Volkswagen is a popular car brand that was founded in Germany in 1937 as a people’s car. Today, it is arguably the largest automobile company in the world, with a few marquee brands under its control. The article delves into the evolution of its logo over the years.
The Genesis of the Volkswagen Logo (1937–1939)
The original logo featured a cogwheel like structure having two letters “V” and “W” atop each other. It could be argued to be the graphical representation of a swastika symbol.
(1939 – 1945)
The logo redesign of 1939 consisted of two interlocking letters—a V over a W enclosed in a circle. This clean, straightforward design with sans-serif font stood for Volks-Wagen, or literally the “people’s car” in German. The enclosed circle symbolised the tyres of the automobile. With the onset of World War II, Volkswagen had to halt civilian automobile production and divert manufacturing to military vehicles. However, the logo remained the same through uncertain times during the war.
Post-War Reconstruction (1945–1948)
After the war ended in 1945, the British took over Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg factory. Under their management, Volkswagen was revived through the mass production of the Type 1 Beetle. This affordable car became widely successful in postwar Germany. As Volkswagen entered a new era focused on rebuilding, their logo was updated in 1948. The intertwined VW letters became more boldly angular with thicker strokes. This exuded a more substantial, grounded feel, fitting for the brand’s revival. The enclosed circle was made flatter so the emblem could serve better as a hood ornament. This evolution showed adaptation of the logo for functional purposes beyond just branding.
(1948 – 1960)
In 1948, the logo iteration did away with the previous colour palette and brought back the monochrome black and white. Here, the contours of the letters were slightly refined and the space between them reduced as well. Also, the interior border of the roundel was accentuated.
A Decade of Global Expansion (1960–1967)
In 1960, Volkswagen finalised the iconic logomark still recognised today: detached VW letters contained within a separate, lighter blue circle. This vibrant new emblem was introduced by advertising executive Julian Koenig. As Volkswagen rapidly expanded worldwide through the 1960s, the modernised logo became integral to their global marketing.
It’s fun, eye-catching simplicity made it easily adaptable across print, TV, signage, and more. Also, the square frame in monochrome reflected the stability and power of the brand. Besides, separating the letters from the circle added dimension. The logo’s symbolism evolved from a focus on engineering to styling and customer care.
(1967–1978)
While retaining their iconic logo, Volkswagen made minor adaptations to keep pace with the digital design technology of the 1970s and 1980s. More precise proportions and tones were introduced in the emblem. The 1970s energy crisis and economic recession challenged auto manufacturers like Volkswagen. However, their strong branding buoyed them through volatile market conditions.
The Volkswagen logo came to represent resilience as well as innovation. Besides, the Volkswagen culture of unconventional thinking influenced the iteration of its logo.
(1978 – 1989)
In this renewed logo design, the emblem was refined by doubling the border. The size of the letter “V” was reduced as well. Also, the geometric letters in white were placed on a vibrant blue background.
(1989–1995)
With increasing globalisation in the 1990s, Volkswagen tailored its branding and logos for regional markets. Localized variations were introduced while retaining brand consistency worldwide. Digital design advancements allowed Volkswagen to create sleek emblem renditions.
Crisper definition and bolder colours boosted the visual impact of the iconic logo. Beyond the standard blue and black, Volkswagen began producing full-colour versions of their logo for greater flexibility across media and contexts. The logo could now be dynamically adapted while remaining instantly recognizable.
(1995-2000)
In the logo redesign of 1995, the iconic roundel shaped badge embraced a shade of blue as its colour palette. The letters “V” and “W” seem to have emanated seamlessly from the interior frame in white and set against a blue background. The background colour was quite darker than the previous version, which made the emblem look serious and professional.
(1999-2000)
The logo iteration of this era added gradient shades of blue to the background inside the roundel. This logo served as a transitional one between the flat variant and the 3D variant to be introduced one year hence.
(2000–2012)
In the 3D version of the Volkswagen logo, the white colour of the letters and the interior border inside the roundel got a silver tone. At the same time, the sky-blue background became a lot more intense. The logo variant looked powerful thanks to its balanced proportions.
(2012-2020)
The logo redesign of this period saw the accentuation of the 3D effect against the reduction in size of the emblem. The logo evoked a sense of strength and confidence due to the presence of sharp and bold letters.
(2019 – Today)
The current logo has a simple yet futuristic look and is designed to reflect the launch of electric cars. The two-dimensional design was brought back, which made the logo appear stylish and high-end.
