Autoblog

Ferrari's Prancing Horse voted most iconic badge [w/POLL]

Noah Joseph — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Misc. Auto Shows, Ferrari, UK

The people have spoken. (Well, the British anyway. But they're people, too). And according to a public opinion survey, Ferrari has the most iconic badge among exotic automakers.

The poll in question was conducted by European telecom company Orange for the MPH Top Gear Live show, a sort of live-action performance car show held in car-crazed England. Ferrari was identified far and away as the most recognizable of car logos, garnering nearly half the votes. Aston Martin came in second with a quarter of the votes, edging out Lamborghini, Bugatti and Porsche, while Maserati, Spyker, Lotus, Koenigsegg and Pagani rounding out the rest of the top ten with small shares of the votes.

The numbers go to show that while the Prancing Horse is still king, England's own Aston Martin has grown to eclipse some of the biggest power houses in terms of brand recognition. We wonder how long it will take McLaren's Nike-like tick logo, which appears as a motif repeatedly in the design of the new MP4-12C supercar unveiled today, to rise up the ranks, too. We also wonder how American car fans would vote differently from our former colonial masters, and we're wondering if the survey takers were given a limited number of choices, or if the poll specifically targeted performance marques. After all, aren't workaday emblems like Ford's Blue Oval or Chevrolet's Bowtie more recognizable, or even Blighty's own Rolls-Royce's Double R logo?

In any case, we've started a performance badge poll of our own and thrown in the Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper sub-brands (together with McLaren) for good measure. Follow the jump to cast your vote and read the press release with full figures after the jump.

[Source: MPH]

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Ferrari's Prancing Horse voted most iconic badge [w/POLL] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz celebrates iconic centennial with special CL550

Noah Joseph — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Mercedes-Benz, Specialty

Mercedes-Benz CL550 "100 Years of Mercedes-Benz Edition" - Click above for a high-res image gallery

While so many other automakers have reinvented their logos over the years, Mercedes-Benz has stuck with the same one for 100 years now. One century ago, Daimler-Motoren-Gesselschaft went down to the local patent office and registered the Three-Pointed Star, the logo everyone knows and recognizes today. Just a few weeks later, August Benz & Cie did the same with their logo, the Benz name encircled by a wreath. These two icons later became integrated when the two companies banded together, but to celebrate the anniversary of their registration, Mercedes-Benz has announced a new special edition of one of its most upscale coupes.

The CL550 4Matic features a number of special Designo and AMG touches inside (light tan perforated leather with contrasting stitching and grey accents, gilded brass emblems on the center console) and out (special dark gray paint, new aero kit, and five-spoke 20-inch anthracite wheels with silver brake calipers) to differentiate itself from its more common counterparts. The special edition is available on either the rear-drive or all-wheel-drive 4Matic models around the globe, but since Benz made 4Matic standard equipment on the CL550 in the States, we'll only get the grips-at-all-paws variety.

No word on American-market pricing, but the package commands a hefty €17,850 ($23k USD) premium in Europe. Nobody said celebrating came cheap. Details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: "100 Years of Mercedes-Benz Edition" CL550

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

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Mercedes-Benz celebrates iconic centennial with special CL550 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sunday Poll: Lambo logo showdown

Alex Nunez — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Supercars, Lamborghini

After the G419 Invitational ended last Sunday, I was outside BSing with Davey G. Johnson (the erstwhile Jalop, friend of Autoblog, and all-around great guy) as we looked over the cars that still remained parked in the GPNY lot. The front row contained both a Gallardo Roadster and a spanking new LP560-4, while row two was home to a silver Diablo SV. We were going over the SV, commenting on how it's aged rather well, when Davey noted something that inspired this particular post.

"Look at that," he said, pointing at the all-lowercase, italicized, block-letter 'lamborghini' badge on the Diablo's rear deck. "That would look so much better on the new cars." The new-school Lambos, as you're all aware, wear the cursive 'Lamborghini' on their tails. Davey and I walked over to the LP560, eyeballed it, and returned to the SV. I have to say, I'm with him on this one. Those lowercase block letters are like Countach-flavored exoticar comfort food, and they'd look perfect on the angular modern Lambos. Then again, maybe the happy medium would be to split the difference and go with this classic.

