive bodies. The company initially collaborated with the Italian brand Ferrari, where Vandenbrink’s products were highly praised. In 2009, the company began developing a carbon-fiber tourist bus, Fra Mauro, based on the Spyker C8 Spyder chassis. The company is developing its Vandenbrink GTO model based on the Italian manufacturer’s early models, the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO and the 599 GTB Fiorano.
Vauxhall Motors
The British automobile company Vauxhall Motors, a subsidiary of Stellantis since 2021, was founded in 1857 by Alexander Wilson. The company was named after its location on the banks of the Thames. The company manufactured marine engines. In 1903, the company changed its name to the Vauxhall Iron Works Company and began manufacturing cars, relocating to Luton. In the 50s, a contract was signed with Opel and Holden. In 2017, the company was bought by France’s Groupe PSA. The main products are passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.
Vector Motors
American automobile manufacturer Vector Motors Corporation, based in Wilmington, California, traces its roots to Gerald Wiegert’s Vehicle Design Force and Vector Aeromotive, both founded in 1971. They produced their first automobile in 1989 and completed production in 1993. After the conversion to Vector Motors Corporation, the development of sports cars began. The brand became the first American manufacturer to compete with European brands such as Ferrari and Lamborghini. More than 50 models were developed during the first 10 years. Following the founder’s death in 2021, the company’s future was called into question.
Veilside
The Japanese company Veilside Co., Ltd. was founded by Masao Ono, the owner of a car-tuning company, former race-car driver Chris Kraft, and Vernon Fotheringham. The company is best known for its Vemac RD320R hybrid race car, developed in 2002 and raced in Japan’s Super GT GT300 class for 10 years, until 2012. The car participated in more than 150 races. The brand is a major developer of concept cars for the country’s leading automakers.
Vencer
Dutch entrepreneur Robert Cobben founded Vence, an automotive company, in 2010 in Vriesenwijn, the Netherlands. The company produces expensive, high-performance sports cars. The brand’s first car and the founder of the sports car line was the Vencer Sarthe, whose prototype was presented in 2013 at the Top Marques Motor Show in Monaco by its owner, Prince Albert II of Monaco. This model was sold through a dealership based in China. The 2015 model was hand-assembled and is among the most expensive models sold in Europe.
Veritas
The German brand Veritas was founded in 1947 in Grafschaft by BMW Motorsport head Ernst Loof, test driver Cork Meyer, and road racer Lorenz Dietrich. He distinguished himself by using particularly lightweight bodies on racing models. In 1949, the Saturn coupe, Scorpion roadster, Comet Sportwagen rally car, and Comet S Rennsportwagen, based on the BMW 328 chassis, were shown at the Paris Motor Show. This year, a dealer agreement was signed with Panhard, and assembly of the Dyna Veritas ultra-lightweight sports car began. In 1951, a four-door Saturn coupe was produced. In 1953, the company closed. The brand was revived in the 1990s, and the Veritas RS III was released in 2001.
Victress Manufacturing Company
The American Victress Manufacturing Company was founded in California in 1952. The brand’s first model was the S1A, designed a year earlier by Hugh Jorgensen and William “Doc” Boyce-Smith. The models produced were based on Ford or Mameco Corp. chassis. In 1954, a merger with the Merrill Powell Company took place. Several C2 and C3 models were produced. The C2 coupe became the basis for the GM Q-Corvette, XP700, the 1961 Corvette, and the 1963 Corvette Stingray. In 1959, a Pioneer model with a fiberglass body was introduced. In 1961, the company was acquired by LaDawri.
Virago Cars Limited
Founded in 2004, VR Automotive Limited, run by Andrew Knowson and David Musgrave Morris, was renamed Virago Cars Limited the following year. The company was based in Solihull, West Midlands. In 2008, the headquarters moved to Coventry. Automobile production was conducted from 2005 to 2010. The brand gained fame with the Virago Coupé, launched in 2008. Since 2011, the brand has been defunct and renamed Nacouz Services Limited. The brand name is also closed.
VLF Automotive
VLF Automotive is an American automaker that was renamed VL Automotive in 2016. The predecessor was founded in 2012 by Bob Lutz and Gilbert Villarreal. After designer and entrepreneur Henrik Fisker joined the team, the company expanded its capabilities and, in 2016, adopted its current name, formed from the first letters of the founders’ surnames. In 2013, the first model in its predecessor line, the Destino, was introduced. In 2016, the Force 1 VLF sports car was launched. In 2018, the Rocket V8 model was developed in collaboration with Galpin Auto Sports.
