hyundai Logo - History, Design, and Meaning
Company Overview
Hyundai, or Hyundai Motor Company, is a renowned Korean automaker established in 1967. Today, it has become one of the largest automobile manufacturers in Asia. In addition to affordable and luxury cars, Hyundai also produces engines and vehicle parts used by many other brands worldwide.
Key Information
- Founded: 1967
- Founder(s): Chung Ju-yung
- Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
hyundai Logo Meaning and History
One of the most intriguing auto badges is the one Hyundai adopted in the early 1990s. At first glance, the brand's logo appears to be a simple letter enclosed in an oval frame, but it symbolizes two people shaking hands. The silhouettes of the customer and seller, reflecting their satisfaction with the deal, form the iconic 'H.' Prior to the current logo, the company underwent several design changes.
What is Hyundai?
Hyundai is one of the largest automating companies in South Korea, which was established in 1967, and today successfully operates not only in the Asian market but all our the globe. Apart from mass-market models, the portfolio of the company includes luxury cars, commercial vehicles, electro mobiles, and engines.
The emblem created for the Korean brand in 1969 featured a monochrome design with the 'HD' monogram in a custom typeface placed on a trapezoid with rounded upper corners and sharpened lower ones. The Hyundai 'H' had its right vertical bar elongated and bent to the right at the top, with the end pointed. This image was set against a white background and enclosed in a thin black circular frame.
In 1970, the abstract car contour with the 'HD' lettering was slightly refined. Both elements were reduced in size, and the circular frame was changed to a horizontally stretched oval, which would reappear in Hyundai's visual identity with the modern emblem in 1990.
The logo displayed in the image features a bold, monochromatic design with the initials 'HD' in a stark black and white color scheme. The letters are encased within a double-framed rectangular border that adds depth and emphasis to the design. The 'H' and 'D' share a common vertical line, symbolizing connection and cohesion. The 'D' is uniquely designed with a semicircular form that aligns seamlessly with the straight lines of the 'H,' suggesting a fusion of different elements into a harmonious whole.
In 1980, Hyundai completely revamped its visual identity, creating a new logo and adopting a fresh, intense color palette. The smooth lines of the initial version were replaced with straight geometry, featuring a horizontally placed rectangle with bold blue 'HD' lettering on the left and the company's name in Korean to the right of the monogram. The blue and white color scheme enhanced the logo's appeal and recognizability, while the straight shapes conveyed professionalism and reliability.
The first version of the iconic Hyundai logo we recognize today debuted in 1990 and remains in use. The company incorporated elements from previous designs, resulting in a successful combination. The new logo featured an oval frame and a slanted bold letter 'H' enclosed within it. The color palette remained blue and white, with the shade of blue becoming deeper and darker.
In 2003, the smooth, elegant emblem of Hyundai was complemented by a modern and stylish logotype placed to its right, rendered in uppercase using a custom sans-serif typeface with clean lines and rounded angles. The 'N' in the wordmark was the only lowercase letter but matched the size of the neighboring capitals.
In 2011, Hyundai transitioned to a three-dimensional design, introducing a voluminous silver emblem instead of the flat blue version. The lines and logotype remained unchanged, but the gradient glossy metallic shade gave the entire image a more airy and fresh appearance. However, this badge was officially used for only six years.
The logo depicted in the image is a sleek and modern emblem, consisting of a stylized, abstract shape that could be interpreted as a letter or symbol. It features bold black curves interlocking with negative white space to form a harmonious and balanced figure within a circular outline. The interplay of curved elements and the contrast between black and white create a dynamic impression of perpetual movement and innovation. This logo's simple yet powerful design represents a company that prides itself on modernity, sophistication, and a forward-thinking approach to its industry.
The Hyundai logotype is set in mixed-case using a futuristic and bold sans-serif typeface, similar to fonts like Lustra Semi Bold and Bank Sans SemiCond Bold. The letters have sharpened angles on one side and softened on the other, creating a unique mood that evokes a sense of motion and speed.
The color palette of the South Korean automaker is based on an intense shade of blue, which appears sleek and professional, representing the confidence and excellence of the company and its expertise in the industry.
Why did Hyundai change its logo?
Hyundai dramatically changed its logo at the beginning of the 1990s, with the bold geometric lettering in Japanese, following the simple emblem in a rectangular frame, replaced by a sleek and elegant slanted “H” inscribed into a trenches oval.
What is the Hyundai symbol supposed to be?
The Hyundai symbol is a stylized slanted letter “H” with softened contours and a slight inclination of the bars. The letter is enclosed into a horizontally-oriented oval, with the vertical bars merging with the contours of the frame. The badge of the automaker is usually depicted in dark blue.
What's the difference between a Honda and a Hyundai symbol?
's the difference between a Honda and a Hyundai symbol? There is a significant difference between the logos of two Asian automakers, Honda and Hyundai. The only similarity between the two badges is the capital letter “H” as the central element. In the Honda badge, the “H” is written straight and enclosed into a trapezoidal frame with rounded angles, while the Hyundai emblem depicts an italicized elegant “H” inscribed into an oval.