Future Prospects
As Volkswagen evolves to meet future mobility needs, they may make subtle changes to their logo while retaining its iconic essence. More modern, digital-friendly styling could be on the horizon. Volkswagen is committed to innovating both technologically and environmentally. Their branding will likely continue to reflect these priorities towards sustainability and green transportation. The role of logos is increasing in the digital interface. Volkswagen may optimise its emblem for digital media, augmented reality, and interactive customer experiences.
The Elements of the Logo
With its simple yet iconic design, the Volkswagen emblem is instantly recognisable around the world. The round logo consists of two letters—a “V” placed over a “W”—enclosed within a circle. The letters stand for “Volks,” meaning “people” in German, and “Wagen,” meaning “car.” Together, they form the name Volkswagen. The classic colour scheme pairs white lettering against a blue background. The crisp, straightforward palette conveys the Volkswagen brand’s values of professionalism, stability, and quality manufacturing.
While the logo has evolved over the company’s history, its essential form was established at the very beginning. The enclosed VW lettering has endured as the visual symbol of Volkswagen since its founding, representing the brand’s heritage as the original “People’s Car.” Though details have shifted, the emblem’s straightforward design brilliantly encapsulates the spirit of this iconic brand.
Font
The Volkswagen logo employs a distinctive, custom sans-serif font for its lettering. Unlike many auto brands, there is no full company name written alongside the emblem. However, the individual letters “V” and “W” have been integral to Volkswagen’s branding since the beginning. Interestingly, the “V” is rendered slightly smaller than the “W” in size. This subtle detail may symbolise the greater importance of the “people,” represented by the “V” for “Volks,” in comparison to the “car” or “Wagen,” depicted by the “W.” The off-balanced letters put extra emphasis on the human element that has always been core to Volkswagen’s “People’s Car” ethos. Through this customised, minimalist typography and strategic relative sizing, the Volkswagen logo font visually encapsulates the essence of the brand.
Colour
While some variations have emerged over time, Volkswagen’s logo colour palette has predominantly consisted of classic black-and-white or blue-and-white schemes. The earliest iterations were monochromatic, with black lettering set against a white background or vice versa. Later on, light blue was incorporated as the background colour, adding a vibrant touch to the minimalist black and white lettering.
These crisp, timeless colour combinations reflect the understated elegance and reliability associated with the Volkswagen brand. The contrast between dark lettering and light background also ensures legibility and visual impact of the logo across diverse applications. Though occasional departures have occurred, Volkswagen largely stays true to the iconic colour choices that have defined its branding for decades. The logo’s classic, two-tone palette continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Interesting Facts About Volkswagen
- The company was founded under the watch of Adolf Hitler in 1937 by the German Labour Front.
- It is the world’s biggest carmaker.
- Owns many car brands, such as Audi, Bugatti, Bentley, Porsche, Lamborghini, Seat, and Skoda.
- The first car company to install seat belts as standard equipment.
- It is the innovator of diesel engines.
- The prototype of the VW Beetle was designed by Ferdinand Porsche.
- The company owns the German football club VfL Wolfsburg.
The History of Volkswagen
The foundation of Volkswagen emerged from a new project started by the German Labour Front in 1937. Led by automotive engineer Ferdinand Porsche, the objective was to design an affordable, mass-produced “people’s car.” Porsche’s innovative rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive, air-cooled design for this Volkswagen formed the basis of the iconic Beetle. On May 28, 1937, the newly established “Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens mbH” (Company for the Preparation of the German Volkswagen Ltd.) formally started development.
In 1938, the company name changed to “Volkswagenwerk GmbH” as the main plant was constructed in Wolfsburg. However, World War II and forced integration into arms production prevented mass manufacturing of the “Volkswagen” or “people’s car.” Instead, military vehicles and armaments were produced using forced labour.
Volkswagen was ordered to restart car manufacture by the British occupying troops in 1945, as the war came to an end. Volkswagen became associated with West Germany’s “economic miracle” with the introduction of the Type 1 Beetle model in 1945 and the Type 2 Transporter in 1950.
Volkswagen launched creative and adaptable production techniques in the 1970s, after its 1960 joint-stock company status. This gave rise to a new series of vehicles, including the Passat, Scirocco, Golf, and Polo. The 1980s saw an acceleration of development due to innovative multinational alliances, flexible manufacturing techniques, and enhanced vehicle technology.
Finally
Over the past eight decades, the Volkswagen logo has been transformed from a technical drawing into one of the most recognisable brand emblems worldwide. This evolution reflects the incredible journey of the company. The distinct symbol of Volkswagen has stood for quality, innovation, resilience, and global community across eras. The past transformations of the Volkswagen logo will undoubtedly inspire future reinventions. However, its spirited original essence will endure by embodying the unique vision behind this “people’s car.”