Voisin
Voisin, a French company that produced the Lux Avions cars, was founded in 1905 by Gabriel Voisin in Issy-les-Moulineaux, France. Production of cars began in 1919 after the First World War, using Knight-type bushing-valve engines. The brand’s main distinguishing feature was its extensive use of light alloys, which reduced weight and improved performance. The Voisin Laboratoire Grand Prix car of 1923, with a “monocoque” chassis and a fan in the cooling system, made the brand famous. The most famous are the Voisin C5 of 1924, the C25 Aérodyne of 1934, the C26 and C27 Aérosport Coupé. The brand was closed in 1946.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen, a German automobile brand of global importance, was founded in May 1937. Today, it is a brand within the Volkswagen AG Group, which sold more than 6.2 million vehicles in 2019 alone. The headquarters of the modern brand is located in Wolfsburg (Germany). The brand’s history dates back to 1933, when Adolf Hitler, Jakob Werlin (Daimler-Benz), and Ferdinand Porsche met at the Hotel Kaiserhof. Hitler sketched the requirements for the new car on paper: durability, reliability, affordability, assembly at a new German factory, and public accessibility. The latter became the name Volkswagen. The first was a prototype based on the Porsche Typ 60.
Volvo
The Swedish brand Volvo Cars, known domestically as Volvo Car Corporation or Volvo Personvagnar AB, was founded in 1927 in Gothenburg. The trademark was officially registered in 1915 for the sale of a line of bearings in the American market. However, it was not used until 1927, when it was first applied to the Volvo ÖV4 automobile, developed under SKF’s auspices. In 1935, the brand became independent. In 1944, the Volvo PV444 model was developed. Since 2010, the company has been owned by Geely Automobile.
Vortex
A car manufacturer based in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, Britannia Vortex Automotive Limited was formed from Phantom Automotive Limited. The latter was founded in 1997 by Adrian Greville Smith, David Abel, Graham Winston Astbury, and Norman Morris. In 2008, the brand, formerly known as Virago Cars, was renamed again. Under the new name Vortex Automotive Limited, cars produced since 2010 include the Vortex F1, Vortex V 2, Vortex BT 1200, and others. The brand relocated to Kenilworth, Warwickshire.
VŪHL
VŪHL, a Mexican-American joint venture founded in 2010 in Querétaro by brothers Iker and Guillermo Echeverria, based on the Etxe automotive design agency, became known for developing the ultra-light supercar VŪHL 05. The model was first presented at the Festival of Speed in Goodwood in 2013. The brand’s name translates as VEHICLES OF ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT AND HIGH PERFORMANCE. The company was founded by a founding father who spent 30 years building race cars.
VinFast
A young representative of the Vietnamese car industry is VinFast, founded in 2017 by Pham Nhat Vuong in Hanoi with production in Hai Phong, Vietnam. In 2018, the brand unveiled its prototypes at the Paris Motor Show and launched mass production in early 2019. Its models include the Vinfast Lux A2.0 sedan, based on the BMW 5 Series F10, and the Vinfast Lux SA2.0 crossover, based on the BMW X5 (F15). The company has bought the license from General Motors and is selling the Vinfast Fadil five-door mini-hatchback in the domestic market.
Venturi
French automobile designer and manufacturer Venturi Automobiles was founded by Claude Poiret and Gérard Godefroy in 1984. The company’s headquarters is in Fontvieille (Monaco). The production facility manufactures high-end electric cars. In 2000, the company went bankrupt. Among the brand’s products are several coupe and Transcup model lines: Atlantique 300, 300 GTR, MVS Venturi, Venturi Atlantique, and Venturi 400 GT. In 2001, the brand was acquired by Guild Pallanca Pastor, which reoriented production toward electric motors, resulting in the Venturi Fétish.
Vale Motor
In 1931, the Vale Motor Company was founded as a hobby in the London borough of Maida Vale. Its creator, Pownall Pellew, began assembling his Vale Special automobile. The endeavor was financed by Pellew and two partners, Allan Gaspar and Robert Owen Wilcoxon, brother of the famous movie actor Henry Wilcoxon. In the early days, the cars were assembled by hand. Most cars were produced in a lightweight version with an open two-seat body. In 1933, a new Vale “Vixen” model was introduced. The brand created between 60 and 80 models until its closure in 1935.
