Logo changes are always a big deal since they have a significant impact on a company or brand. Depending on the design, they can be exciting, or they can be disastrous. The automotive industry is an excellent example of companies that heavily relies on the use of logos.
Over the years, we’ve seen different logos introduced by the automotive industry. And these logos are often used as an important marketing tool, making the company easier to identify. Unfortunately, some automotive manufacturers have made logo changes that were mistaken.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the most famous automotive manufacturer logo changes that were mistaken. We’ll also explore why these changes failed and what the companies could have done differently.
Automotive Manufacturer Logos That Were Changed and Why They Failed
Some of the most famous automotive manufacturer logo changes were made by BMW, Audi, and Kia. However, there are many other automotive companies that are known to redesign their already attractive logos. These companies made changes to their logos that were supposed to modernize them or make them more appealing to a wider audience. But these changes backfired, and the companies received a lot of backlash from the public. Here are some of the most popular automotive manufacturer logos that were a failure.
BMW changed its logo in 2020, and the new logo was met with criticism. The company had been using a circular logo for many years, and the new logo was much more abstract. The new logo showcased a more minimalistic look, consisting of a transparent band with the iconic blue and white center.
Chevrolet also received a lot of criticism when it changed its logo in 2010. The new logo was supposed to be more modern and sleek, but many people thought it looked cheap and tacky.
Fiat made a similar mistake when it changed its logo in 2015. The new logo was much more minimalist, and many people thought it looked boring.
Volkswagen is another car company that is known for its logo changes. The company has changed its logo several times, and the most recent change was in 2019. Just like other automotive companies, Volkswagen also adopted a more minimalist design – incorporating a 2D look instead of the traditional 3D logo. The new logo was met with mixed reviews, but many people thought it looked too similar to other car logos.
Kia also has its share of car logos that became a mistake. While other automotive companies decided to go for a minimalist look by turning their original logos into a simple 2D version, Kia tried to redesign the logo entirely. In 2019, Kia introduced a completely redesigned logo that was inspired by the company’s name. The new logo still has the brand color, but it does not spell out each letter compared to the old version. The new logo showcases the word Kia in a unique way. The letters are connected to each other, and the space in between the letters is used to create a negative space image of the world. However, this new logo was not received well by everyone, and some people thought it looked too busy and complicated.
Audi is another car company that has made some logo changes over the years. The company’s current logo is a very simple and sleek design. However, this wasn’t always the case. In the past, Audi had a much more complex logo that still featured four interlocking rings. This logo was supposed to represent the company’s four founding brands – Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer. Audi changed its logo into a minimalistic design, which is perceived as “too simple” by the public.
These are the car companies that made logo changes that were a mistake. Despite having an attempt to improve the style and appeal of their logo, the results are not what they have predicted.
What These Companies Could Have Done Differently
These companies could have avoided making these mistakes by doing more research into public opinion. They also could have considered a lot more factors in branding and design before making any changes. Additionally, they could have been more conservative with their changes instead of making such drastic alterations to their logos.
Despite the fact that these companies made some mistakes with their logo changes, they are still successful businesses.
These companies made changes to their logos that were supposed to modernize them or make them more appealing to a wider audience. However, these changes backfired, and the companies received a lot of backlash from the public. In some cases, the companies had to revert back to their original logos. They should have kept their original logos or at least made minor changes that would be more palatable to the public.
They should have also realized that a logo is not just a visual representation of a company – it’s also a symbol that has emotional meaning for customers. When these companies made drastic changes to their logos, they alienated many of their loyal customers who had strong attachments to the old logos.
Final Thoughts
Automotive manufacturers have been changing their logos for years, but not all of these changes have been successful. In this article, we looked at some automotive companies that made logo changes that were mistakes and what these companies could have done differently to avoid backlash from the public. Despite making mistakes with their logo changes, these companies are still successful businesses. However, they could have benefitted from more research into public opinion and a more conservative approach to change. Ultimately, it’s important for companies to realize that change is not always good – sometimes, it’s best to leave things the way they are.