In any case, let's put it to a vote:

View Poll

Gallery: Lamborghini Diablo SV

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4

Sunday Poll: Lambo logo showdown originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Nov 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intelligent Design: The evolution of the car logo

Michael Harley — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:26:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology

Automotive logos, those quasi-interesting designs that adorn the front and back of nearly every vehicle in the road, are more than just haphazard enameled scribbles. If you ask the marketing team, they will correctly tell you that each automotive logo symbolizes the tradition, culture, and history of the automaker it represents. (Don't ask the accounting department, which will just tell you it represents millions of dollars in design costs for haphazard enameled scribbles.)

After following a tip from a reader, we stumbled upon a site that offers excellent insight into the historical development of many popular automotive insignias, like Volkswagen's logo above. Take a look here. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: Neatorama]

Intelligent Design: The evolution of the car logo originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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John Cooper Works relaunched under same white roof as MINI, new logo unveiled

Noah Joseph — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Hatchback, BMW, Mini

click above to view more JCW-related MINI images

Back in December of 2006, we reported that BMW had officially acquired the John Cooper Works garage with the intent of making it the MINI brand's official performance label, much like the M division is to BMW. Over a year later, Munich has finally relaunched the JCW division, which is headlined by the evolutionary new logo you see here.

The rebranding of JCW is more than an exercise in badge engineering, however. The new effort draws on the decades-long heritage that has been shared between Cooper and MINI, starting with the first MINI that F1 engineer John Cooper tuned and continuing through the resuscitation of the MINI brand by BMW to today's rapidly expanding second-gen range. John's son Mike Cooper continues on as chief executive to oversee JCW's activities under the Bavarian wing, which will include products for both road and track.

In addition to the one-make John Cooper Works CHALLENGE racing series (spec car shown above), JCW will also continue to offer the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit as well as a catalogue of individual components for the top-of-the-line Cooper S versions of the MINI hatch, convertible and Clubman. The bottom line is that with JCW under the same white roof, MINI can now offer even more packages and options than the gazillion choices already in store for buyers, all with full factory backing.

BMW released a bunch of retro-licious MINI Cooper JCW pics, which we've put into the gallery below along with descriptions of what you're looking at. The official BMW/MINI press release can also be found after the jump.

[Source: MINI]

Gallery: MINI John Cooper Works

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John Cooper Works relaunched under same white roof as MINI, new logo unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat Light Commercial Vehicles goes Professional

Noah Joseph — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 07:39:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Work

It's been a period of big changes for Fiat's commercial truck division recently. First the brand gained independent incorporation in the restructuring of the Fiat Group, and now the division is getting a new name and image. What was incorporated just a few months ago as Fiat Light Commercial Vehicles is now being re-named Fiat Professional.

Along with the more serious moniker, Fiat Professional is getting a new badge. The logo pictured above is based on the Fiat badge revealed on the new Bravo, spruced up for the commercial division by Robilant Associati, the same marketing consultants that collaborated with the Italian industrial giant on the creation of the new Fiat logo revealed last October.

The name change and new logo aren't likely to change anything concrete for Fiat's light truck and van division, aside from giving it a more professional image with which to stand up to the competition. Nor is the image shift expected to have any implications for Iveco, Fiat's more heavy-duty truck subsidiary.

[Source: Just Autos]

Fiat Light Commercial Vehicles goes Professional originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 07:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One badge to rule them all: Chevy to unify model names globally

John Neff — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 18:03:00 EST

Filed under: Chevrolet

General Motors has proven it should be taken seriously in its efforts to harmonize its many global outposts into a single, coherent unit. The Opel-ifying of Saturn is the most obvious example, but Chevy, which is enjoying increased popularity in Europe, wants in on the globalization action, too. AutoWeek reports that GM's everyman brand wants to commonize its nameplates globally over the next couple of years. Right now the brand sells same models in various regions under different monikers. Our Chevy Aveo, for instance, is called the Kalos in Europe and the Lova in China. When Chevy introduces a brand new small car around the end of the decade, it will be known as the Aveo everywhere it's sold.

