Setra Logo PNG
The Setra logo reflects the reverence with which the brand’s buses are regarded: professionals rank them among the world’s top ten. The emblem has a unique design, shaped to resemble these comfortable buses.
Setra’s history began in 1951, when the German bus maker Kässbohrer introduced the S 8. The name came from “selbsttragend,” meaning self-supporting, and referred to the bus’s body structure. Kässbohrer had been founded in 1893 as a carriage manufacturer, but the S 8 marked a shift toward a new bus brand.
The S 8 became Europe’s first bus with a self-supporting body, reducing weight and improving road behavior. In 1955, Setra added the S 6, a compact model aimed at smaller operators and tour companies. The 100 Series followed in 1964, with buses of different lengths and for different uses, while the S 125 became common in intercity service. In 1967, the brand introduced air conditioning in its buses.
The 200 Series arrived in 1976 with added safety features, including ABS and improved aerodynamics. In 1981, the 300 Series introduced improved driver ergonomics and passive safety features. In 1991, Setra joined Daimler AG, giving the brand access to broader technical resources. The 300 TopClass appeared in 1992, followed by the 400 Series in 2001 with safer systems, more efficient engines, and cleaner aerodynamics.
The 500 Series debuted in 2013 and expanded in 2014 with TopClass and ComfortClass models, whose aerodynamics cut fuel use by 5-6%. The S 431 DT was updated in 2015, and the MultiClass 400 LE arrived in 2016 for urban and suburban routes. In 2017, the S 531 DT added Active Brake Assist 4, able to detect cyclists and pedestrians. By 2018, 5,000 Series 500 buses had been produced, followed by newer safety, digital, electric, and alternative-fuel work from 2019 to 2023.
Meaning and History
What is Setra?
Established in 1951, Setra, the eminent German bus brand born of Daimler Truck, has transformed human transportation. The brand quickly gained acclaim for its superior quality and reliability in the transport sector and remains a trailblazer. For decades, Setra has epitomized excellence, continually pushing engineering limits and driving innovation. As a proud offshoot of EvoBus GmbH under Daimler Truck AG, Setra upholds its illustrious legacy.
Before 2010
At the start of its career, the German company Setra used a concise logo so potential buyers could quickly recognize it in the professional bus transportation market. Its main task then was popularization. Thanks to its unique visual identity (simple, two-dimensional), innovative developments, and high craftsmanship, it gradually gained public recognition. Its emblem consists of:
- The name;
- A personal mark.
The inscription is set in a rectangular font: massive glyphs are stretched horizontally and spaced as far apart as possible. Thanks to strong contrast and generous intra-letter spacing, the letters don’t merge, keeping readability across media.
The font is extra-bold, sans-serif, and in uppercase. Its distinctive features include clean edges, perfect evenness, and pleasantly soft corner rounding, reflecting the comfort of bus interiors. The most thematic letter is “A”: it resembles the front or rear of a bus. The intra-letter space acts as a windshield, and the lower parts of the legs are perceived as wide wheels.
The company’s logo is round. This shape is symbolic, evoking a wheel, a steering wheel, the globe the Setra bus is ready to travel around, and the brand’s global popularity, as its products are recognized worldwide. Inside the ring is a single “K”, the first letter from the old name Kässbohrer. It is ornate, elegant, and old-fashioned.
2010 – today
The Setra logo resembles a bus when viewed from the side. It is long, wide at the back, and narrow at the front. However, the emblem evokes more than that: it also resembles a rearview mirror, highlighting the German manufacturer’s vigilance, attention to detail, and desire to control every aspect of bus production. This portrays Setra as a responsible, professional company.
The horizontal trapezoid is enclosed in a double frame with two thin stripes, one white and one red. The same colors appear in the inscription and background. This combination symbolizes honesty, confidence, activity, and movement. Additionally, white signifies openness, while red signifies love for customers and bus riders.
The name is written in a soft block font with rounded corners. The corners are now smaller than in the old logo, making the glyphs look more elegant. The spacing between characters has also increased significantly, improving text readability.