The symbolism of stars has long dazzled humanity, representing power, divine guidance, and aspirations for greatness.
From ancient civilizations that saw gods in celestial bodies to modern nations that proudly display stars on their flags, these symbols have maintained their significance through the ages.
In the automotive industry, stars have become powerful emblems representing excellence, innovation, and the pursuit of perfection.
Active Manufacturers
Mercedes-Benz (Germany)
Perhaps the most recognizable star logo in automotive history, Mercedes-Benz’s three-pointed star has a fascinating origin story.
Gottlieb Wilhelm Daimler, one of the company’s founders, marked his house with a three-pointed star on a postcard to his sons.
The symbol later evolved to represent the company’s dominance in three transportation domains: land, sea, and air. Initially surrounded by a laurel wreath symbolizing victory, the star is now typically enclosed in a circle and has become synonymous with luxury and engineering excellence.
Subaru (Japan)
The name “Subaru” itself refers to the Pleiades star cluster in the Taurus constellation.
The company’s logo features six stars of varying sizes in silver on a blue background, representing the six companies that merged to form Fuji Heavy Industries (now Subaru Corporation).
Throughout the company’s history, the star motif has remained constant, with only minor modifications to colors and positioning.
Polestar (Sweden)
This Volvo-owned electric vehicle manufacturer uses a minimalist polar star logo formed by two intersecting arrows.
The design employs gray and white shades with a sophisticated shadow effect, aiming for a modern and premium appearance. Interestingly, the company faced legal challenges in France over the logo’s similarity to Citroën’s emblem, resulting in a ban and financial penalties.
Western Star (USA)
Founded in 1967 by William Signius Knudsen, this American truck manufacturer incorporates a red star within a large “W” in its logo.
The metallic finish and distinctive shine reflect the brand’s industrial heritage and commitment to durability.
Venucia (China)
A subsidiary of Dongfeng Nissan, Venucia’s name means “Morning Star.”
The brand’s logo evolved from five stars in blue and silver to a more streamlined design featuring two visible silver stars and one outline star on a blue background, symbolizing idealism, trust, and global aspirations.
Englon (China)
Launched in 2010 as a subsidiary of Geely, Englon’s logo combines blue stars with a goddess figure in fiery tones.
The design, which includes gold lettering, appears on vehicles including London taxi cabs following Geely’s acquisition of the London Taxi Company.
Historical Manufacturers
Jeep (USA)
During World War II, Jeep adopted a distinctive star logo as part of military identification.
When the United States exported vehicles before and during the war, they needed a way to distinguish American vehicles from enemy vehicles.
The solution was to add a star symbol, which was later enclosed in a circle using a special stencil. While Jeep has since moved to a simpler text-based logo, this star emblem remains an important part of its wartime heritage.
Pontiac (USA, defunct 2010)
A division of General Motors, Pontiac’s later logos featured a red downward-pointing arrow (known as the “Dart”) topped with a silver star, evolving from earlier designs that incorporated Native American imagery.
JAC (China, original logo)
Before switching to a simpler oval design, JAC was known for its red five-pointed star logo enclosed in a circle, symbolizing harmony and safety.
Askam (Turkey, defunct 2015)
This Turkish truck manufacturer used a star enclosed by lines within an oval, complemented by the company name.
Facel Vega (France, defunct 1964)
Active for just ten years, this luxury car manufacturer’s logo featured six stars along with red, yellow, black, and silver elements arranged in a circular design.
Berkeley (UK, defunct 1960)
This British sports car manufacturer’s logo incorporated five stars along its circular border, combined with red and gray colors and a prominent “B” in the center.
Durant Motors (USA, defunct 1931)
Founded by former General Motors executive William Durant, the company’s Star Four model (1922-1928) featured a distinctive blue logo with a star, shield, and dragon design.
Chrysler-Dodge (USA, historical logos)
The company has periodically incorporated stars in its branding, notably in 1962 with Robert Stanley’s five-pointed star design, and again in 2008 with a pentagonal star logo, before returning to simpler text-based designs.
Significance and Symbolism
In automotive logos, stars typically represent:
– Pursuit of excellence and innovation
– Reliability and protection
– Heritage and tradition
– Global reach and aspirations
– Technical precision and engineering prowess
The use of stars in automotive logos keeps evolving, with some manufacturers maintaining their historic star emblems while others move toward more minimalist designs. Whether representing celestial inspiration or technical excellence, star logos remain a powerful symbol in the automotive industry.
