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 is a Swedish manufacturer of various transport equipment. It has several names: the official Aktiebolaget Volvo, abbreviated AB Volvo; the legal Volvo Group; and the 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 SKF’s direction. 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) conceived the development of Swedish cars. Their priority was heavy-duty all-terrain vehicle models that are not bothered by broken roads or severe frost. However, the company considers 1927 the official date of its founding, as that was when 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 acquired distinct features. It became blue, white, and black, and sometimes disappeared altogether, leaving 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 Volvo companies in Sweden: one produces trucks and commercial vehicles, and the other produces passenger cars. They were 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 is Volvo Personvagnar AB, known on the world market as Volvo Cars.
1927 – 1930
The debut emblem features the company’s name in serifed print. 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 features a white circle divided into two parts by a horizontal light-blue stripe. The center line contains the white word “VOLVO” and connects the two sides of the blue ring, which serves as a frame. In the upper-right corner is a traditional arrow composed 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 softness and airiness.
1970 – 1999
The graphic is based on the 1930 logo and depicts an empty circle with an arrow outlined on both sides by thin lines. The company’s name is centered 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 with 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 graphite, there is now silver chrome, so the circle looks like part of a rim or another 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 circle’s right and left sides. 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 the background behind the word “Volvo.”
2020 – today (wordmark)
Since 2020, a text symbol has been used alongside the graphic symbol. It consists only of the engineering company’s name in black capital letters spaced far apart. Changes in texture and color have primarily driven the evolution of Volvo personal badges. 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 made the “shield and spear of Mars” difficult to recognize. Suddenly, an empty gap appeared in the round frame, which had always been 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 car brand’s name is traditionally written, but the letters lack the usual rectangular base. The word and geometric elements are painted black, not the most saturated shade.
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. Among modern options, Besley and Clarendon Bold by 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 upward-pointing arrow 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 its 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 upward-pointing arrow. This symbol has historical roots and represents the planet Mars and the Roman god of war, Mars. It is an ancient iron symbol that highlights 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 represents the brand’s commitment to creating durable, reliable cars. An upward-pointing arrow indicates forward movement and progress.