peugeot Logo - History, Design, and Meaning

The Peugeot logo dates back to 1847, making it the oldest car emblem in the world. The idea of the lion as the brand's symbol originated in the mid-1800s when the Peugeot family's steel business needed a logo that reflected the company's activity and strength. The lion also served as a heraldic symbol for the commune from which the Peugeot family hailed.

Throughout its history, the Peugeot logo has undergone numerous changes, but the lion has always remained a central element.

In 1810, the Peugeot family decided to adopt the image of a lion for their company's logo. The sharp teeth of the lion represented the strength of the brand's steel products and the company's durability.

The Peugeot brothers hired a jeweler to design the emblem, ultimately choosing a lion standing on an arrow from several designs. The logo was registered as the company's trademark in 1858 and was modernized to fit within a coat of arms-shaped frame.

In 1925, the logo was redrawn in black and accompanied by a rectangular black banner. The banner featured a white uppercase wordmark written in an extra-bold sans-serif typeface with massive clean-contoured letters, evoking a sense of confidence and professionalism.

Starting in 1948, the Peugeot logo began to be placed on car bonnets, and the emblematic lion was redesigned. This new icon was inspired by the Franche-Comté coat of arms and was placed on a shield with a rounded rectangular frame.

In 1955, the brand reverted to a shield-style frame for its logo. The lion stood on its legs, and the Peugeot wordmark was integrated into the logo, positioned above the lion's head.

The logo underwent a dramatic change in 1960, featuring a more three-dimensional image of a lion's head with a thick mane. The wordmark was placed atop the head, and the logo retained a coat of arms resemblance. The lettering became bolder with distinct lines, and the color shifted closer to copper.

The subsequent logo was a simplified version of the previous one, depicting a flat lion's head with a color scheme ranging from gold to chrome. This minimalist design contrasted with earlier logos but conveyed a modern and strong appearance.

The famous 'Lion outline' logo was introduced, featuring a futuristic representation of the Lion Rampant. The silver silhouette was placed on a black background, with a ridge line adding volume and energy. In 1976, blue replaced black, making the logo more vivid and bright.

In 1998, the lion grew larger and gained paws, symbolizing the company's power. A white-silver lion was positioned on a blue square above the brand nameplate. The wordmark's lettering was bold with clear straight lines and a black shadow.

The 3D effect was enhanced by a metallic color palette, with the lion's silhouette appearing confident and stable, while the wordmark was executed in fine, elegant blue lines.

The Lion Rampant in the Peugeot emblem represents power and loyalty, a popular heraldic symbol in both Scotland and France. 'Rampant' refers to the lion's position—standing on two hind legs with its forelegs raised, facing left. The lion itself symbolizes courage and majesty.

The Peugeot emblem celebrates modern design while remaining a classic and timeless icon. It presents a confident and bold image, with a metallic color palette that adds reliability and trust to the brand.