Hispano-Suiza Logo PNG
Hispano-Suiza: Brand overview
Founded in 1904 by Marc Birkigt, Damian Mateu, and Francisco Seix in Barcelona, Hispano-Suiza was a pioneer in the automobile industry, especially in the production of luxury cars. The company was instrumental in introducing technologies that were advanced for their time, such as pioneering 4-wheel braking systems. To meet the growing demand, the company expanded its production facilities in France and Spain. After 1923, the company’s French division operated with a degree of independence.
The brand was not limited to passenger cars but, at various periods, diversified into aircraft engines, commercial trucks, and armaments. After World War II, in 1946, the Spanish headquarters transferred its automotive divisions to the Spanish automobile manufacturer Enasa, reorienting the French division towards aerospace. Eventually, in 1968, the French subsidiary was incorporated into the aerospace company Snecma, now known as Safran.
For many years, the Hispano-Suiza brand remained unclaimed, capturing imagination but not market share. It wasn’t until the 2010s that attempts were made to revive the brand, targeting the high-end electric car market. Although the current state of the company is a far cry from its heyday in the early 20th century, when it was recognized as the manufacturer of the most sophisticated and respected cars in Europe, the Hispano-Suiza name still evokes a sense of nostalgia and technical prowess.
Meaning and History
1904 – 1907
1907 – 1914
1914 – 1936
1917 – 1936
2010 – 2019
2019 – 2021
2021 – today
The unusually shaped gray wings are all that remains of the stork that was once part of the Hispano-Suiza logo. This bird symbolizes two aspects. The first is flight, as the company started developing aircraft engines in 1913. The second was speed, as the company also produced fast cars. The wings are divided by a circle made up of red and yellow segments. These colors correspond to the Spanish national flag. A white cross is also depicted inside the circle. At the very bottom is the company name written in a neat italic font.
The retention of wings in the current logo indicates the company’s long association with aviation and speed, confirming its historical roots. The use of red and yellow, symbolizing the Spanish national flag, highlights the brand’s cultural heritage. The inclusion of a white cross serves as an additional layer of symbolism that implies purity, tradition, and even a certain level of spiritual aspiration. The italicized font of the company name gives it an elegant feel, reflecting the high quality and elite status of the brand.