Van Hool
Van Hool is a Dutch automotive manufacturer founded in 1947 in Koningshooikt, Lier, Belgium. Its primary activity is the production of semi-trailers, buses, and trolleybuses. In its founding year, bus body production began. The next milestone was the cooperation with Fiat VC in 1957. The expansion of production and the introduction of new capacities prompted the construction of a factory in 1964. In 1971, the brand created a subsidiary, Van Hool España, S.A., in Zaragoza, which was sold in 1983. Today, the brand produces up to 1,500 complete buses per year.
Vanden Plas
Vanden Plas is a brand with a rich history. It was founded in 1870 in Brussels, Belgium, by Guillaume van den Plas as a manufacturer of wheels, bridges, and luxury carriages. In 1898, the first car bodies were produced. In 1912, the company was acquired by Theo Mazuy, who moved production to England and founded Vanden Plas Ltd. During World Wars I and II, as part of the Aircraft Manufacturing Co., the brand produced aircraft, including the De Havilland DH 98 Mosquito, and provided spare parts. In 1949, the Belgian bodyshop’s history came to an end. Since 1959, the British brand has been producing cars. In 1991, the brand was liquidated.
VDL Nedcar
The large Dutch car manufacturer VDL Nedcar was founded in 1967 in Born (Netherlands) by the van Doorn brothers. After acquiring a controlling stake in 1975, Volvo renamed the brand Volvo Car B.V. and became its full owner by 1976. Following joint operations with the state, Volvo, and Mitsubishi after the 1990s crisis, the brand was renamed Netherlands Car B.V. in 1996. The company assembled models for the German brands DAF and Volvo.
Velie
The American brand Velie Motor Vehicle Company was founded in 1908 in Moline, Illinois. Velie Motors Corporation was founded on the body shop of the Velie Carriage Company, established in 1902. The first model was an assembly of various components. In 1910, 1,000 cars were sold. In 1911, the company produced trucks. This year saw the introduction of the four-seat Velie 40. In 1914, the Continental was introduced with an electric starter and dual ignition; in 1920, the Model 34 Universal was released. The founder’s death in 1928 led to the company’s closing.
Vermorel
French automobile manufacturer Vermorel traces its history to 1850, when Antoine Vermorel founded a family company to produce agricultural machinery. The brand assembled its first car in 1899. However, full-scale car production began in 1908. In the post-war period, the brand introduced a design characterized by innovative equipment, Vermorel “Type X.” The company produced various engineering products. After changing several owners, the brand closed in 1965.
Vinaxuki
Vinaxuki, a Vietnamese company producing mini-trucks and cars, was founded in 2004 in Hanoi (Vietnam). It produced its products under its brand and some Chinese brands. Until its closure in 2015, it produced 38 truck models, including 3450T, 5500TL, 8500TL, 2500BA, 3000BA, 4500BA, 5000BA, 7000BA; two semi-truck models; and touring vehicles, including the Vinaxuki Pickup 650X and the Songhuajiang HFJ6376 minivan. It also has two bus models at its base.
Vaillante
Vaillante is not an actual car brand but a fictional world created by Jean Graton in the famous French comics about racing driver Michel Vaillant. The imagined brand became a symbol of motorsport and the romance of speed. In the stories, Vaillante is portrayed as a high-tech company that designs its own racing cars and manages a team competing in the most prestigious events. Among them are the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Formula 1 championships. Through this image, the author expressed ideas of progress, passion for racing, and strong family ties.
The Vaillante logo features a circular design divided into three color sections: blue, white, and red. Their combination forms a white V, a large white wedge that stands out against the surrounding colors.
Vegantune Evante
Vegantune Evante appeared in the 1980s and marked a new stage in Vegantune’s history, which had previously been known for modifying and tuning Lotus cars. The Evante project was conceived to build an original car that preserves the spirit of classic British sports cars while applying contemporary engineering solutions. The Lotus Elan was selected as the base, but the design was not copied. Engineers reworked and adapted it to meet new technical requirements.
The Evante logo is designed in a restrained style. At its center is the word EVANTE, enclosed within a horizontal oval with a thick black outline. The letters are large and bold, slightly stretched horizontally. The typography evokes the aesthetics of the 1960s and 1970s, resembling Compacta Bold or ITC Machine.
Vemac
The Vemac automobile brand emerged in the 1990s as a collaboration between Japanese engineers and British specialists. Drawing on the experience of two schools, the team aimed to develop lightweight, agile sports cars. The British tradition of chassis tuning was combined with the Japanese approach to quality and precision. The main goal was to produce cars equally suitable for everyday roads and race tracks. The brand gained recognition through its RD-series models, notably the Vemac RD180, RD200, and RD320R.
