The Roewe logo expresses the brand’s ambitious goal of becoming a leader in the automotive industry. Traditional elements are presented in a modern style, showcasing the company’s perfect balance between innovative technology and time-tested classics.
Roewe: Brand overview
The Chinese auto giant SAIC Motor Corporation chose to launch a new luxury brand for the Chinese market in 2006, marking the beginning of Roewe’s existence. The insolvent British corporation MG Rover Group’s technologies and intellectual property were acquired by SAIC, laying the groundwork for the creation of Roewe.
The Chinese word “鍣威” (Róngwēi), which translates to “glory and prestige,” is the source of the English name “Roewe.” The choice of this moniker highlighted the new brand’s aspirations and ties to the illustrious history of British automobile engineering.
The Roewe 750 was the first vehicle released under the new brand; it was revealed in 2006. This executive vehicle has significant enhancements and alterations over its Rover 75 platform. The Roewe 750 was designed to demonstrate SAIC’s ability to produce high-end automobiles while competing with overseas premium brands in the Chinese market.
The 550 was added to the lineup in 2008. The incomplete Rover RDX60 project served as the basis for developing the Roewe W2 concept car, which served as the basis for this mid-size sedan. The 550, with its more contemporary style and technology, marked a significant turning point in the brand’s evolution.
2010 saw the introduction of the Roewe 350, a small car SAIC that had been developed entirely. This car showcased the company’s expanding technological prowess and its goal of producing unique vehicles rather than depending only on purchased technology.
The E1 was a new electric concept automobile, debuting in 2011. This action showed the brand’s commitment to creating eco-friendly technologies and keeping up with international automobile trends.
2012 was a big year for Roewe with the introduction of the 950, a premium sedan designed to rival vehicles like the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series. The Buick LaCrosse chassis was utilized in the development of the 950, which showcased SAIC’s expanding global collaboration with GM.
The brand made its crossover debut in 2014 with the RX5. This car swiftly rose to the brand’s bestseller list, satisfying China’s expanding SUV demand. Additionally, the RX5 was the first vehicle to have an internet connectivity system created and installed by Alibaba Group.
The mid-size i6 was introduced in 2016 and won praise for its cutting-edge technology and stylish appearance. A key step in modernizing the model selection and bolstering the brand’s position in the market was the i6.
The ERX5 was a new electric car unveiled in 2017. This was a crucial phase in the company’s plan to create eco-friendly vehicles and satisfy growing environmental requirements.
The release of the high-end electric crossover, the Marvel X, made 2018 noteworthy. This car illustrated the brand’s goals for the electric vehicle market and the company’s capacity to produce high-tech goods.
The company kept adding models to its inventory in the ensuing years, emphasizing electrification and the advancement of intelligent control systems in particular. Additionally, the brand started to enter foreign markets, mainly in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Meaning and History
What is Roewe?
It is a Chinese luxury automobile brand owned by SAIC Motor, one of China’s largest state-owned automakers. The brand was created after SAIC acquired the intellectual property rights from the defunct British automaker MG Rover. The cars of this brand combine modern styling, advanced technology, and premium features to meet the growing demand for passenger cars in the Chinese market. The company’s lineup includes sedans, SUVs, and electric vehicles, known for their spacious interiors, exquisite craftsmanship, and competitive pricing in the luxury segment.
2006 – 2018
The Roewe brand was created as an equivalent to Rover, which is why it has a similar logo featuring a gleaming heraldic shield. This shield has a trapezoidal shape with rounded corners, creating a sense of perfect balance. The smooth lines evoke feelings of safety and comfort, attracting enthusiasts of practical cars designed for everyday driving.
While most Roewe cars belong to the mid-range segment, the emblem’s symbolic elements give an impression of luxury and exclusivity.
- The capital letter “R” in a Gothic style highlights the brand’s historical heritage.
- A long sword piercing through the middle of the “R” exudes an aura of strength, protection, and confidence.
- Two heraldic lions holding the sword symbolize royal grandeur.
The shield is divided into four parts: two black and two red, arranged in a checkerboard pattern. Bright highlights, deep shadows, and a smooth gradient mimic the glossy texture of an enameled badge. The gold color of the internal elements evokes a sense of luxury.
The emblem is enclosed in a thin silver frame, which seems to shimmer in the light. This references modern materials used in automobile manufacturing. The inscription “ROEWE” looks completely different: it lacks highlights, shadows, or gradients. Its uniform black color conveys a sense of confidence and high professionalism. Its excessive strictness is balanced by the Copperplate Gothic font: elegant letters with long sharp serifs indicate the brand’s penchant for bold experiments.
2018 – today
Following the widespread trend towards minimalism, the car manufacturer has significantly simplified its logo while retaining recognizable elements:
- Trapezoidal shape
- Gothic letter “R.”
- Two heraldic lions
- Long-bladed sword
Each element holds a special meaning: the ancient font symbolizes resilience and durability, the sword reflects the brand’s authority, and the proud lions embody Roewe’s vast ambitions. The quadrilateral with rounded corners creates a sense of smooth movement, highlighting the cars’ perfect handling and maneuverability.
The new blue color is associated with innovation and high quality. It does not have other shades and pairs, only a white background, symbolizing the company’s stability and consistency.
The name Roewe is now written in two languages: English and Chinese. One reflects the brand’s international presence and appeal to foreign car enthusiasts, while the other conveys a national flavor and focuses on the domestic Chinese market.
The English inscription uses a geometric font in a futuristic style. Some letters have unusual gaps, creating a sense of lightness and unobstructed flow. This signifies the company’s openness to progressive technologies and commitment to further developing the electric vehicle industry. This unique style ensures that the English letters harmonize well with the adjacent Chinese characters.