Volvo Logo PNG
Brand cars for real men. The Volvo logo appeals to drivers, inviting them to get behind the wheel and experience the pleasure of quality and performance. According to the emblem, cars are the best choice for business and serious people.
Volvo: Brand overview
Volvo is a Swedish manufacturer of various transport equipment. It has several names: official – Aktiebolaget Volvo, abbreviated – AB Volvo, legal – Volvo Group, and trademark – VOLVO. There is also a division of Volvo Cars, which previously belonged to the same company. However, in 1999, it came under the control of Ford Motor Company, which was bought by the Chinese multinational giant Geely Holding Group in 2010. However, both structures still bear the same name. The founders of the engineering company are Assar Gabrielsson and Gustav Larson. Its location is the city of Gothenburg (Sweden).
The Volvo brand originated much earlier than the officially indicated year (1927th). It was registered in the spring of 1911 and was intended to manufacture ball bearings, which were produced under the direction of SKF. Even the translation of the name from Latin proves this: the word “volvere” means “I roll,” something round and spinning. However, this term fits perfectly into the concept of a restructured enterprise. Therefore, the management did not change it.
The process of moving towards car production began in 1924 when sales manager Assar Gabrielsson and engineer Gustav Larson (both from SKF) did not conceive Swedish cars’ development. Their priority was heavy-duty models—all-terrain vehicles that do not care about broken roads or severe frosts. However, the company itself considers 1927 to be the official date of its appearance because it was then that the first car rolled off the assembly line.
Meaning and History
The Volvo logo is one of the most famous in the automotive world because it looks like a male symbol. Designers specifically shaped it to show the brand’s brutality, charisma, and seriousness. This sign is also known as the “shield and spear of Mars” because it personifies the most warlike planet in the solar system. In alchemy, a circle with an arrow pointing to the upper right corner represents iron. High-strength metal associations are great for commercial and truck manufacturers.
As the Volvo emblem evolved, it changed, acquiring individual features. It became blue, white, and black and sometimes disappeared altogether, giving way to a lonely inscription. In 2021, the arrow retracted into a circle, which made the logo even more memorable despite the monochrome palette.
What is Volvo?
There are two Swedish Volvo companies: one produces trucks and commercial vehicles, and the other produces passenger cars. They used to be a single entity until 1999, when they split up. The first organization is called Volvokoncernen, but in the U.S., it is known as the Volvo Group. The second automaker goes by the name Volvo Personvagnar AB, and on the world market, it is known as Volvo Cars.
1927 – 1930
The debut emblem features the company’s name in printed characters with serifs. The top row (center) reads “Volvo.” The letters in it are either completely merged or in close contact with the edges. The bottom phrase is “Gothenburg, Sweden.” It is located on a long ribbon and is framed in thin print. The text is in a cobalt oval with a golden border.
1930 – 2021
The Volvo wordmark looks impressive thanks to the large rectangular serifs and contrastingly thickened parts of the letters. The lettering font resembles a cross between Newsprint JNL Wide Regular and Decal JNL Regular by Jeff Levine Fonts. All glyphs are in upper case to make the brand name visible on cars.
1930 – 1959
In 1930, a dynamic logo appeared: a circle, a longitudinal line, and an arrow pointing up and to the right. The word “Volvo” is featured on a wide strip that runs through the ring in the center and has three thin lines on the left.
1959 – 1970
This logo is based on a white circle divided into two parts by a horizontal stripe of light blue. The center line contains the white word “VOLVO” and connects the blue ring’s two sides that serve as a frame. In the upper right corner is a traditional arrow made up of a square and a triangle.
1959 – 1970 (wordmark)
Throughout the 1960s, wordmarks were used with an unusual Volvo font. The designers removed all the serifs and aligned the letters but kept the contrast between the major and minor strokes. This typeface is roughly similar to Jeff Levine’s Song Stylist JNL Regular. The logo’s light blue color evokes a feeling of softness and airiness.
1970 – 1999
The graphic is taken from the 1930 logo and looks like an empty circle with an arrow outlined on both sides by thin lines. The company’s name is in the center on a separate oval plate.
1970 – 2020 (wordmark)
The text emblem contains only one word – “Volvo.” The letters are in uppercase. They are clear, even, with large serifs. The main color is dark blue (cobalt).
1999 – 2013
The new emblem stylizes the previous version. The designers made it voluminous, metalized, and convex edges. Shadows, highlights, and gradients support the 3D effect. In the middle, on a blue oblong background, is white lettering “Volvo.”
2013 – 2014
In this version, the developers focused on the texture. Instead of a graphite color, there is now a silver chrome, so the circle looks like part of a rim or other part of the car. This logo has many light highlights and specular highlights. A dark gray border appears around the text panel.
2014 – 2021
The designers made the arrow more curly and narrowed the round band that formed a ring. They deepened the plate with the inscription, placing it between the right and left sides of the circle. The color in this version is unified – it has become much simpler, without gradients and mirrored surfaces. A slight dark shadow is present only on the inner top of the ring. Everything else is light gray except for the background for the word “Volvo.”
2020 – today (wordmark)
Since 2020, a text symbol has been used in parallel with the graphic symbol. It consists only of the engineering company’s name in black capital letters spaced far apart.
The evolution of the Volvo personal badge has mainly been due to changes in textures and colors. The basic elements have remained the same: a ring with an arrow pointing to the right and the company name on the horizontal bar. All details have survived to this day.
