The Marquette logo exudes French charm and connects the viewer to the historical roots of American cities. Each line and symbol represents a blend of strength and nobility, and the shield design conveys an aristocratic spirit and luxury.
Marquette: Brand overview
Marquette, an American car brand, was established from 1904 to 1931 and founded under the Berwick Auto Car Company in Pennsylvania. The brand aimed to deliver affordable cars to the middle class. Early models, powered by single-cylinder and twin-cylinder engines, won buyers with their reliability and simplicity.
In 1909 General Motors (GM) acquired the brand, expanding its family of brands. Under GM, the brand introduced larger, more powerful vehicles with four-cylinder engines. Positioned as an economical choice next to Buick and Cadillac, the brand attracted practical, budget-conscious consumers.
The 1920s brought fierce competition and economic hurdles, worsened by the Great Depression. GM’s 1926 attempt to upscale the brand with larger, pricier cars didn’t resonate with buyers. Production halted in 1929 due to dwindling demand.
GM briefly revived the brand in 1930 with the Series 30, but poor sales led to its abandonment within a year. The brand was officially discontinued in 1931.
The brand’s journey, though brief, showcased a commitment to offering reliable and affordable vehicles to the middle class. Its history reflects the challenges and turbulence of America’s early automotive market.
Meaning and History
What is Marquette?
Marquette was an American automobile brand under General Motors, created to bridge the price gap between Buick and Oldsmobile. These mid-range vehicles gained a reputation for affordability and dependable performance, but the brand had a brief production run.
1904 – 1931
The company’s logo is designed in a heraldic style. The emblem features a shield divided into four sections. In a checkerboard pattern, the shield contains a silver fleur-de-lis on a blue background and red rectangles. A diagonal ribbon with the brand name in blue lettering crosses the shield.
The choice of the logo references the history of the city of Marquette, first discovered by French Jesuit Jacques Marquette for Europeans. Hence, the emblem includes a symbol of France. The French style is also evident in the lines’ elegance and the ribbon’s curves. The brand is connected to the city through the Berwick Auto company, which first named a car Marquette. When William Durant acquired the company locally, he retained the name. The company’s headquarters were in Saginaw, another city discovered by the French.
The emblem’s combination of shades forms three color palettes: French, English, and American. The USA assimilated the cultures of its settlers. The automotive brand belongs to an independent modern country that remembers all its pioneers.