Setra Logo PNG
The Setra logo reflects the reverence with which the brand’s buses are perceived: they are so popular among professionals that they rank among the world’s top ten. The emblem has a unique design, shaped to resemble these comfortable buses.
Setra: Brand overview
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 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 birthed by Daimler Truck, has been transforming human transportation. The brand rapidly gained acclaim for its superior quality and reliability within the transport sector and continues to be a trailblazer in the field. Setra has epitomized superiority for many decades, continuously challenging engineering limitations and fostering innovation. As a proud offshoot of EvoBus GmbH, under the prestigious Daimler Truck AG umbrella, Setra takes pride in furthering its illustrious legacy.
Before 2010
At the beginning of its career, the German company Setra used a very concise logo so potential buyers would simply be aware of its presence in the professional bus transportation market. The main task at that time was popularization. Thanks to its unique visual identity (simple, two-dimensional) and innovative developments and high craftsmanship, it gradually gained recognition among the public. Its emblem consists of:
- The name;
- A personal mark.
The inscription is set in a rectangular font: massive glyphs are stretched horizontally and spaced at a minimum distance from each other. Thanks to good contrast and large intra-letter spaces, they do not merge, maintaining good readability on any medium.
The font is extra-bold, sans-serif, and in uppercase. Its distinctive features are clear edges, perfect evenness, and pleasant soft rounding of the corners, which demonstrate the comfort of the bus interiors. The most thematic letter is “A”: it resembles a bus, either in the front or rear view. 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 very symbolic, as it is associated with a wheel, a steering wheel, the globe that 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 is shaped like a bus when viewed from the side. It is long, wide at the back, and narrow at the front. However, these aren’t the only associations the emblem evokes: it also resembles a rearview mirror, highlighting the German manufacturer’s vigilance, increased attention, and desire to control everything related to bus production. This represents Setra as a responsible professional.
The horizontal trapezoid is enclosed in a double frame with two thin stripes, one white and one red. The same colors are used for the inscription and background. This combination symbolizes honesty, confidence, activity, and movement. Additionally, white signifies openness, while red signifies love for customers and those who ride the buses.
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 the characters has also changed; it has increased significantly, improving text readability.