GM also plans to unify the marketing strategies and retail systems that sells Chevy brand vehicles worldwide. When the new Aveo was introduced around the world in 2006, for instance, it was accompanied in India by the slogan "An Indian Revolution", an obvious play on Chevy's own tagline here in the States, "An American Revolution". In the future, a global marketing council for Chevy with reps from each of the four biggest regions will decide on a unified brand message.

[Source: Autoweek via Winding Road]

One badge to rule them all: Chevy to unify model names globally originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Mar 2007 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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POLL: Should Pontiac change its logo?

John Neff — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Pontiac

Seems like more than a few automakers still believe that little tweaks can have a big impact. Consider all the hoopla over Ford reviving the Taurus and Sable names. Likewise, Pontiac actually unveiled a new concept logo at the Chicago Auto Show last week that could be found between the nostril-like grilles of the new G8 sedan. Unlike the current logo that's been around for as long as we can remember, the new one is monochromatic with a bezel of chrome that surrounds a textured silver inlay. Pontiac says the logo on the G8 is technically a concept, and that reaction to it by the public will be gauged to determine whether or not a change is called for. No doubt some will decry the lack of that passtionate red in the logo's center that has been Pontiac's unofficial-official color. Unfortunately, the red never made Pontiac any more passionate of a brand, so perhaps clinging to it for sentimental reasons is a bit silly. So we want to know (and we're sure Pontiac does, too) whether or not you like the new logo.

POLL: Should Pontiac change its logo? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Feb 2007 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Presto Change-o: Fiat switching badges...again

Noah Joseph — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 18:03:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Etc., Europe, Marketing/Advertising

Fiat's been changing badges like Williams.F1 changes engine suppliers (and drivers, and management, and sponsors, and tires...). Now apparently the Italian auto giant is considering swapping logos yet again, for the 16th time.

Apparently Fiat's design chief saw the sun reflecting off the sign at the factory and was inspired to draw up this new badge. The design seems to retain a little bit of Fiat's considerable heritage in the lettering, while incorporating more modern shapes and shading. The shape of the inner section even seems to hint slightly at what's becoming the automaker's new corporate grille, first seen on the Grande Punto, ostensibly showing up on the new Linea sedan, and now carrying over to the new Bravo hatch on which the new logo is to make its debut.

While a new emblem is a quick way to refresh a brand's image, there's something to be said for a constant icon to consistently represent the marque.

For a gallery of historic Fiat badges, click here.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Presto Change-o: Fiat switching badges...again originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Oct 2006 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Surprise! Ford buys Rover name from BMW

John Neff — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 13:08:00 EST

Filed under: China, BMW, Ford

Ford informed BMW today that it would be exercising its right to buy the Rover name from the German automaker and also announced that it will not be putting it up for sale. The Detroit automaker purchased Land Rover from BMW in 2000 and has since had the option to buy the Rover name or at least first refusal rights if BMW tried to sell the name to a third party. Well, that's exactly what BMW tried to do and had reportedly arranged a deal already with Chinese automaker Shanghai Automotive Corp. (SAIC) for the Rover name. From the rubble of the MG Rover collapse, SAIC emerged with the design rights for a pair of Rover models, the Rover 25 and 75. Looks like they won't be calling them Rovers anymore.

Why would Ford go out and spend more money when its North American operations are operating in the red? It looks to us like Ford is planning to sit on the Rover for a while. Clearly the automaker doesn't want the brand prestige of the Land Rover threatened by Chinese-built cars bearing the Rover name, and was left the choice of either buying the name now or allowing SAIC to scoop it up. Whether Ford will do anything with the Rover name in the future remains to be seen, but for now it will likely be put in a drawer and forgot about. However, with SAIC having invested millions of dollars in its quest to revive the Rover brand, Ford now has the Chinese automaker over a barrel. Though it claims it won't, Ford could end up selling the name to SAIC and turning a tidy profit.

[Source: Reuters]

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Surprise! Ford buys Rover name from BMW originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Sep 2006 13:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Do you dig Pontiac's concept logo?
	Yeah, it's time for a change!
	No, where's the red?