The Vemac logo is built around triangular shapes. Its base is an inverted black triangle with softly rounded corners. Inside it are three smaller triangles separated by white lines. They are colored green, blue, and red, together forming another black triangle at the center. At the top of the emblem, the word VEMAC appears in a light, sans-serif outline reminiscent of futuristic graphics and late-20th-century neon signage.
Vernon-Derby
The French car brand Vernon Derby appeared in the late 1920s as a collaboration between the British company Derby and the French firm Vernon. In the United Kingdom, Derby was already known for compact and lightweight cars designed for city driving and short trips. Over time, it became clear that expansion into the European market required new production capacity and a different approach. This led to the partnership in France, where the alliance with Vernon was established. After production moved, Derby cars gained not only a new country but also a new direction. Under the name Vernon Derby, the vehicles were adapted to European tastes, emphasizing small yet elegant cars for buyers who valued refined style, comfort, and a balance between British elegance and French engineering.
The Vernon Derby logo featured the word ‘Derby’ in black. An elegant flourish distinguished the first letter D. The remaining letters were drawn smoothly and slightly slanted, forming a continuous line. The final letter y had an extended lower stroke that descended diagonally, visually tying the composition into a cohesive, graceful mark.
Vespa
The Italian brand Vespa, developed by Piaggio after World War II, became a symbol of Europe’s return to everyday life. The first scooters were designed as simple, affordable transportation for a wide range of people – students, workers, and office employees. Over time, Vespa moved beyond its utilitarian roots to become a cultural icon. The brand came to represent fashion, freedom, and the comfort of city mobility. The name Vespa, meaning “wasp” in Italian, perfectly fits the scooter’s appearance, with its narrow central section and wider rear section resembling the insect’s shape.
The Vespa logo features a wordmark drawn with a single continuous line, conveying a sense of smooth motion and lightness. The letters slant upward to the right, appearing lively and natural. The style is unique, not linked to any specific typeface, as though each letter were drawn by hand. Soft curves, subtle thickening, and rounded forms evoke calligraphy and emphasize the Italian brand’s elegance.
Victoria
The history of the German brand Victoria began in Nuremberg in the late 19th century, with the production of bicycles that earned a reputation for reliability and quality. Over time, the company expanded into motorcycles, scooters, and compact cars. In the first half of the 20th century, Victoria collaborated with well-known engine manufacturers, including Fafnir, JAP, and BMW. The brand’s vehicles were known for good performance and advanced engineering for their time.
The Victoria logo combines two words rendered in contrasting styles. The left part contains the word “Crown” in a solid, square typeface with straight, heavy letters, giving a restrained retro look. The right part is entirely different. The word Victoria is written in an elegant italic script with a slight slant, conveying the feel of handwritten calligraphy. Emphasis is placed on the first letter V, whose extended decorative stroke transforms into a horizontal chrome-like line running above the word Crown. The remaining letters gently follow this line, forming a unified and flowing composition.
Victory
The American brand Victory entered the motorcycle market in the late 1990s as a project by Polaris Industries, a company known for producing various motorized vehicles. The goal was ambitious: to develop a modern, technologically advanced alternative to Harley-Davidson while preserving the spirit of American motorcycles. The manufacturer focused not only on power and appearance but also on high reliability and build quality. From its earliest models, Victory positioned itself as a brand of heavy cruisers designed for long-distance travel and comfortable riding on American highways. Over time, the brand became a full-fledged competitor in the premium cruiser and touring motorcycle segment.
The Victory emblem is centered on a large, stylized letter V, with a multilayered outline. The outer edge has a silver metallic finish, and the inside features a deep red background with smooth color transitions. A wide metallic band runs through the center of the symbol, bearing the large inscription VICTORY. The lettering uses a bold sans-serif typeface. Beneath the main word is the smaller word MOTORCYCLES, written in a thin light font on a black background and stretched evenly across the width of the composition. In the lower portion of the red area, the word “USA” appears, underscoring the brand’s American origin and its connection to national motorcycle culture.
Vignale
The Italian brand Vignale was founded in Turin in the late 1940s by Alfredo Vignale. He founded a coachbuilding workshop specializing in custom-designed cars. In postwar Italy, such projects became highly sought after, and Vignale’s name soon came to be associated with exceptional craftsmanship and refined taste. The workshop collaborated with the leading automakers of the time, including Ferrari, Maserati, Lancia, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo. For these brands, it created exclusive bodies that emphasized the car’s prestige and that of its owner.