2021 – today
The evolution of the Volvo logo has led to the fact that the “shield and spear of Mars” is now difficult to recognize. Suddenly, there was an empty gap in the round frame, which was always intact. And the arrow, which merged with the ring, was separated from it. Now, it is recessed down – exactly where the hole is located. Inside the central white circle, the name of the car brand is traditionally written, but the letters do not have the usual quadrangular base. The word and geometric elements are painted black, not the most saturated shade.
Volvo: Interesting Facts
Volvo, a Swedish car company, is famous for its focus on safety, quality, and environmental stewardship. Founded in 1927, it now sells many types of cars worldwide.
- Safety First: In 1959, a Volvo engineer invented our three-point seatbelt. Volvo shared this life-saving invention with other car companies for free.
- Green Innovations: Since 1976, Volvo has worked to lessen the environmental harm of its cars. For example, they created a system that reduces harmful emissions, which all car makers now use.
- Hybrid Pioneer: Volvo was the first to mass-produce a diesel hybrid car in 2012. To help the planet, Volvo is working towards electrifying all its cars by 2040.
- Adventure and Durability: Volvo sponsors the Volvo Ocean Race, a tough sailing competition. It shows their love for adventure and making cars that last.
- Long-lasting Cars: A Volvo P1800 holds the record for the most miles driven by a single owner, over 3 million miles!
- Strong Symbol: Volvo’s logo, a circle with an arrow, represents strength and safety. It comes from the ancient symbol for iron.
- Self-driving Leaders: Volvo is leading the way in making cars that can drive themselves. They’ve tested these cars in real-life situations.
- Eco-friendly Future: In 2019, all new Volvos are hybrids or electric. They want to lead the car industry to a greener future.
- City Safety: Volvo was the first to develop technology that automatically stops cars to prevent accidents in the city.
- Growing Under New Ownership: Volvo was sold to Ford in 1999 and then to Geely, a Chinese car group, in 2010. Under new management, Volvo has grown and focused on being green and innovative.
Volvo’s commitment to safety, the environment, and forward-thinking technology has made it a leader in the car industry, aiming for a safer and cleaner world.
Font and Colors
The logo uses the Clarendon Text Bold Font, an elegant serif typeface designed by Robert Besley and released in 1845 by Thorowgood and Co. Of the modern options, Besley and Clarendon Bold from Hermann Eidenbenz are close to it.
The color palette is scarce because the company adheres to its proprietary range, which includes gray in many shades—from dark graphite to mirror chrome. The cobalt blue spectrum is also used. Early versions of the logo featured gold and red.
FAQ
What is the arrow for on the Volvo logo?
The arrow in the Volvo logo, pointing northeast, originates from the ancient symbol for iron. This symbol, used since Roman times, signifies strength and longevity. The choice of this symbol reflects the brand’s Swedish heritage and the country’s history in the steel industry.
The logo’s blue color represents reliability and trust. Chrome accents add modernity and sophistication. The logo merges historical symbolism with contemporary design.
What is the new Volvo logo?
The new logo is a modern take on the original design. It features an all-black flat design, different from the old 3D look. The logo retains the same round shape and upward arrow as the brand’s.
This redesign aims to keep the brand’s visual identity simple and modern. Flat design is versatile and works well in digital and print formats. The all-black color scheme gives the model an elegant and modern look. The circle with the arrow pointing up remains a powerful symbol. It comes from the ancient symbol of iron, representing strength and durability. The brand remains committed to these values as the logo evolves.
What is the origin of Volvo?
Volvo is a Swedish company founded in Gothenburg by Assar Gabrielsson and Gustav Larson. The brand aims to create safe and luxurious cars.
The first car produced was the ÖV4, nicknamed Jacob. This convertible with a four-cylinder engine was designed to cope with the harsh Swedish climate and roads.
From the beginning, the brand has prioritized safety, leading to many innovations in automotive safety. The Swedish roots and vision of the founders continue to shape the cars.
What does the Volvo logo mean?
The current Volvo logo features the brand name in black on a white background. The name “Volvo” comes from the Latin word “volvo,” which means “to roll” or “to turn.” This reflects the brand’s focus on movement and mobility.
The brand uses its iconic symbol, a ring with an upward arrow. This symbol represents iron and is associated with the Roman god Mars. The iron symbol signifies strength and durability, key qualities of the brand. The logo combines the brand name and the iron symbol, reflecting its heritage and values. The black and white design adds a modern touch, while the ancient symbol ties the brand to its historical roots in the iron and steel industry.
Why did Volvo change their logo?
The company introduced a new minimalist text sign to make it easier to reproduce and more versatile. This new design appears in promotional materials, on wheel hubs, and in the center of the steering wheel.
The brand still uses its traditional logo with a circle and an upward arrow, maintaining a connection to its heritage. Using both logos helps the brand retain its history while giving it a modern look. The minimalist design is easy to replicate across platforms and products and aligns with modern trends that favor simplicity and clarity. This ensures the brand’s visual identity remains consistent and recognizable across all media. The brand updated its logo for better reproduction and versatility.
What’s the symbol for a Volvo?
The symbol is a ring with an arrow pointing up. This symbol has historical roots and represents the planet Mars and the Roman god of war, Mars. It is an ancient iron symbol, highlighting the brand’s focus on strength and durability.
This iconic symbol has been part of the brand’s identity from the very beginning. The iron symbol demonstrates the brand’s commitment to creating durable and reliable cars. An arrow pointing up indicates forward movement and progress.
