Autoblog

Will the 2011 Charger wear a new Dodge emblem? [w/poll]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Dodge

Take a close look at the entire lineup of 2009 and 2010 Dodge cars and trucks and you'll notice one thing they all have in common: the Dodge emblem is represented as a Ram's head. So what's the problem? While you could spend hours debating the merits of its recent strategy, the Chrysler Mothership has chosen to separate the Dodge brand into separate car and truck entities, and the newly launched Ram Truck brand will soldier on using that same Ram Head. Which means Dodge needs a new identity.

The first step Chrysler took to create a new corporate identity for Dodge was a new logo that will be used in marketing materials, but it won't serve as an actual emblem on the vehicles. There's plenty of online speculation as to what Dodge will use as its next emblem, or if it will in fact choose to go... um, naked. So far, all the spy shots of 2011 Dodge models have been seen sans logo or emblem, sporting only the Dodge name spelled out with individual chrome lettering.

So, what does all of this mean? Well... we really have no idea. But we're interested in hearing what you all have to say. Take a good look at the potential new emblem on the right and then take part in our entirely unscientific poll below.

View Poll

[Source: Allpar.com]

Will the 2011 Charger wear a new Dodge emblem? [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Subaru letting owners show loyalty, hobbies with free badge program

Chris Shunk — Fri, 28 May 2010 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Subaru

Have you seen those Subaru commercials that feature mud-covered Outbacks? You know, the ones where they talk about the thick layer of terra firma as a badge of honor? Well, if you don't like your Subie to stay filthy for long, Subaru has another way to showcase your honor and brand loyalty. We're talking real badges, baby.

As shown at right, the main, circular badge tells the world how many Subarus you've owned, followed by your choice of over a dozen badges that show what sports or hobbies you engage in. As you can see in the main image above, merit badges include the 100,000 mile club, mechanical prowess, gardening, biking and winter sports. The badges have an adhesive backing so they can be easily affixed to any metal surface. And if you don't have a Subaru but think you can buy the badges because they look cool, think again. Proof of ownership via Vehicle Identification Number is required to score your free stick-on schwag. Head over to the Subaru Badge of Ownership site to peruse the options. Thanks for the tip, Keye!

[Source: Subaru]

Subaru letting owners show loyalty, hobbies with free badge program originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 May 2010 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All-singing, all-dancing car emblems warp our fragile little minds [w/video]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chevrolet, Ford, Humor, Design/Style

Dance, Mustang! Dance! - Click above to watch the video after the break

"There are thousands of products available to customize a car's performance or handling. There are even more products for unique interiors, exteriors, lights, and sounds. But, in the midst of all the products and kits out there, no one has been able to alter their car's emblem... until now." So says Emblem Alive, a newly created company that seeks to change the ~~face~~ fascia of motoring forevermore.

Actually, we have seen custom emblems before, but we'll let them get away with their statement anyway. 'Cause it's just that cool. Or something. Seriously, who wouldn't want a galloping, neighing Ford Mustang emblem on their brand-new ponycar from the Blue Oval? Or, ya know, a golden Bowtie that beats like The Heartbeat of America?

Let's play with the idea of a dancing and singing emblem a little bit, shall we? How about a growling Jaguar Leaper? Or a Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy that pops up from the grille (oh, wait) and speaks in the most pretentious voice you can come up with: "My other car is a Veyron" as it dances like a dashboard-mounted novelty hula girl. A Ram 1500 that proudly declares 'Yeah, it's got a Hemi.' Our personal pick: a Z-car emblem that whispers "Black Gold."

"The choices are amazing. The possibilities are endless." Why yes, they are. And don't you worry. A spitting Cobra is reportedly in the works.

By the way, we're well aware that Thursday is April 1st, and this could very well be an extremely elaborate joke intended to make us all look foolish. That said, somebody sure went to a whole heck of a lot of trouble if that's the case. We want to believe, we really do. You will too - just click past the break to watch the video and read the press release. All your dreams will come true. Trust us.

[Source: Emblem Alive]

Continue reading All-singing, all-dancing car emblems warp our fragile little minds [w/video]

All-singing, all-dancing car emblems warp our fragile little minds [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi makes subtle changes to its four-ringed emblem

Noah Joseph — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Audi

The four-ringed logo has been in use since the Auto Union days back in the 1930s, so we wouldn't expect Audi to go changing it too drastically, but it has given the logo a fresh take to mark the occasion of the company's centenary.

Following the lead taken by other automakers, the subtly revised Audi logo is more chrome-tastic and three-dimensional than the one it replaces. The Audi name has also changed to a more conventional font instead of the backswept typeface, and the name, when appearing next to the ring emblem, has moved away from the center to the bottom left corner. A subtle change, for sure, but a change nonetheless. Click on the thumbnails below to compare the old and new emblems to discern the differences for yourself.

Gallery: Updated Audi Logo

Audi makes subtle changes to its four-ringed emblem originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Greenwash to End All Greenwashing? GM reportedly pondering changing logo color

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Green, Marketing/Advertising, GM

2010 Chevy Spark - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has certainly been pumping out a greener message for the last few years, but, on the eve of its likely emergence from bankruptcy, it looks like it might be ridiculously difficult to miss the company's shift to a new and very public eco-mindset: The General's traditional blue square logo could become green. No, really.

While no official decision has yet been made, insiders are saying that the background color change is being considered, "in an effort to show consumers that it is leaner and greener, more focused on fuel efficiency and better able to make quick decisions," says MSNBC.

The fuel efficiency meaning of a possible new green logo is easy to understand and the "quick decisions" part reflects a new GM that will likely have 35 percent fewer executives to go along with fewer employees overall. More announcements on these issues and the fate of the Spark minicar could come tomorrow, when GM is expected to emerge from bankruptcy.

The real color change that GM needs to make, of course, is a shift from red to black - but that's significantly harder than swapping pixels in a logo.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Chevy Spark

[Source: MSNBC | Logo Image: Adam Morath/AOL]

The Greenwash to End All Greenwashing? GM reportedly pondering changing logo color originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:27:00 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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UPDATE: Mercury logo plans

Dan Roth — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 19:55:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Trends, Etc., Mercury

These are the issues that define our times. Forget the volatile price and supply of oil, an economy teetering between robust growth and rampant inflation, worldwide strife. What really matters is whether Mercury will make a change from the "waterfall" stylized M logo to something more retro. Well, our Deep Throat inside Ford has dashed any hopes of seeing the "Winged Messenger" return. Rather than get all distracted with shifting the marketing plan, Lincoln-Mercury is hard at work getting the product right. Can't say we blame them.

You could always hire a local airbrush artist to do up a hood-size mural of your favorite Mercury logo in "screaming chicken" fashion. eBay also has vintage Mercury emblems. You could find one from your favorite era and affix it right over the top of that waterfall, if you so choose. The dream was fun while it lasted; for a retro-advertising treat, click the image above. Careful, you could lose hours of productivity revelling in the over-saturated Cleaverness. Our favorite is the '66 Park Lane. What a beast! Put a pair of glasspacks on it and go rumbling around the Dairy Queen at 5 mph - we can't wait for summer.

UPDATE: Mercury logo plans originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Jan 2007 19:55:00 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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