The Vignale logo reflects the brand’s Italian origins. The main element is a vertical shield with a raised metallic frame. At the top is a golden crown with five rounded points. From it extend wide silver wings. Inside the shield is a stylized, ivory-colored letter V, outlined with a three-dimensional border and set against a dark blue background that matches its shape. At the center of the letter V is a schematic depiction of one of Turin’s landmarks, the Mole Antonelliana. It is rendered in a restrained monochrome gray palette with subtle shading, highlighting the brand’s connection to the city and its cultural heritage.
Vinci
The Portuguese car brand Vinci was established in 2007 by a group of engineers and entrepreneurs who wanted to prove that Portugal could develop its own supercar. The goal went beyond speed. The creators sought to build a technologically advanced vehicle to showcase the potential of Portuguese engineering on the international stage. The first result was the Vinci GT prototype, which combined elements of classic American muscle cars with modern technical solutions. The car’s design blended a retro spirit with futuristic lines. Familiar shapes from past sports cars were reinterpreted through contemporary bodywork.
The Vinci logo centers on the word VINCI, written in uppercase blue letters. The typeface is rigid, conveying a sense of engineering precision. To the right of the name is a bright red emblem composed of four separate shapes. Some elements have softly rounded corners that balance the overall severity of the composition. Visually, the mark resembles a mechanical component or connector, symbolizing precision and reliability.
Vivinus
The Vivinus automobile brand was founded in Brussels at the end of the 19th century by engineer Alexandre Vivinus. He was among the first in Europe to recognize the potential of automobiles and decided to develop this field. The company initially produced bicycles, which at the time remained the most common and convenient means of transportation. Over time, Vivinus’s interest shifted toward motorized vehicles. He began experimenting with installing engines on lightweight wheeled frames. The first Vivinus cars appeared in 1895 and were extremely simple. These were small four-wheeled vehicles with belt drives, single-cylinder engines, and a minimal set of technical solutions. The cars were primarily intended for city residents who wanted to switch from bicycles to a faster, more comfortable mode of transportation.
The company’s emblem was circular and featured the classic red, black, and gold colors. In the center was a bright red circle with a textured surface. On it was a gold-colored mark stylized as a car wheel. The image was formed by four letters, two V’s and two A’s, connected into a single structure and complemented by short lines resembling spokes. The central symbol was surrounded by a black border with gold inscriptions in a strict font. The upper part contained the words “Automobiles Vivinus,” Below it was the inscription “Société Anonyme.” Further down, the word “Bruxelles” appeared, emphasizing the brand’s origin. The upper sector also included the name “La Routière,” indicating the vehicles’ road and urban-use purpose.
Volga
The Volga automobile brand emerged in the mid-1950s at the Gorky Automobile Plant and became one of the Soviet era’s recognizable symbols. When developing the new model, GAZ engineers sought to create a more prestigious and comfortable car. It was intended to sit between the simple, mass-produced Moskvich and the more utilitarian Pobeda. As a result, the Volga gained a special status on Soviet roads. It was valued for its strong construction, spacious interior, and reliability. Government services, taxi fleets, and high-income private owners widely use the car. The first and most iconic model was the GAZ-21, notable for its smooth body lines, large chrome grille, and high ground clearance, which made it well-suited to Soviet road conditions.
The emblem of the early Volga models was a shield with a thick black border. Inside was the word “Volga,” written in a cursive script with smooth, horizontally elongated letters. The letters were connected into a continuous line with a slight rightward slant. Below the name was the image of a running deer, the symbol of the city of Gorky, where the cars were produced. The deer was shown in a simplified, concise silhouette with clear outlines, positioned diagonally with its front legs raised.
Vehículos Automotores Mexicanos
The company Vehículos Automotores Mexicanos, better known as VAM, began operations in the mid-1940s and became a significant part of Mexico’s automotive history. Initially, the enterprise served as a local assembly site for the American company Willys-Overland, producing jeeps and small trucks in demand during the postwar period. By the 1960s, the company decided to move forward independently and began manufacturing passenger cars under its own name. The licensed models of American Motors Corporation were taken as the basis. VAM engineers did not limit themselves to simple assembly. The Gremlin, Hornet, Javelin, and Pacer models were modified to suit Mexico’s climate and road conditions. The vehicles were reinforced, their suspensions were adapted, and they were generally made more durable to better handle local operating conditions.
The VAM logo features a shape with softly rounded corners. Inside, the negative space forms an arrow pointing to the right. It is not drawn directly; it appears between four triangular elements: two gray triangles on the left and two red ones on the right. Below the symbol is the inscription “VAM,” written in large red letters. The letters “V” and “A” mirror each other and lack the usual crossbars, while the letter “M” appears as a logical continuation of these forms.
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