Symbolic changes

In the 10 years since Automotive News Europe was born, Mini’s wings got shorter, Fiat added a wreath and GM replaced a clamshell with a bowtie

Daewoo/Chevrolet

In early 2005, Chevrolet’s famous bowtie (right) replaced the silver, fan-like logo on sister GM-brand Daewoo’s models sold in western Europe. Chevrolet founder Henry Leland conceived the bowtie logo, which has been used on Chevys since 1913.

Fiat

The Italian company has had 14 different badges since its launch in 1899. The five slanted bars (left) adopted in 1982 represented Fiat group’s five industrial interests. Today’s symbol was introduced on the Punto in 1999 as part of Fiat’s 100th birthday.

Mini

Like the current car, which arrived in 2001, the Mini badge is a recognizable modernization. In the old badge (left) the “M” was larger whereas the letters are now all the same size. The new logo’s wings are also shorter.

Seat

The VW-owned Spanish automaker decided it needed “a new corporate identity for the new millennium.” A design agency was called in, and at the 1999 Geneva auto show the “S” with 3 slashes (left) gave way to a more rounded “S” with 2 slashes.

You can reach Ian Morton at autonews@crain.com.